varicose/spider veins, prolapsed conditions of organs (bladder, uterus, skin,
etc.), fingernail ridging and weaknesses, and hair loss.
TENDONS
Tendons are composed of fibrous connective tissue and serve as fasteners or
attachments of muscles to bones and other parts.
MUSCLES
Muscles are tissues that consist primarily of contractile cells. These tissues
(muscles) serve to produce movement. They also serve as structural support.
An example of this would be the spine, where all the muscles on each side of
the vertebrae serve as supports. If one side becomes weaker through toxicity
and inflammation, the strong side will pull the spine out of place.
There are three basic types of muscles in your body: involuntary (or
smooth muscles), voluntary (or striated muscles), and cardiac muscles.
INVOLUNTARY (OR SMOOTH MUSCLES) —
Fall under the autonomic nervous system (without conscious control).
Smooth muscles are composed of spindle-shaped cells and have no cross
fibers or sections (unstriated). Involuntary muscles mainly comprise internal
organs, including the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, urinary tract and respiratory
passages.
VOLUNTARY (OR STRIATED)—Found mainly as skeletal muscles, but
also can be found in the throat (esophagus, etc.). Voluntary muscles fall
under the voluntary nervous system (CNS) for conscious control. These
muscles have fibers grouped into bundles and are surrounded by connective
tissue formed into cylinders. These are stronger muscles, designed for heavier
activity (pulling, stretching, etc.).
CARDIAC MUSCLES — Similar to striated muscles in that they are made up
of tissues that are like long cylinders. Cardiac muscles form a continuous
network of cylinder fibers with intervals of intercalated disks or cross-type
fibers called Purkinje fibers. Purkinje fibers create the impulse-conducting
system of the heart.