A Systems Approach to Good Health & Nutrition
This page provides a brief overview of each body system. For more information on each system, click on the link or picture of that system. The human body is a community of billions of living organisms called cells. Each cell requires a constant supply of oxygen, nutrients, pure water, and just the right temperature. Waste removal ensures the proper functioning of the system. If cells are not supported in all of these activities, they will die. It is impossible for each cell to supply its own needs. In order to perform specialized functions, each cell is organized in a beautiful system of interdependence for the good of the whole. For example, some cells specialize in supplying food to the whole community (the digestive system). Others are adapted to coordinate the pumping of fresh air into the community and the removal of stale air (the respiratory system). Much like a chain, your body's health is only as good as your weakest link; in other words, you can only be as strong as the weakest of your body systems. Of course, one weak link does not necessarily cause an immediate breakdown of health. Usually a weakness in one system places unnatural stress on other related body systems. Thus, the interdependent organs and systems have to work harder to compensate for this defect. This sets the stage for future potential problems?one day the chain may even snap! Proper nutrition plays a major role in achieving and maintaining good health. If the body's various systems aren?t supplied with the necessary nutrients, they can?t perform their functions, and the whole community suffers. Because of the specialized nature of each cell, nutritional needs may be different depending on the cell's activities. For example the structural system needs more silica and calcium, while the kidney's filtering system requires more sodium and potassium. Unfortunately, the average modern diet, with its reliance on processed convenience foods, is grossly lacking in essential nutrients. But most people today aren?t willing or able to structure their busy lifestyle around the preparation of healthy foods. Given that changing our eating habits is not always a viable option, how can we be sure each system of the body is getting the crucial nutrients it needs? Nature's Sunshine has the simple answer: a group of key products specifically designed to provide nutrients that must be present for the proper function of each body system.
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The Digestive System Supplying the Spark of Life
The digestive system consists primarily of the stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, and small intestine. For optimal digestive system health, consider the following support products: |
The
Intestinal System
The intestinal system absorbs waste products from the body to be excreted with indigestible food fiber. When food is not properly eliminated, optimal health can be affected; in fact, many health issues are linked to societies that do not consume adequate fiber. The intestinal system consists primarily of the lower bowel (also known as the colon or large intestine) and rectum. For optimal intestinal health, consider the following support products: |
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The Circulatory System
The circulatory system transports food, oxygen, and water to every system of the body through an intricate network of blood vessels. It consists primarily of the heart, blood vessels, and lymphatic system. For optimal circulatory system health, consider the following support products:
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The Nervous System
The nervous system provides the vital communication link between our internal and external worlds. The sense organs of the nervous system receive external information and relay it to the brain. The information is then passed to organs, tissues, and cells so they can adapt to changes. This system consists of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) and nerves (peripheral nervous system). For optimal nervous system health, consider the following support products: |
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The
Immune System
The immune system recognizes viruses, bacteria, and any foreign bodies and signals the brain to activate immune processes. It consists of lymph nodes, blood proteins known as immunoglobins, specialized white blood cells known as lymphocytes, the organs that produce these cells, and the blood vessels that transport them. For optimal immune system health, consider the following support products: |
The Respiratory System
The respiratory system is essential to the growth and movement of the body. By supplying oxygen, this system enables us to produce energy. If the respiratory system's efficiency begins to diminish, then the energy processes of our body also diminish. Without proper nutrition the respiratory system may function at less than its optimal level. Herbs have played a traditional role in cleansing and building the respiratory system for thousands of years. For optimal respiratory system health, consider the following support products: |
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The
Glandular System
The glandular system is a communication network that regulates basic drives and emotions, promotes growth and sexual identity, controls body temperature, assists in the repair of broken tissue, and helps generate energy. Its key components are the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, and testes. For optimal glandular system health, consider the following support products: |
The
Urinary System
The urinary system passes the water within our body through a filtration process in order to maintain a clean supply of body fluids that the different systems can utilize. It is composed of the kidney, bladder, ureter, and urethra. For optimal urinary system health, consider the following support products:
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The Structural System
The structural system, like a building frame, helps our body withstand stresses and strains. This system also houses all the other systems of the body and protects them from the outside environment. It consists of bones, muscles, and connective tissue. For optimal structural system health, consider the following support products: |
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