Whole body health results when all body systems are in balance. No single body system is targeted. We make choices that keep all systems toxin-free and that supply all systems with optimum nutrition. The result is total wellness: waking up every day feeling great!
The digestive system is a 25 to 35 - foot - long hoselike structure. It receives food at one end, breaks it down into nutrients and absorbs the nutrients into the bloodstream for delivery to the cells. The eliminatory system helps maintain water and chemical balance and removes excess fluid and waste from the body.
The nervous system controls communication in the body. It comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. The brain is in close and constant communication with the entire nervous system.
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels. Through this system, blood circulates throughout the body. All body organs and tissues need a supply of blood to receive nutrition and to remove waste products. Heart disease is the biggest killer in North America.
The immune system is perhaps the "most important" body system when considering living well and maintaining good health. It is the army that protects us from invaders. It protects us from bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Its basic strategy is simple: recognize the enemy and attack.
The skeleton, made up of all the body's bones, provides strength, stability, and a frame for muscles to work against in producing movement. Bones are both strong enough to support our weight and light enough to allow us to move. They protect delicate internal organs and store important minerals.
Men and women have unique needs due to their unique physiology and both deserve special considerations. For many years, most medical and health-related research was done on men, and it was assumed that women have the same health problems and needs. We now realize that this is not true. The symptoms and progression of diseases differ between men and women.
Women have special needs for the minerals iron and calcium. There are also many herbs of special interest to women. Men should look to supplements such as pollen extracts, zinc, and ginkgo biloba. Although men and women have different concerns, the risk factors are often similar.
Seniors have special concerns and special needs. As we age, our bodies change. We don't have the same ability to repair tissue damage and build bones as we did in our youth. Appetite and the sense of taste often diminish, resulting in less than optimum nutrition. Disorders such as osteoporosis, memory loss, and cataracts, although not inevitable, become more likely.
Lifestyle makes a significant difference in our health. How we live has a direct impact on the overall quality of our lives. We are truly healthy when our bodies are healthy and when we have a positive effect on others and on the environment we inhabit. Taking responsibility for all aspects of our lives is a full-time job – but the rewards are great.
