Product Groups
There are many different ways to categorize body systems— AIM has
chosen to organize them into five systems, plus categories for overall
health; concerns unique to women, men, and seniors; and general
lifestyle. The five systems are the digestive-eliminatory system, the
cardiovascular system, the immuno-respiratory system, the nervous
system, and the musculoskeletal system.
Learning the basic functioning of these systems, the disorders that
affect them, and the risk factors for these disorders will help us take
better care of our bodies. Learning how to support these systems through
lifestyle choices and supplementation is key to finding solutions to
health concerns and to living well.
|
|
The skeleton, made up of all the body’s bones, provides strength,
stability, and a frame for muscles to work against in producing
movement. Bones are both strong enough to support our weight and light
enough to allow us to move. |
 |
The
cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels.
Through this system, blood circulates throughout the body. All body
organs and tissues need a supply of blood to receive nutrition and
to remove waste products.
|
Lifestyle makes a significant difference in our health. How we
live has a direct impact on the overall quality of our lives. Our
lifestyle choices also affect others around us and the environment
in which we live. |
|
The
digestive system is a 25- to 35-foot-long hose-like structure. It
receives food at one end, breaks it down into nutrients (a process
called digestion), and absorbs the nutrients into the bloodstream
for delivery to the cells. |
Both
men and women have special considerations. For men, prostate
concerns (urinary dysfunction, infection, cancer), impotence, and
fertility (sperm count, sperm motility) are a worry. |

|
The
nervous system has two distinct parts. The central nervous system
comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system
is the network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to
the rest of the body.
|
|
Women
have special needs for the minerals iron and calcium; folic acid;
the vitamins B6, B12, and E; soy-based foods; and cranberry
supplements. There are also many herbs of special interest to women.
These include black cohosh, wild yam, and dong quai.
|
As
we age, our bodies change. We don’t have the same ability to
repair tissue damage and build bones as we did in our youth.
Appetite and the sense of taste often diminish, resulting in less
than optimum nutrition. |
|
The
immune system is the army that protects us from invaders. It extends
throughout all body systems and is linked to our brain and affected
by our state of mind. It protects us from bacteria, viruses, and
cancer cells. |
An
out-of-balance body is the result of lifestyle choices. If we are
eating our "standard" diet, are over or under eating, are
not exercising, and are worrying about too many things, we may bring
on an imbalance in our whole body health. |