Cardiovascular |
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The cardiovascular system includes the heart, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The main purpose is to maintain adequate blood circulation for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to cells, tissues and organs and the removal of metabolic waste products. The endocrine and immune systems also use the blood circulation as conduits for hormones and immune cells. Two types of fluids move through the circulatory system: blood and lymph. An average adult contains five to six quarts (roughly 4.7 to 5.7 liters) of blood, which consists of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
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Red blood cells are made up primarily of hemoglobin, of which iron is a main component. An average adult contains five to six quarts (roughly 4.7 to 5.7 liters) of blood, which consists of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The release of oxygen from red blood cells is regulated in mammals. The release of oxygen increases with an increase of carbon dioxide in tissues, an increase in temperature, or a decrease in pH. Such characteristics are exhibited by tissues undergoing high metabolism, as they require increased levels of oxygen. |
Glucose Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the self regulating process by which biological systems tend to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are optimal for survival. If homeostasis is successful life continues. To the extent homeostasis becomes impaired weakness or death results. Human Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to regulate its internal physiology to maintain stability in response to fluctuations in the outside environment.
Human Glucose Homeostasis is the process involved in the maintenance of an internal equilibrium of glucose within a cell, tissues, organs and blood stream. The maintenance of blood glucose levels is critical. During exercise blood glucose levels can be maintained or increased by augmented release into the blood from the liver, kidneys and the gut from recently eaten food. The nervous system and the hormonal system has strong influence on Glucose Homeostasis.
During moderate to strenuous exercise, the liver is in “feed-forward” control to maintain or raise blood glucose concentration. Glucose is stored in the liver and in the muscles in the form of Glycogen.
As glucose is usually the only fuel acceptable to the brain and the central nervous system, maintaining a reasonable blood glucose level during extended work or exercise may be more important to the brain and nervous system then to the muscles.
The precursors to glucose (a six-carbon molecule) are lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, and alanine (three-carbon molecules) with lactate being the far most important.
The hormone insulin promotes uptake of and utilization of glucose by most tissues, glycogen synthesis in muscle and liver, and triglyceride synthesis in adipose tissue. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas. Increased glucose uptake usually stimulates glycogen synthesis in muscle and fat synthesis in adipose tissue. The effect of increased uptake from blood is lower blood sugar levels.
Maintaining a healthy liver and pancreas are important in maintaining Glucose Homeostasis.
Optimum Body Temperature
What is Optimum Body Temperature?
In order to function properly our body must be at an optimal temperature. At the cellular level our enzymes (proteins) are dependent upon a certain shape and conformation to best perform. When the body is too hot the enzymes are too loose and when the body is too cold the enzymes become too contracted, but in either case the enzymes are not the shape to function optimally. Our organs also perform best under optimal body temperature.
Body temperature begins to drop when metabolism slows or when the body is exposed to cold external temperatures.
Why is Controlling Body Temperature Important?
Maintaining Optimal Body Temperature plays a key role in maintaining good health and warding off the common colds. When Optimal Body Temperature is maintained, we are still exposed to cold virus, but the body is better able to defend against them when Optimal Body Temperature is maintained. When we become chilled or the body temperature drops, our systems do not function as well and we become more susceptible to colds. When becoming chilled or feeling a little under the weather, a good preventive defense is to (i) take a hot shower, (ii) eat whole grains or pasta, (iii) get some moderate exercise to increase metabolism, and (iv) increase hydration.
How is Optimum Body Temperature Maintained?
Optimum Body Temperature is achieved and maintained with regular exercise and a good diet that consists of nutritious carbohydrates like dairy products, whole grains and pasta. High quality carbohydrates are excellent fuel to keep metabolism high and keep the body warm.
Optimum Body Temperature is maintained by proper hydration. Milk, especially nonfat milk is an excellent source of hydration as it contains 87% and a high percentage of carbohydrates and other essential nutrients. It is interesting to note that when exposed to cold conditions the onset of hypothermia begins when the body begins to lose hydration. This is why when out in the wilderness, it is easier to survive without food than it is without water.
It is possible to train the body to increase metabolism for the purpose of providing internal warmth. We can train our bodies to acclimatize to colder weather. This is done in part by properly fueling the body with good carbohydrates while at the same time relying less on layers of clothing.
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