Monthly Archives: October 2011

A Brief Description of the Eleven Major Organ Systems in the Body and Their Main Function

Posted on by
Reply



The eleven major organ systems, and brief descriptions of their functions, are as follows:

1. Integumentary - This system includes the skin and its appendages (hair, nails, and specialized sweat- and oil-producing glands). Its primary function is protection. For example, the skin protects the underlying tissue from invasion by harmful bacteria, bars entry of most chemicals, and minimizes the chances of mechanical injury to underlying structures.

2. Skeletal - The skeletal system includes bones and related tissues such as cartilage and ligaments, which provide the body with a rigid framework for support and protection. The skeletal system also makes possible the movements of body parts.

3. Muscular - The muscular system, consisting of the individual skeletal muscles, makes movement possible and generates the heat required for maintaining a constant core body temperature. Voluntary muscles are so called because their contractions are under conscious control. Involuntary or smooth muscle tissue is found in blood vessel walls, other tubular structures and in the lining of hollow organs such as the stomach and small intestine. Cardiac muscle is the specialized muscle tissue of the heart.

4. Nervous - The nervous system is composed of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. The nervous system makes possible communication between body functions, integration and control of body functions, and recognition of sensory stimuli.

5. Endocrine - The endocrine system is composed of specialized glands that secrete chemicals known as hormones directly into the blood. The organs of the endocrine system are sometimes called ductless glands. The endocrine system is similar to the nervous system in that it also provides communication, integration and control, but it does it in a slower and longer-lasting way by hormone secretion. Hormones are also the main regulators of metabolism, reproduction and other body activities. They play important roles in fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance and energy metabolism.

6. Cardiovascular (Circulatory) - The cardiovascular system includes the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries. The primary function of this system is transportation. Transportation needs include continuous movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide, nutrients, hormones, and other important substances. This system also helps regulate body temperature by distributing heat throughout the body and by assisting in retaining or releasing heat from the body by regulating blood flow near the body surface. Specialized cells of the circulatory system can also become involved in immunity.

7. Lymphatic - The lymphatic system is composed of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels and specialized lymphatic organs such as the tonsils, thymus and spleen. The lymph system moves fluids and certain large molecules from the tissue spaces around the cells and moves fat-related nutrients from the digestive tract back to the blood. It also plays a role in the functioning of the immune system, which is the defense mechanism of the body against disease.

8. Respiratory - The respiratory system includes the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. Its primary function is to permit the movement of air into the alveoli, which are the tiny thin-walled sacs of the lungs. In these sacs, oxygen from the air is exchanged for carbon dioxide, a waste product, which is then carried to the lungs by the blood so that it can be eliminated from the body. The respiratory system is also involved in regulating the acid-base balance of the body.

9. Digestive - The digestive system is composed of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anal canal (primary organs), as well as the teeth, salivary glands, tongue, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and appendix (secondary organs). All of the organs of the digestive system work together to ensure proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.

10. Urinary - The urinary system includes kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The primary function of this system is the elimination of waste from the body. Other organs of the body are also involved in the elimination of body wastes, such as the lungs and skin.

11. Reproductive (consisting of a male subdivision and a female subdivision) – The reproduction system is composed of gonads (testes), vas deferens, prostate, penis and scrotum in the male, and gonads (ovaries), uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina and mammary glands in the female. The purpose of this system is the procreation of life, insuring survival of humankind.

Higher Nature – Specialized Products Insure Healthy Body and Mind

Posted on by
Reply



Higher Nature has a vast assortment of vitamins, minerals, and supplemental products developed to keep the human body (and pets as well) healthy and feeling good throughout our lifetime. They stress purity and naturalness and that means no artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives in their products. That also means they put no unnecessary additives into any of their products. Additionally, most of the their vitamins and other products can be enjoyed by those who are vegan or on a vegetarian diet.

Alka-Clear™

Offers alkalizing, cleansing minerals that will help maintain an alkaline balance in our blood and tissues while supporting waste product removal. The product comes with test papers to check your urine’s PH level. Readings, when taken in the evening, should be between 7.5 and 8.0 in healthy urine. Alka-Clear helps by flushing the urinary tract to insure a balance as nature intended. When taken with water, four capsules of Alka-Clear provides Magnesium (carbonate), Sodium (bicarbonate), as well as Potassium (bicarbonate) without adding starch, sugar, salt, gluten, yeast, dairy products, or lactose.

Ear Health

Aloe Vera is considered kind to the ears and Aloe Gold Ear Drops are suitable for use in the ear canal. These ear drops are especially useful for someone who has allergies or a head cold. They are considered safe for all ages, and particularly for frequent swimmers or those who wear hearing aids. The Aloe Gold Ear Drops are one hundred percent whole leaf Aloe which has been organically grown. Three to six drops in each ear supply whole leaf Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis Miller) juice plus herbal extracts from Calendula, St. John’s Wort, Rosemary, and Mullein.

Astaxanthin and Blackcurrant

Research points toward Astaxanthin as showing promise in the maintenance of the immune system as well as healthy eyes and joints. It may also be particularly useful in helping keep the cardiovascular system healthy. Higher Nature supplements like Astaxanthin originate from Haematococcus pluvialis, an unpolluted source of marine algae, and Blackcurrant, an excellent source of vitamin C, polyphenols, and anthocyanidins. In addition to the ingredients Astaxanthin and Blackcurrant two capsule a day also supply Vitamins C and E plus Rosemary, tomato powder which is a natural source of lycopene, and mixed carotenoids, all proven anti-oxidants.

The Benefits of Low Body Fat

Posted on by
Reply



Low body fat in a human body is frequently linked with increased health benefits and appealing physical features in both sexes. The human body consists of several lean tissues such as muscle, bone, and organs that are metabolically active and adipose tissues such as fats that are less active. As per medical scientific tests, the healthiest percentage of fat for males is five pct, whereas for females it is twelve percent. Nonetheless statistics show that on average males have fifteen to eighteen percent fat and women have twenty two to 25 percent.

Low body fat does not determine whether or not a person is overweight or skinny. A pro bodybuilder may be overweight in respect to his height, but his body has exceptionally little fat and the majority of the extra weight is in lean muscles. On the other hand, other professional athletes such as marathon runners are usually underweight and thus have exceptionally little percentage of fat.

In both the cases, the body fat is more or less the same, nevertheless one is overweight and the other is skinny, which proves that body fat does not decide the obesity or leanness of an person. While inherited factors do affect the makeup of fat in an individual, it is frequently a mixture of inherited factors and chosen lifestyle. After the age of sixteen body fat composition changes are commonly due to changes in fat cell size and not owing to the amount of fat cells.

The most important benefits of low fat levels

The most prominent health advantage resulting from a low fat percent is probably the lower risk of heart troubles that may begin due to clogged arteries or veins. A number of persons might enjoy good health even after having a high body fat percentage, but when it comes to the general population, information clearly reveal that most of the population suffering from heart troubles have a higher percentage of body fat. Reports have revealed that people with additional fat around their tummy are more likely to suffer from Type 2 Diabetes than those with lesser fat around the waist.

Low body fat also reduces the danger of an assortment of types of cancers such as uterine cancer, cancer of the gallbladder, cervical cancers, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer in females. In males, chances of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and cancers of the rectum are less. Even though this theory has been applicable in lots of cases, it is still being debated, as the actual causes of cancers have not yet been overwhelmingly deduced.

Low fat might avert many health ailments

Low fat is linked with a reduced risk of Sleep Apnea, which can produce shortness of breath and even lead to heart attacks in some cases. It also reduces the risk of developing Osteoarthritis, that is common among the elderly and affects the joints in knees, hips and lower back.

If you are by now suffering from Gout, a disorder affecting the joints brought on due to high levels of uric acid in the blood, dropping your proportion of body fat may help in reducing the ache and suffering. The occurrence of gallbladder diseases in addition to gallstones is also unusual amongst people with little body fat. Bearing in mind the benefits of low fat, its time to get started with the keeping fit regimes that you have been planning for a long time.