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Reprinted fromNature's Field
Nervous System: King of the Hill
by W. Jean Rohrer
Structure and Function
The human nervous system is the most overworked system in
modern society. It carries more information bits per second
than your personal computer, (and it comes already programmed!).
Every part of the body has a nerve connectio
and not just one, but two. One set, the afferent nerves, carry
information to the spinal cord and brain. This is the activation
message. It tells you where you are in time and space,
and what is going on in the world around you.
The second
set, the efferent nerves, carry the brain or spinal cord's response
to that new information. These nerves signal your
feet to run or your head to nod in response to incoming messages.
Within the the nervous system are two subdivisions:
The
central system, comprised of the brain and spinal cord, and
the peripheral, or outlying, nervous system nerves that supply
every part of the body. There are up to 100 billion (add 9
zeros behind that!) neurons or nerve cells within the brain
alone.(1) Messages, transfers of bioelectrical energy, travel at
different speeds along different sizes and types of nerves.
Heat, cold, pain, pressure, body position and body control
signals are all constantly being relayed, usually without our
real awareness. Some body functions are automatic, such as
heartbeat, breathing and digestion; other functions are voluntary,
such as walking or eating.
Nerve transmission depends on chemical and hormonal influences
under all circumstances. Chemicals move the message
across the microscopic gap from one neuron to the next.
Chemicals also mediate our stress response. Stress is a fact of
life. No human comes with pre-programmed immunity to
stress.
Research has proven that the combination of the little
stressors in life have more impact on our health than major
events such as death of a loved one, major illness or financial
problems. Why? Because by inappropriately stimulating the
nervous system, activating the fight or flight chemicals in the
body, and then not using them up either running or slugging it
out, has the same effect as leaving your car's parking lights on
for 3 days. The drain on the battery isn't huge, but it's steady.
Eventually, if you don't intervene and either turn off the lights
or start your engine to recharge, your battery will be dead.
Likewise, if you don't intervene and learn stress reduction
techniques and strengthen your body physically and nutritionally
to maintain and heal, the results can include major illnesses
like heart disease, diabetes, immune system disorders,
depression and burnout.
Stress depletes the adrenal glands of
vital chemicals needed to maintain nerve transmission. The
end result is decreasing mental and neurologic functioning
including depression. The effect is much like that of advanced
aging: the brain produces decreasing amounts of
neurohumoral transmitters, which renders thinking slower,
memory impaired and cell degeneration increased.(2) The
effects of stress-impairment are distributed throughout all
systems of the body, causing insult and injury.
In the immune
system alone, depleted adrenals cause diminished ability
to respond to emergencies and to fight infections. Much
like an overworked emergency crew exhausted from constant
red alerts, the constantly drained immune system is unable to
rebuild quickly enough, so when the next flu or cold virus
comes around, there is little remaining to resist it.
But stress is not the sole culprit for poor nerve functioning.
Deficiencies in oxygen supply disables cells at best, killing
them at worst. Likewise, nutritional deficiencies show up
markedly. Lack of B vitamins causes neurologic symptoms
from burning sensations to the foot-flapping gait of the severe
alcoholic.
The nervous system must have B-15 to receive and
transmit messages.
B-1, thiamine, is needed for energy metabolism-
especially in carbohydrate breakdown; it is a potent
antioxidant, preventing the breakdown of tissue and production
of free radicals that damage the body.
B3, niacin, is a
memory enhancer.
B6, pyridoxine, is needed to produce
neurotransmitters necessary for good mental function.
Riboflavin
is used for vision, growth and effective utilization of
proteins, fats and carbs.
B-12 is used in creating amino acids
and fatty acids, without which you cannot live. It is used for
all energy production, growth, cell reproduction, red blood
cell production, DNA and RNA production and production
and maintenance of that fatty sheath around the nerves. If that
fatty sheath degenerates, so does your ability to function. (The
symptoms of multiple sclerosis result from progressive degeneration
of the myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord.)
Calcium and magnesium are also vitally important in nerve conduction. Deficiencies
of either can cause disruption of normal nerve transmission,
resulting in anything from premenstrual irritability, and
depression,(4) to the irregular and potentially life-threateningSince nearly 30% of the brain is comprised of lecithin, and many nerves are surrounded by a fatty myelin shealth which is comprised largely of lecithin, less than optimal levels of this nutrient can markedly affect both mental ability and speed and accuracy of nerve transmission.(5)
Menu for Healthier Nerves
Methods for managing stress and reducing its effects include:
1. Exercise is vital to use up those extra stress-induced chemicals.
While enhancing overall health, exercise gives you an
acceptable outlet for emotions. It is a wonderful rejuvenator
that increases the supply of oxygen to the brain, improves cell
metabolism and energy production, and relieves depression
via the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters.(6)
2. Attitude changes can and must take place. As Deepok
Chopra notes in his book Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, research
into the connection of body-mind has proven wherever
thought goes, a chemical goes. In short,
this means how one responds to any given stimulus, including
stressors, depends on one's interpretation and attitude.
Chopra writes, External stressors are basically triggers. If
you don't feel triggered, there is no stress. Changing your
attitude toward triggers can literally save your life
3.
Meditation and relaxation techniques help the mind focus
on something besides the stressor(s); causes the body to
respond differently. This becomes extremely important once
you realize that perception of threat, (stress) stops the body's
cells from their normal activity of self-renewal. The results of
prolonged stress, therefore, resemble the process of aging.
Meditation has been scientifically linked to the increased
production of DHEA-F (or DHEA-M for men) a chemical/hormonal precursor of the
stress chemicals. Depletion of DHEA is associated with signs
of advancing age.(7)
4. Improved nutrition is a necessity, as stress changes the
body's metabolism, increasing the body's need for certain
nutrients. Carbohydrates, which give energy, are broken
down faster.
Carb metabolism needs B vitamins and thiamine to effectively
produce energy. Vitamin C and other water soluble vitamins
are needed in greater amounts. These are nutrients that must
be replaced daily and are also major factors in immune system
health.
5. Herbs such as valerian root, scullcap, lady's slipper and
hops are helpful to the nerves, alleviating nervousness and
spasms, providing a sedative effect and encouraging sleep.(9) Ginkgo biloba and Gotu kola have both demonstrated effects
on the brain in scientific studies. Ginkgo has proven effective
in multiple nerve problems both peripherally and within the
brain. Gotu kola is considered an antispasmodic and nervine
as well as a tonic.
6. Since lecithin is a major component of brain tissue and
myelin sheath, adequate blood concentrations are a must.
Although produced by every healthy liver, supplemented
intake of lecithin assists with emulsification of fats, production
of choline, a B-vitamin needed to make certain nerve
transmitters, prevention of fat accumulation (atherosclerosis)
in the blood vessels and improved absorption of vitamins
A,D,E and K the fat-soluble vitamins.
7. Various B-vitamins are used to relieve migraines, for neuritis,
neuralgia, as a memory enhancer, for the production and
maintenance of the myelin sheath around nerves, for fatigue,
and assorted mental and emotional disturbances including
depression. You can tell from this description, the B-vitamins
are absolute necessities for the proper functioning of mind and
body via the nervous system. Unfortunately, today's dietary
habits deplete the body supply.
Sugar, coffee, tea and cola all deplete B vitamins. Because so many of the B-vitamins work
together, it is better to provide the smorgasboard approach by
giving the body all the B's from which to choose, and letting
the body use what it needs. This prevents possible overdosing
of one particular vitamin.
By the thoughtful use of a few simple techniques and supplements,
you can improve the circumstances for having a happy
nervous system, and thereby a happier, healthier you.
Sources
Ageless Body, Timeless Mind by Deepok Chopra, (New York:
Harmony Books, 1993).
Botanical Influences on Illness by Melvyn R. Werbach, MD
and Michael T. Murray, ND, (Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press,
1994).
Let's Get Well by Adelle Davis (New York: Signet, 1972).
Life Extenders and Memory Boosters, David Steinman, editor
(Reno, NV: Health Quest Publications, 1993).
Mind Food & Smart Pills by Ross Perlton, R.Ph., Ph.D. with
Taffy Clarke Perlton (New York: Doubleday, 1989).
Natural Healing with Herbs by Humbart Santillo, ND
(Prescott, AZ: Hohm Press, 10th printing, 1993).
Vitamin B Complex Handout from Nature's Sunshine (6/94).
Footnotes
1 Ross Perlton, R.Ph., Ph.D. with Taffy Clarke Pelton, Mind
Food & Smart Pills (New York: Doubleday, 1989), pps. 23-
38.
2 David Steinman, editor, Life Extenders and Memory Boosters
(Reno, NV: Health Quest Publications, 1993), p. 211.
3 Handout Nature's Sunshine Vitamin B Complex 6/94.
4 Adelle Davis, Let's Get Well (New York: Signet, 1972), pps.
246-251.
5 Ross Pelton, R.Ph., Ph.D. with Taffy Clarke Pelton, Mind
Food & Smart Pills, (New York: Doubleday, 1989), p. 25.
6 Ibid., pps. 246-256.
7 Deepok Chopra, Ageless Body, Timeless Mind (New York:
Harmony Books, 1993), pps. 16-18,150-156, 162-167.
8 Adelle Davis, Let's Get Well (New York: Signet, 1972), pps.
246-251.
9 Humbart Santillo, ND, Natural Healing with Herbs (Prescott,
AZ: Hohm Press, 10th printing, 1993), pps. 28, 130-131,138-
139 ,174-175,186-187.
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