The brain and nervous system work together to control every function in the body, from movement and memory to mood and energy levels. As modern lifestyles place increasing demands on cognitive performance and stress resilience, many people are turning to nervous system supplements to help support focus, mental clarity, and overall neurological health.

Understanding how the nervous system functions and how to properly support it can play a key role in maintaining long-term wellness, balance, and optimal brain performance. 

What is The Nervous System?

The nervous system is a complex communication network that coordinates and controls the body's activities. The nervous system has two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Together, these systems send and receive signals that regulate everything from muscle movement and organ function to thoughts, emotions, and reflexes. The nervous system operates continuously to process information, respond to internal and external stimuli, and maintain bodily balance. Luckily, there are supplements, lifestyle factors and more that can keep your neurological health intact. 

The primary component of brain tissue is fat. In fact, fat makes up about 60% of your brain. Picture your brain as a firm jelly, bathed in fluid and protected by a membranous coating. The coating provides a barrier that allows only certain substances access to the central nervous system. Nerves are like tiny wires. Fatty sheaths insulate and protect them. The nerves run through the spinal column, entering and exiting at different levels, depending on the area they innervate.

What Causes Neurological Decline?

There are many degenerative conditions that affect the brain. The following sections describe three common nervous system conditions.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive loss of mental function that interferes with one's ability to function. A decrease in cognitive ability is quite common as we age; however, Alzheimer's disease involves actual degeneration of nerve cells in the brain.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis causes a breakdown of the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. Without a sheath, the nerve cannot effectively conduct information around the body.

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disease that results in the death of cells responsible for the production of dopamine and acetylcholine. These chemicals transmit nerve signals, and when they are lacking, one loses involuntary muscle control. The brain and nervous system have protective barriers. However, these barriers can also allow toxins to accumulate. Because it contains a significant amount of fat, fat-soluble toxins, such as heavy metals and environmental chemicals like DDT, can concentrate in the brain. Brain toxicity symptoms depend on the affected brain area and the type of toxin involved.

Diet's Role in Neurological Health

Poor diet hampers the functioning of the central nervous system because it is an extremely vital area that has high metabolic requirements. The brain mainly uses glucose for energy. Unlike other body cells, it doesn't easily use protein or fat if sugar is unavailable. Everyone has felt the foggy feeling in your head when your brain is lacking sugar. And then, after consuming a sugary snack or drink, you feel a temporary increase in alertness you feel.

Fluctuating blood sugar is not conducive to optimal brain functioning and can become a more serious medical concern in conditions such as hypoglycemia and diabetes.

Neurological Supporting Supplements

Supplements like fats, amino acids, and vitamins must also be in abundant supply for neurological functioning. The brain and nerve sheaths contain fats often lacking in the standard North American diet. This results in compromised nerve conduction and brain cell communication. 

Protein provides amino acids that the body uses to produce neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are nervous system hormones that coordinate brain cell functions. Several vitamins, especially B vitamins, are important for the production of neurotransmitters and the efficiency of nerve transmissions.

Lifestyle Management for Neurological Health

Stress and emotional upset impact brain functioning in several ways. Firstly, it depletes neurotransmitters. Stress also keeps the body in the sympathetic state; the body is on alert. The body's senses become highly alert, while nutrient digestion becomes less efficient. Finally, stress leads to a build-up of damaging agents called free radicals. Free radicals contribute to nervous system degeneration.

How Can I Support Brain Health?

The brain develops by leaps and bounds during fetal life and childhood as neural patterns are laid and areas of the brain mature. As we age, declines in brain function are normal, but there are many preventative and natural therapies one can use to maximize brainpower and memory.

  • As they say, "if you don't use it, you will lose it." Keeping mentally busy and learning new things has been found to sustain brain functioning.
  • Regular exercise and deep breathing increase circulation to the brain.
  • Make time in your schedule for enjoyable activities and sufficient rest.
  • Undergo regular detoxification to rid the body of toxins.
  • Drink 2L of filtered water daily to help to flush toxins from the system.
  • Essential fatty acids stabilize the nerve sheath. Flax, pumpkin and sunflower seed oils should be a daily addition to the diet. Fish also contain essential fatty acids, but are usually contaminated with heavy metals.
  • Saturated fats from animal sources, margarine, and shortening interfere with the use of essential fatty acids and should be avoided.
  • Consume foods that are high in lecithin and B vitamins including green, leafy vegetables, nutritional yeast and soy products.
  • Eat more fiber and protein, as it helps to stabilize blood sugar.