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Edited 2009
TIPS FOR GOOD CIRCULATION I
WHY
BLOOD CIRCULATION IS SO
IMPORTANT Most people probably think of
'circulation' in terms of whether or not they have warm or
cold hands and feet (at least in the UK or similar
climates!)
However, we couldn't live if we did not have blood circulation; and improving the
circulation of body fluids can definitely be expected to
keep you healthy for much longer than would otherwise be the
case. And, in many cases, it can dramatically improve
your health.
WHAT HAS TO
CIRCULATE? The main body fluids to circulate are firstly
the blood, and secondly - and very importantly - the
lymph.
1. THE BLOOD The blood has several main
functions which circulation permits;
A. It carries nutrients to all the cells -
mainly from the small intestine, where the food nutrients are
absorbed through the intestine wall into the blood.
B. Blood circulation carries waste
products away from the cells. These may be broken down when
the blood gets to the Liver, or extracted for excretion when
in the Kidneys.
C. It carries oxygen from the Lungs to the
cells for energy; and carries carbon dioxide from the cells to
the Lungs for excretion.
D. In addition, blood circulation performs various other
functions - for example, it transports hormones from the
special endocrine' glands where they are made, to the
'target' organs or areas which they are designed to
affect.
These affected areas could be the reproductive areas, or
perhaps the Kidneys. A further function of blood circulation is to help
regulate body temperature. For example, if you are too warm,
the blood vessels come to the surface to help shed heat
from the body and cool it down.
So you can see that blood circulation performs many
functions which are absolutely essential to keeping the body
working well. Anything you can do to help the circulation of
blood must pay you dividends in the long run - you will keep
healthier, and feel better.
[Next: The lymphatic fluid...]
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