What Is the Muscular System? A Nutritional Approach to SYSTEM 11 CATALYST THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM

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1 A Nutritional Approach to MUSCULAR SYSTEM THE In a healthy adult, muscle tissue constitutes 40-50% of total body weight. Our muscles are responsible for producing movement, maintaining posture and generating heat, which is a result of constant contraction and relaxation of muscles stimulated by nerve impulses. The muscular system is an intricate network of elongated fibrous cells that form three types of muscle groups skeletal, smooth and cardiac. Skeletal muscles allow us to walk and talk, smooth muscles maintain movement of our internal organs and glands and cardiac muscle keeps the heart beating. Although bones and joints provide leverage and form the body s framework, they cannot move on their own. The health of this system s structure and function is vital to the health of the body as a whole. Transformation s enzyme nutrition is designed to promote optimal growth, repair and performance of the muscular system. Looking to promote optimal health and performance? Here are your natural solutions! What Is the Muscular System? Motion is an essential body function that results from the contraction and relaxation of muscles. The muscular system provides a group of highly specialized cells and tissues that are responsible for almost all movements of the human body. Muscle tissue is composed of an intricate network of elongated fibrous cells. There are three types of muscle tissue: skeletal, cardiac and smooth. They can be distinguished based on cell structure, location in the body and how they are stimulated to contract.

2 Transformation Enzyme Corporation Lisa Hudson, RDN - page 2 Skeletal muscle covers the body and attaches to the skeleton via tendons. The largest muscles in the body, the skeletal muscles are grouped together in bundles and may appear striped, giving them the name striated muscles. They are the only muscle group that is voluntary, meaning they move by conscious control as well as by reflex. Skeletal muscle can contract rapidly and with great force, but also tires easily and must rest after periods of activity. Smooth muscle has no striations and is involuntary, meaning we have no control over its movement. Its purpose is to propel substances within the body. Smooth muscle is located in the walls of our hollow visceral organs such as the stomach, intestines, urinary bladder and lungs. They are arranged in layers one layer running circularly and the other layer running longitudinally. As the layers alternately relax and contract, the size and shape of the organ changes and thus propels food, for example, through the digestive tract. The slow and steady contractions of smooth muscle are controlled by the autonomic nervous system. During periods of relaxation, the parasympathetic nervous system regulates proper movement of the smooth muscles. During times of extreme stress, the sympathetic nervous system takes charge and limits stimulation of the smooth muscle. Cardiac muscle is located in only one place the heart and its sole function is the pumping of the heart to circulate blood. The muscle forces blood out into the arteries as it contracts and allows blood to flow back in as it relaxes. Cardiac muscle is striated (like skeletal muscle) and involuntary (like smooth muscle). The cardiac fibers are cushioned by soft connective tissues and are arranged in figure eight -shaped bundles. The car- How do we monitor muscular structure and function? In addition to visual appearance and the scale, Transformation uses bioimpedance assessment / body composition analysis to monitor changes in fat and fat-free mass. (read our Clinical Observations article Body Composition to learn what we have seen in our clinic!) Additionally, muscle performance can be monitored by lifting weights and tracking the progressive increase in capacity over time. In our clinical case studies and formal research we have observed positive results in both areas. (see Baylor / UH studies, p.4)

3 Transformation Enzyme Corporation Lisa Hudson, RDN - page 3 diac muscles are also stimulated by the autonomic nervous system s parasympathetic and sympathetic controls. The Importance of Staying Active and Maintaining Muscle Health The three most important functions that muscles perform to help maintain health and homeostasis of the body involve movement, posture and heat. The muscular system produces movement. Nearly every movement of the human body is a result of muscle contraction. Skeletal muscle activity can be seen every day as in walking, running, writing, smiling and talking. The smooth and cardiac muscles are responsible for less obvious movements such as contraction of the gallbladder during digestion as well as the heartbeat. The muscular system maintains posture. Did you realize the skeletal muscles function almost continuously, making tiny adjustments to keep us upright? We are rarely aware of these intricate workings of the skeletal muscles, but they are necessary in order to maintain our body in an upright or sitting position against the never-ending pull of gravity. The muscular system generates heat. It is estimated that nearly 75% of the energy produced to power the muscles escapes as heat. This byproduct of muscle activity is vital in maintaining body temperature. What Role Does Nutrition Play? A healthy, active muscular system must receive adequate nutrition on a regular basis in order to function properly. At the same time, we need healthy muscles to get that nutrition to chew and digest food properly as well as to circulate the nutrients and propel waste from the body. We therefore need to focus on ensuring good nutrition, optimum digestion and a healthy muscular system. Macronutrients. Skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle cannot grow, repair or function without proper intake and digestion of the macronutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Proteins supply amino acids, the building blocks of our muscles. Intake of healthy fats supplies the essential fatty acids that are important components of every cell membrane in the body, including muscle cells. Fat in

4 Transformation Enzyme Corporation Lisa Hudson, RDN - page 4 Researching the Topic: Baylor Study / UH Trial Scientific Proof that Enzymes Reduce Pain and Inflammation! Independent researchers at Baylor University conducted a double blind, placebo controlled experiment proving the effectiveness of Transformation s proteolytic products on pain, muscle strength and inflammation. 1 This research shows how our protease products can safely and effectively improve muscle performance and reduce recovery time without negative side effects. Enzymes Support Recovery from Sports Injuries and Surgery! The University of Houston s strength and conditioning coach chose Transformation Enzymes to support the injury recovery process of key athletes in starting positions on their football team. See the complete results of this new case study including comparative graphs and a playerby-player breakdown. To read the UH Trial plus a review of the Baylor Protease Study, contact moreinfo@tecenzymes.com. 1 Buford, Thomas W, Willoughby, Darryn S, et al (2008) Dietary Protease Supplementation Attenuates Eccentric-Exercise Induced Force Production Decrements by Augmenting Leukocyte Activity and Systemic Inflammation. Exercise and Biochemical Nutrition Lab, Baylor University, Waco, TX. the appropriate amounts is also important to cushion our visceral (smooth muscle) organs and insulate the skeletal muscles that produce heat and maintain body temperature. Finally, carbohydrates provide fuel in the form of glucose that is converted to energy to power all our muscle movement. Micronutrients. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the many metabolic and biochemical reactions that support muscle structure and function. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats would not be metabolized and utilized by muscles without many of the B vitamins. Minerals also play a key role in the contraction and relaxation of muscle as well as the regulation of nerve impulses that stimulate muscle movement.

5 Transformation Enzyme Corporation Lisa Hudson, RDN - page 5 Clinical Options: Enzyme Therapy The intent of any nutritional support program should be to help bring the body s 11 systems into balance. Supplemental enzyme therapy is a natural choice for supporting muscular system health. Here are the three main objectives: Support complete digestion of foods with digestive enzyme supplements to obtain the macro and micronutrients essential for muscle growth and repair.* Promote optimum blood flow for effective delivery of those nutrients to the muscle cells with proteolytic enzyme formulas.* Proteolytic enzymes have also been proven to reduce painful inflammation and allow for improved muscle performance.* (see Baylor Protease Study on page 4) Get additional nutritional support for the muscular system with bio-available, enzyme-delivered herbal and vitamin/mineral products.* For more details on specific protocols for muscular health and for detailed product information, please contact Transformation at moreinfo@tecenzymes.com, , or visit Lisa Hudson, RDN, is a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin and the author of The Ripple Effect of Toxicity: And What YOU Can Do About It. Questions or comments? Contact Lisa via at lisa@tecenzymes.com. For more information on how you can impact the lives of your patients with enzyme therapy, please visit us at TransformationEnzymes.com. To review individual protocols and for additional resources specific to Muscular System health, moreinfo@tecenzymes.com or call *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.