Scientists have discovered a new chemical that could help heal nerve damage, according to research published Wednesday in the journal Nature, which offers early hope for one day reversing the paralysis and lost functioning that can stem from nerve injuries.

Reporter: Which maintaining a healthy nervous system?

Dr. Don Kennedy:Lecithin - Lecithin is a natural, fatty substance that’s an integral component of cell membranes. L-Theanine - L-Theanine is a unique amino acid found naturally in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Kava Kava – Also known simply as kava, the kava kava plant (Piper methysticum) is found throughout the islands of the Pacific and has a long history of use by islanders. GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) - GABA (powder, 750 mg veg capsules, 500 mg veg capsules, orange flavor chewable tablets) is a non-protein amino acid that is naturally produced in the body.

Your nervous system is your body’s command center. It’s made up of your brain, spinal cord and nerves. Your nervous system works by sending messages, or electrical signals, between your brain and all the other parts of your body.

Your nervous system regulates complicated processes like thoughts and memory. It also plays an essential role in the things your body does without thinking, like blushing, sweating and blinking.

Reporter:Wich our rest-and-digest-and-restore system?

Dr. Don Kennedy:The sympathetic nervous system produces our fight-or-flight response to perceived threats. The vagus nerves are part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which does the opposite: rest, digest and restore. The sympathetic nervous system increases heart and breathing rates, slows down digestion and lowers the immune response. Stimulation of the vagus nerves reduces heart rate, promotes healthy digestion and metabolism, increases blood flow to organs and reduces inflammation. It is healthy to activate our sympathetic nervous system during exercise and short-term stress. But ongoing stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system is not healthy.

Foto: Dr. Don Kennedy auf der Konferenz.

The parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerves is the counterbalance to our stress response. It makes us more calm, relaxed and sociable. The vasovagal response is an over-reaction of the vagus nerves to counterbalance a stress. This is when an excessive drop in blood pressure and heart rate causes a person to feel dizzy or faint.

Reporter: What is the wandering nerve?

Dr. Don Kennedy: Vagus means wandering in Latin and is where the words vagrant, vagabond and vague come from. The name reflects the long pathway and extensive branching of our vagus nerves. These are the tenth cranial nerves, the longest of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves that connect the brainstem and the body. The vagus nerves run down the neck where they are about 5mm in diameter. They travel into the thoracic (chest) cavity and send branches to the heart and lungs, then pass through the diaphragm to innervate nearly all the abdominal organs. We mostly hear of the effects of the vagus nerves on our organs, such as reducing heart rate. However, about 80% of vagus nerve fibres carry information from organs back to our brain. This forms part of the bidirectional gut-brain axis. This can explain the “butterflies in your stomach” when you feel nervous, and why gastrointestinal problems can cause anxiety and depression.

Photo: Scheme of the internal structure of the eye.

Dr. Don Kennedy: It is not possible to directly measure vagal tone (the level of activity in the nerves). Instead, heart-rate variability is used as a surrogate measure of vagus nerve activity. This is the slight beat-to-beat differences in heart rate that occur naturally, related to breathing. When you inhale, your heart rate speeds up. When you slowly exhale, it slows down. Vagus-nerve stimulation slows the heart rate but increases heart-rate variability. These are both healthy because they indicate higher parasympathetic and lower sympathetic activation. A lower heart rate indicates the heart is working efficiently. Higher heart rate variability suggests the body is more relaxed. The vagal nerve hacks online:

Yoga practice and slow diaphragmatic breathing

Singing and humming can increase our vagal tone because the vagus nerve innervates our larynx (voicebox).

- There are also claims simple eye movements can reset the vagus nerve. This has not been tested scientifically. But there is an oculocardiac reflex where activation of the eye muscles stimulates the vagus nerves.

- Craniosacral therapy is a form of osteopathy that involves gentle touch and movements around the base of the skull and the sacrum.

This has been shown to reduce cortisol and increase parasympathetic activity.

- Carotid sinus massage can also be used clinically to increase vagus nerve activation and lower a high heart rate.

- Light massage of the carotid artery in the neck stimulates blood pressure receptors, which causes reflex activation of the vagus nerves to reduce heart rate.

- Enthalten Vitamin A, das die Gesundheit der Schleimhaut und der Hornhaut des Auges verbessern kann.

This should only be done by a clinician or with professional advice, for 5 to 10 seconds and never both sides at once, which can cause fainting.

- Social connection and feeling safe. Polyvagal theory suggests positive social communication and feeling safe increases vagus nerve activity. This promotes healthy growth and restoration activities in our body and increases positive emotions.

The vagus nerves have a role in social communication because they are linked with our facial expressions and voice.

Smiling and being smiled at can stimulate our vagus nerves.

Our Approach to Nerve Health to Nerve Health

- Key nutrients in Nerve renew support helthy blood flow to deliver oxygen & nutrients to nerves

- As blood flow improves, nerves harvest oxygen & nutrients from the bloodstream

- Nerves utilize these to build nerve insulation, revitalize nerve tissue & bolster nerve fiber density

- You enjoy reduced discomfort & weakness as nerve health & function improves

- Inhibits the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which can cause swelling & contribute to impaired nerves.

- May reduce swelling by inhibiting the production of cytokines and chemokines.

Like every cell in the body , your nerves rely on fresh oxygen & nutrients from the bloodstream to stay in tip top shape. But as you age, blood flow naturally decreases. And other factors like lifestyle and health problems can further inhibit healthy blood flow. When this happens, your body diverts blood flow to vital organs only - depriving the nerve cells in your hands & feet of the nutrients they need to survive. Nerve Renew addresses this by improving blood flow to all parts of the body, fueling your nerves with a constant supply of the oxygen, vitamins, and nutrients they need to thrive.

How do I keep my nervous system healthy?

1. Seeing a healthcare provider regularly.

2. Maintaining good health (like eating balanced foods).

3. Avoiding harmful substances (like not smoking tobacco).

4. Wearing protective gear or equipment (a helmet) when playing sports or participating in certain activities.

5. Managing any underlying health conditions.

Reporter: How are conditions that affect the nervous system treated?

Dr. Don Kennedy:A healthcare provider will review your symptoms to diagnose and treat any conditions that affect your nervous system. Treatment varies for each condition. So, your healthcare provider will take into consideration several factors, like your age and general health, to create your treatment plan.

Reporter:Thank You Dr. Don Kennedy!