Skeleton (Bones)

The skeleton system is made up of bones. At birth the human body contains approx. 300 bones. Through maturation into adulthood some of the bones fuse together, concluding that the adult human body consists of approx. 206, ligaments and tendons.

The human skeleton has two divisions or types of skeletons:

1. AXIAL- Consists of the bones of the skull, vertebrae column, sternum (breast bone) and the rib cage.
2. APPENDICULAR - Consists of the pectoral (shoulder) girdle (clavicle and scapula),the pelvic (hip) girdle, arms and legs.
   

FUNCTIONS OF THE SKELETON SYSTEM:

1. The bones that make up the skeleton system serves four important functions:

• Provides a framework that supports the body; the muscles that are attached to the bones to move the skeleton.
• Protects some internal organs from mechanical injury; for example: the rib cage protects the heart and lungs or the skull protects the brain.
• Produces and protects the red blood cells, and serves as blood reservoirs. Some white blood cells (Leukocytes) are also produced in bones.
• Provides a storage site of inorganic salts, such as CALCIUM. Calcium may be removed from bone to maintain a normal blood calcium level, which is essentially for blood clotting and proper functioning of the muscles and nerves.

2. The skeleton system works with the muscular system to help the body move.
Bones provide a system of levers (rigid rods that can be moved about a fixed point) on which a group of specialized tissues (muscles), and connective tissues act to produce motion.

Some health concerns of the bones are:

Diseases: Osteoporosis, Fibrous dyspasia (abnormal bone growth, caused by a gene mutation).
Disorders: Diabetes
Conditions: Osteophytes (bone spurs) may be caused due to aging. Rickets (Vitamin D deficiency) may lead to the weakening and softening of bones.
Different medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can affect the bones.

Effective bone health is vital whether it is administered medically via prescribed medications or as preventative care such as adequate the dietary intake of valuable vitamins, minerals, supplements and a regular routine of weight bearing exercises.

Muscles

The muscular system is made up of fibrous, contractile tissues that work with the skeletal system to control movement of the parts and organs of the body. Some muscles such as the ones in the arms and legs are voluntary, meaning that you decide when to move them. Other muscles, like the ones in the stomach, heart, intestines and other organs, are involuntary. This means that they are controlled automatically by the nervous system and hormones. The automatic process happen so often and so quickly that you may not even realize they're at work. In the blink of an eye!

The muscular system is very complex, so I have outlined only briefly, the three classes:

1. Skeletal muscles are striated in appearance, helps the body move and responds quickly to neutral stimulation. Skeletal muscle may paralyze if the sensation of the nerves are lost.
2. Smooth muscles are not striped in appearance, but are spindle shaped fibers. They are an involuntary group, that are located inside the visceral organs, such as the stomach and intestines. The smooth muscles respond slowly to stimulation.
3. Cardiac muscle is striped in appearance; and found only in the heart. Its motion is involuntary. It responds quickly to neutral stimuli; but not as quick as the skeletal muscles. It will continue to contract if it loses its neutral stimuli.
   
   Muscles can become infected, inflamed, diseased (Muscular Dystrophy, Myositis) or individuals may be genetically disposed (Neuromuscular) to which medical treatment is required. In other cases muscle stiffness and soreness can originated from the overexertion of a group of muscles from a simple chore of yard work or an exercise workout.

KEY PRODUCTS

• Noni Liquid - Used to target the digestive, intestinal, respiratory, and immune systems. Noni continues to be popular today and enjoys widespread use, particularly as an immune system stimulant. It is also reputed to help create a general feeling of well-being. Also available in capsules.
• Cal-Mag Plus Vitamin D - Used for the prevention of osteoporosis.
• Fibralgia - Research shows that suffers respond to this supplement that contains malic acid and magnesium.
• Glucosamine - repairs connective tissue.
• Herbal CA - contains a high mineral potency of the alfalfa herb.
• ART-A with Devil's Claw - contains white willow bark, and the famous herb Devil's Claw that relieves joint pain and swelling. RISK ALERT: Read label carefully.
• Everflex tablets - For healthy joints. Try the topical Everflex Pain Cream
  RISK ALERT: Read label carefully

SUPPORT PRODUCTS

• Aloe Vera Juice- 97.35% pure. - Also available as a Gel used in personal and beauty care.
• CA ATC - contains four times (3X) the nutrient value of the regular CA product. ATC is an ancient traditional concept whereby herb extracts are concentrated and enhanced in combination with pure herbs.
• Chondroitinis - a component of collagen that depletes with age, and deficient with arthritic suffers.
• IF-C Chinese Herbal - Clears Heat IF-C Chinese Herbal - Clears body of toxins through detoxification and elimination.
• Dandelion This weed-like nuisance, is considered by herbalists one of the most nutrient-rich plants for the urinary and glandular systems.

Joints

A joint is defined a point where two or more bones meet. In the human body there are three basic types of joints:

Synathrosis joints may be immovable (fibrous connective tissue); as those of the skull.

Amphathrosis joints may be slightly movable (cartilaginous); as those of the vertebrae.

Diathrosis joints that are freely movable (synovial); also called articulation; as those of the elbows and knees. Within the diathrosis type of joints there are six different types of freely movable joints; as they perform the joint movement itself and can perform an opposing or antagonist movement as well. An example of this would be the action of protraction: thrusting of a body part forward and the antagonist (opposing) movement of retraction: withdrawal of a body part.
Six different types of diathrosis joints and examples of locations in the body:

• Saddle - base of the thumb
• Hinge - humerus
• Pivot - atlas and axis
• Condyloid - hand/wrist
• Ball and Socket - hip
• Gliding - digital joints

Arthritis is one of the commonly spoke of diseases that attacks the joints. It is said that there are over 100 different types of arthritis. Other types and causes of joint pain may be Temporomandibular (TMJ), Hepatitis, sleep or estrogen deprivation are just a few. Critical diseases of the joints should be treated by a medical practitioner.

Preventative care can be enforce by way of essential dietary, vitamin, mineral and supplementation to ensure that symptoms of the joint pain can be relieved and/or the joints be cared for to remain in a healthy state.