Understanding the basic operations of the nervous system is intrinsic to understanding how to achieve a state of optimum health. The Central Nervous System is made up of the brain and spine, and is responsible for sending information out to the body. The CNS is protected by the skull and the spinal column. The Peripheral Nervous System is made up of all the nerves in the body, and is responsible for sending information back to the brain. Throughout the body are Neurons. They are tasked with the communication of the entire body. There are three main groups. Sensory, Motor, and Inter. The sensory type carry impulses from organs to the CNS. The motor type carry information from the CNS to the muscles and glands. The inter help to connect other neurons in the brain and spinal column and also carry information between the sensory and motor type. To give you an idea of just how many neurons the body holds, the brain alone contains around a thousand billion. Neurons communicate via electrical and chemical signals. From time to time these signals can become compromised. If the blockage turns chronic, proper function of the body’s ability to heal and self regulate can lead to a wide array of health problems. Blockages can occur due to physical or chemical interruption. The body’s natural state is one of health. Within the nervous system are two primary functioning systems; the Sympathetic and, the Parasympathetic. The sympathetic system functions as our fight or flight response. This part of our body’s system works to keep us alive under times of stress. It raises our blood pressure, signals the liver to break glycogen down to glucose, and gives us temporary bursts of energy. The parasympathetic system is the state in which our body perceives safety and signals itself to heal, regenerate, grow, and repair. Since the body is self regulating, it is normal for us to experience a mix of both systems throughout the day. If your day is more stressful, it’s likely that you will subsist in a sympathetic state. If you spend your day in a more relaxed environment, it’s likely that you will spend a greater amount of time in a parasympathetic state; fluctuation is normal and healthy.
Because the body is naturally self regulating, getting stuck in either a sympathetic or parasympathetic state can result in complications. There are a multitude of reasons why an individual could experience either chronic state. As noted above one’s environment plays a large roll. Someone who struggles with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other forms of anxiety may become stuck in sympathetic state. There are even some medications which are designed to trigger this particular state. Being stuck in a sympathetic state can deplete the body’s adrenal glands while simultaneously restricting blood flow to other important organs and nerves in the body. If these other organs do not receive the nutrient rich blood needed their function becomes compromised and can lead to various problems including (but not limited to) hormone imbalance, insomnia, low immune function, muscle pain, reduced saliva production, and poor digestion. The breaking down of food begins with saliva, and continues in the stomach. Poor circulation in this area means your body will not be able to produce the right balance of acid needed to break down the foods you consume. Low acid levels (contrary to what most believe) are responsible for acid reflux. GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a more extreme version of this. Billions of dollars are spent on medications for this issue in America alone. Chronic GERD can lead to scarring, constriction, and even cancer of the esophagus. It can also wreak havoc on the bowels by way of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Stomach acid production decreases with age further compounding the issue. Medications; while seemingly helpful, do not repair the problem, but rather serve to disrupt it further while opening the door to other unwanted side effects, including nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and aluminum toxicity. Aluminum binds to the phosphate in the body, and can result in low phosphate levels leading to even more issues including muscle weakness, loss of appetite, and extreme tiredness. Another issue with poor digestion that may surprise you is low serotonin levels. Serotonin is used by the brain as a neurotransmitter, but did you know that up to 90% of it is produced in the gut and digestive track? Tiny microbes in the GI track process the foods we eat and modulate this important chemical. Serotonin plays a roll in numerous functions of the body, some of which are brain cell operation, mood, memory, sleep, sexual desire, cardiovascular function, muscle movement, and even social behavior.
By now you are starting to see how intricately linked our body’s inner-workings are, and how important it is to restore balance by finding and correcting the problem instead of sweeping it under the rug by treating the symptoms. After reading about the dangers of becoming chronically sympathetic, you may be thinking that the parasympathetic state is where you want to be; however the body has two systems for a reason, and both are imperative to our health. The goal then, is not to become chronic in either.
While it’s true that the parasympathetic state is more conducive to healing and growth, getting stuck in this state chronically could force the sympathetic to over compensate leading to erratic cardiovascular difficulties. During a fight or flight situation, extreme fear or trauma may cause what is called a freeze state. When this happens, the body may respond by slowing the heart rate, causing the individual to pass-out. It’s essentially a hibernation type state in which the body becomes immobile until the perceived danger has gone. This occurs when the danger is sensed to be so great, that the surge of energy provided by the sympathetic is considered insufficient and gives way to this extreme parasympathetic function. This is the body’s last ditch effort to defend itself. Though it is less likely that an individual will become stuck in the parasympathetic, it can occur. Symptoms could show up as brain fog, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and increased fuel storage. With increased fuel storage, the body reserves and stores fats and nutrients for times of scarcity rather than make use of them for immediate energy; this can lead to unwanted weight gain. Generally speaking the parasympathetic is the preferred state. In contrast to the sympathetic state, the parasympathetic allows for proper digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes in order to prepare itself to receive food. It also allows for digested food to pass more easily through the digestive track and unlocks fuel reserves to produce energy; thereby creating an ideal environment for growth and repair. Here are some dietary enzymes I recommend supplementing with https://amzn.to/2DbLCkg to help this process along with another powerful substance called Fulvic Acid https://amzn.to/2yvX6Lp
When the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are both functioning properly, they work in tandem to keep us happy and healthy. An individual with both systems in good order will find that they are able to rest and relax. They should also be able to fight and or react to perceived dangers if needed. However, the functioning of the body and CNS are only as good as the food one puts into it. Foods that do not provide a full spectrum of nutrients force the body to assume a sympathetic state to compensate for the things it is lacking. Insulin has a part to play in both the CNS and PNS. When food enters the body insulin helps it to decide what to do with it by communicating information which will help the body decide weather to metabolize it into energy or store it. Obesity and diabetes are potentially related to the intake of garbage food that the body essentially doesn’t know what to do with. Hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, synthetic foods, and processed foods are difficult for the body to recognize and make good use of and therefore are not conducive to optimum health. In other words, you cannot put a bunch of man made junk into your body’s system and expect it to function properly. Further more, doing so for extended periods of time will lead to lack of nutrients and minerals, excess fat, inflammation, and a whole host of other health problems.
Some ailments associated with the nervous system.
Cerebral Palsy- Caused by damage to the brain, the results of which are impaired speech and difficulty with physical balance.
Bell’s Palsy- affects the muscles of the face, and often results in partial paralysis of one side of the face. While the exact cause is still unclear, inflammation or compression of the 7th cranial nerve seems to be what causes the symptoms. It’s thought to be initiated by a virus and is sometimes associated with herpes, HIV, Epstein-Bar virus, sarcoidosis, and sometimes chickenpox and shingles.
Meningitis- Caused by a virus or bacteria that triggers inflammation of the meninges. Meninges are membranes which line the inside of the skull and vertebral canal, closing in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Sciatica- A condition where the sciatic nerve becomes compromised, (usually through injury) resulting in lower back pain which can radiate to the legs and sometimes cause weakness of the legs.
Encephalitis- Inflammation of the brain cause by a virus. Early symptoms include headache and fever. If left untreated, it can lead to troubles with speaking and memory loss.
Parkinson’s- This ailment is generally associated with aging. Deterioration of neurons in the brain which produce dopamine begin to dissipate, leading to erratic brain activity and the recognizable physical symptoms of the disease. Genetics and environmental factors can play a role as well.