The role of the nervous system
The central nervous system is the body’s communication and
control center. It controls all mental activity including thought, learning and
memory. Using receptors, the nervous system detects both external (temperature,
light, sound,) and internal(blood pressure, pH, glucose levels) input. Your
brain makes decisions every second based on all of its inputs. Your central
nervous system has a huge responsibility for sending the appropriate signal to
the appropriate muscle or gland to produce the proper response to the data
received. It is the nervous system that sends signals telling you to jump away
from a moving car instead of in front of it.
This complicated organ system needs to be well fed! Eating
too much or too little of the certain nutrients can have a huge impact on brain
chemistry. The chemicals that transfer signals between the cells of the nervous
system can either stimulate or calm the brain. This has a significant effect on
digestion, focus, sleep and mood. Because of what we eat plays such a large
role in dampening or improving mood, this section will list some mood balancing
foods.
Common neurological disorders:
meningitis, ADHD, multiple sclerosis, Bell’s palsy, brain
tumor, stroke, epilepsy, ADD, dementia/Alzheimer’s, migraine, Parkinson’s
disease, and cerebral palsy.
Nervous system disorders
With the system as complicated as the nervous system, one
small problem can spell major consequences for the brain and the rest of the
body. There are several factors that can lead to neurological disorders
including genetics, trauma, and sell DK that naturally occurs with aging. While
some of these factors cannot be avoided, others can be delayed and even
prevented with a highly nutritious diet. In this section we focus on using
nutrition to maintain overall brain health.
Stroke is the number one cause of neurological damage
One of the leading causes of death nationwide, strokes occur
when the brain does not receive enough blood. This results in a swift and
possibly permanent loss of brain function. Strokes can develop when blood
vessels leading to the brain become blocked, or when blood vessels within the
brain rupture. Clogged arteries, blood clots, or head trauma can be responsible
for this interruption of normal blood flow. Suffering from a stroke may lead to
hearing loss, paralysis, loss of speaking ability, or death, if not treated
immediately.
Those strokes occur in the brain, they are also a disorder
of the circulatory system. Individuals can reduce their risk of a stroke by
following the diet, exercise, and lifestyle that is healthy.
Did you know? Roughly 250,000 neurons or nerve cells are
produced each minute in the developing human fetus.
Dementia is the number two cause of neurological damage
Dementia is the term used to describe a gradual decline in
healthy brain functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of
dementia. Medical experts are still trying to pinpoint exactly what causes
Alzheimer’s(and dementia in general) , but they have observed that the tangled
neurons and plaque buildup in brain tissues generally accompany the condition.
These defects may cause some of the problems associated with the disorder.
Alzheimer’s disease tends to run in families but may also
result from gradually hardening arteries that limit blood flow to the brain
over time. Symptoms become worse as a sufferer ages, and he or she may grow
more confused, disoriented, restless and unable to carry out normal human
functions as time goes by.
Nervous system disorder risk factors
A family history of stroke, mental illness, or vision
problems can increase a person’s risk of developing similar health issues.
However, this can be delayed, prevented and/or possibly reversed with proper
nutrition.
Strokes are often caused by cardiovascular problems. A
healthy diet free of artery clogging trans fats, processed foods, and LDL or
bad cholesterol can reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues that can lead to
stroke. Also it is important to avoid smoking. Smoking damages the lining of
the blood vessels and increases the likelihood of developing blood clots.
Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain disorders
are also associated with a high risk lifestyle. Like with stroke, smoking, drug
use, and the load – nutrients, high-fat diet can increase the risk of
developing Alzheimer’s.
Poor diet also plays a huge role in depression and other
mood disorders, as mood – lifting neurotransmitters or happy chemicals in your
brain can only be made from specific food-based proteins. Diets that do not
include these foods restricts the brain’s ability to make and release these
certain chemicals, leaving us open to developing a mood disorder.
Finally, vision and degenerative eye disorders are often
tied to conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Both of these
conditions relate to diet and lifestyle choices and are often brought on by
eating processed foods and foods that are high in sugar.
Prevention
Like with almost all potential health problems, these
nervous system disorders can be delayed, prevented and even reversed by eating
a nutrient – rich diet. There are even certain foods, that have been shown to
specifically help maintain healthy brain tissue.
