POOR VAGAL TONE IS MAKING YOU SICK !
The Vagus nerve is the longest and most complex of the cranial nerves. Vagus function is critical for our health and longevity as it regulates heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, pupil dilation/constriction, and even speaking.
We know and have heard a lot about the Gut-Brain connection and how important it is for our overall health and balance. And the main key element of this connection is the vagus nerve. Thus, any sort of imbalance seen in this axis is due to poor vagus function, which directly impacts the related organs and the immunity of an individual.
How is Vagus Nerve related to the immune system of our body?
Chronic Inflammation is the most common sign of poor vagus nerve function. The low vagal tone has been linked to:
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, etc
- Obesity
- IBS/IBD/SIBO/Leaky Gut
- Chronic inflammatory states
- Chronic fatigue
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
- Heart Diseases
- Migraine/ cluster headaches
- Asthma
Poor vagus nerve function explains why stress, suppresses stomach acid and digestive enzyme production, increases gut permeability (leaky gut), and further contributes to dysbiosis and nutrient malabsorption.
Therefore, it is significant to increase the vagal tone which can be done by certain strategies like Breathing exercises, Coffee enemas, Probiotics, EFA’s, and many more.