Issue #2

An Important Message From Andy Long

Before we get started, I want to explain something to you. I'm going to cover a lot of details on your blood and subjects that relate to it over the next several issues of Foundations Of Health. So much so that it may seem at times like what I am explaining to you is just something I pulled out of a human physiology textbook. But it's not.

There are specific reasons why I am going to cover what I am and in the order that I am. It's so that everything will come together for you later on in terms of how and why your body works the way it does as you continue to read future issues of Foundations Of Health

My intention is that what you'll end up doing later is saying to yourself, "Oooooh. Now I get why Andy was talking about my blood earlier. Now I know why it was important for me to understand the details of that."

So keep in mind that if at times I seem to be going into unnecessary detail about something, it's all part of the master plan. It's all there on purpose so that you will end up with a firm understanding of why you should eat this, not drink that, exercise this way and not do that in order to put yourself on the road to long term health.

Ok, enough of that. Let's get started on your blood.

Blood is a fascinating component of the human organism. In fact, your blood does so many things, you should consider it to be an actual organ in your body, just like your liver or kidneys or heart. You should think of your blood as a fluid organ.

Here are some interesting facts about your blood and its circulatory system

• Your heart moves 2.5 ounces of blood every time it beats.
  
  
• 8 TONS of blood is moved through your body in a 24 hour period.
  
  
• There are over 80 veins and arteries can be identified in the human body.
  
  
• With the exception of pulmonary arteries, this system of veins and arteries is 90,000 miles long.
  
  
• Plasma (which is 90% water) makes up more than half the volume of your blood

Next is a quick, simplified summary of what your blood does. After picking up oxygen from your lungs and nutrients from your small intestine, your blood moves through your arteries to your capillaries (tiny blood vessels). Once your blood moves into the capillaries, the flow slows down. This slowing of your blood flow permits the exchange of oxygen and nutrients to your cells.

The capillary walls (which are only one cell thick) contain tiny spaces through which oxygen and nutrient rich fluid flows out into the tissues while waste products flow back. This is where the exchange of oxygen and nutrients for carbon dioxide and waste products takes place.

Why is it important for you to know this? It's important because this is the process by which your entire body is kept alive. If this process is compromised, your cells weaken and die and disease takes hold.

Now let's look at your blood in detail.

Click here to continue.