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The nervous system is the central processing unit of the body, no function occurs without input from the nervous system. It is divided into three major parts: the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The CNS consists of brain and spinal cord and is the main processing unit of the body. The peripheral system comprises the nerves leading from the spinal cord to all parts of the body innervating skeletal muscles and their appendages. The ANS is composed of the nerves which innervate organs, glands, blood vessels, smooth muscles and the heart.
Briefly, the structure of the nerve cell is different than other cells. There are filaments which can vary from millimeters to feet in size. The long filaments are called axons which carry signals away from the cell body. The shorter fibers are called dendrites. These carry impulses toward the cell body. Neuron fibers are covered by a fatty sheath known as myelin. Nodes cover the myelin. Neural transmission is usually between nodes, and is referred to as internodal.
Sensory neurons are a class of neurons which are classified by their function of carrying messages to the brain and/or spinal cord. Efferent (motor) neurons relay messages from the brain or spinal cord to distant places in the body. Afferent neurons, yet another classification are neurons, are stimulated by olfactory sensor data.
A stimulus acts upon a receptor, which undergoes a change, creating an electrochemical signal in an afferent neuron. This signal travels to the spinal cord or brain where it interacts with one or many interneurons. A nerve impulse can travel more than 100 meters per second and, once initiated, cannot be stopped. Neurotransmitters are hormones which help the synaptic transmission.
The ANS consists of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nerves. There is a symbiotic relationship between the two. The primary neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system is norepinephrine which causes certain muscle cells to relax or contract. The peripheral nervous system is under the control of acetylcholine, which has an opposite effect of norepinephrine.
In our complex chemical makeup, cellular communication occurs through the catecholamines (the cell-enzyme transmitters). Norepinephrine is one of the most important transmitters and is made from an amino acid (tyrosine). From tyrosine, the amino acid phenylalanine is made. If protein is lacking in the a diet, phenylalanine will not be able to form, and therefore norepinephrine will also be lacking. Therefore one can sense the need for protein intake. Cellular communication could also be impaired, which might prevent the chemical norepinephrine from stimulating the next nerve.
Simply stated, the transmission of signals in the nervous system depends upon a proper supply of vitamins and minerals. If signals are improperly transmitted from our nervous system, abnormal behavior may result.
It appears that all individuals are not alike in their vitamin or mineral requirement. In a study performed by Linus Pauling it was found that schizophrenics who were given massive doses of vitamin C excreted very little of the vitamin in their urine. Therefore he concluded that people who suffer from schizophrenia, and perhaps other illnesses, require a greater amount of vitamins – in this case vitamin C.
It has been said that “it’s not how much money you make which makes you rich, it’s the amount of money you keep.” An analogy of this thought is that although vitamin and mineral intake is very important, how much of it is absorbed is even more important. For example, those with a lack of “intrinsic factor” (found in the stomach) cannot properly absorb vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia can develop as well as emotional problems of depression or anxiety.
The conversion of amino acids into neurotransmitters and neurohormones such as serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine are aided tremendously by vitamin B6 which directly helps CNS function. Cells of the central nervous system mainly use glucose in their metabolic activity so that any malfunction in the blood sugar level will almost surely produce a malfunction in the nervous system.
Hypoglycemia is usually a direct cause then of abnormal glucose levels. With the lowered amounts of blood sugar the clinical manifestations are abundant. Among a partial list of possible symptoms includes, depression, fatigue, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, allergies, headaches, confusion, anger, palpitations, alcoholism, dizziness and sweating.
A serum deficiency in B12 levels can be extremely dangerous to the central nervous system, and it is often associated with hypoglycemia. Often the B12 deficiency is manifested by emotional problems such as depression, mood swings, and restlessness.
Nerve transmission is dependent upon adequate amounts of calcium. Glutamine, another amino acid, is essential to the nervous system. Glutamine has been used to give to certain individuals, especially those suffering from depression, fatigue, or alcoholism.