The Amazing Body Systems: Integumentary System

The System functions:

The integumentary system consists of the skin, hair, nails and exocrine glands. The skin forms the body’s outer covering and protects the body from chemicals, disease, UV light and physical damage. Hair and nails extend from the skin to reinforce the skin and protection from the environment. Exocrine glands produce sweat, oil and wax to cool, moisturize and protect the skin’s surface.

Associated organs:

Skin, hair, nails, sweat and oil glands, The skin endothelial surface of the inner lining of nerve endings, vascular, glandular and lymphatic cellular tissue

What you can do to help support a healthy Integumentary System:

Recommended Dietary Supplements: Essential D, Omega3 Prime, VitaDaily, Vital C.

Amazon Herb Supplements: Aqua Algae, Camu Gold, Sangre de Drago.

Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Essential Fatty Acids, Vitamin B Complex: B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic Acid), B6 (Pyridoxine), B7 (Biotin), B9 (Folic Acid), B12 (Cyanocobalamin), Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Zinc.

Foods to include:

Fruits
Vegetables
Protein/Dairy
Nut & Seeds
Miscellaneous

NOTE:
Be sure to do your best to shop organic, grass-fed, free-range, unprocessed and low sodium.

Daily morning cleanse: 8–12oz of lemon water.

Foods you should avoid or limit:

Do your best to read the labels on packaged food. If the names are too hard to pronounce, they are likely chemical based ingredients and not very good for you.

Processed and high-sodium foods such as cured ham, bacon, sausage and potato chips.
Foods that contain all-purpose flour such as pizza, bagels, pretzels, white bread, and flour tortillas.
Foods containing artificial sweeteners like Sucralose such as yogurt, cereal, whole grain muffins and bread, microwave popcorn.
Beware of “reduced sugar” labels which are usually loaded with artificial sweeteners such as fruit juice, ketchup, jams, jelly, syrup, soda, sports drinks, ice cream, and salad dressings.

Artificial sweeteners you should try to avoid:

Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium, Alitame, Cyclamate, Dulcin, Equal, Glucin, Kaltame, Mogrosides, Neotame, NutraSweet, Nutrinova, Phenylalanine, Saccharin, Splenda, Sorbitol, Sucralose, Twinsweet, Sweet N Low, Xylitol

Recommended activities:

Physical activity is essential for good health. New studies show even 15 minutes of elevated heart rate from activity has numerous benefits. Find activities you enjoy doing and aim for at least 15 minutes 4 to 5 times per week.

CARDIO: Biking, Hiking, Walking, Running, Swimming, Dancing, Zumba

STRENGTH: Weight Training, Pilates, Vigorous Yoga, P90X, Crossfit, Barre

FLEXIBILITY: Yoga and Stretching

Additional information:

Common Symptoms: Uneven skin tone, fungus, scaly skin, hives, redness, baldness, skin tags, moles, warts, psoriasis, chickenpox, melanoma, canker sores, lupus, slow healing wounds.

Common Disorders:

Acne: Causes blemishes like blackheads and pimples.
Cellulitis: Bacterial skin infection.
Dermatitis: General skin rash or irritation.
Eczema: Red, itchy inflammation.
Herpes: Sores around mouth or genitals.
Raynaud’s Syndrome: Numbness and coolness in extremities.
Shingles: Painful rash from reactivated chickenpox virus.
Vitiligo: Loss of skin pigment in blotches.

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