THE NERVOUS SYSTEM…

Good Brain Food = Better Brain Power

By Steve Marmor

The nervous system is composed of the brain, the spinal cord and billions of brain cells. The brain houses about 98% of the neurons (nerve cells) in the body. It also uses about 25% of your body’s oxygen supply and as much as 20% of the sugar or glycogen! This active metabolism means the brain is highly affected by what you eat. Good nutrition can improve your brain function. Likewise, a poor diet can often lead to stress, moodiness, anxiety and occasional sleeplessness.

Within the autonomic nervous system, ( which controls automatic body functions such as heart beat, respiration, digestion, blinking and other functions we don’t think about ), we have the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The former gets us ready for activity—fight or flight ( tenses muscles, raises blood pressure, slows digestion ). The latter helps the body feel relaxed and unwind. Throughout the body, and especially the brain, neurotransmitters or chemical messengers relay messages. These specialized chemicals work in a delicate balance. Shortages can lead to a variety of health related issues.

Nourishing the nervous system can make a huge difference in how a person thinks and feels. Try Nutri–Calm from Herbs & More in Encinitas, Ca. 760 753–7272. Nutri-Calm supports the nervous system, particularly when it is under stress. It is a good source of b-complex vitamins, anti-oxidants and other essential nutrients.  B vitamins help with the formation of dopamine, epinephrine and seratonin. Nutri-Calm also contains a special category of herbs known as nervines that feed and nourish the nerves. These nervines provide a cushion or margin of support for a nervous system that has become frazzled because of undue stress over an extended period of time. Stop in or call today!