Holistic Health Tips from NYC Chiropractor Dr. Louis Granirer

Over the past month, I have been fielding many questions from patients concerning the Corona-virus, and what patients should, or shouldn’t, add to their current protocols to ensure protection from the virus. I was debating whether to write this newsletter because of the potential for this topic to stoke anxiety, but ultimately I felt this information is important for people to have. It’s important to remember that just because someone is exposed to a virus, this doesn’t equate to infection. The key factor in infection has to do with your own immune system’s state of health, and its ability to stop viral replication! Many of my patients tell me that their co-workers, one after the other, are out sick with the flu, but that they never get sick. If they do get a cold, it lasts for three days as opposed to their friends and colleagues who suffer for ten days or longer. Your immune system is enhanced if your stress is managed, you get enough sleep, you are on an Autoimmune Disorder

What Happens in the Vagus, Doesn’t Stay in the Vagus Simply put, the brain and gut directly influence each other. If you are nervous about something, this can directly impact the amount of stomach acid and gastric juices that are produced by your stomach, which can cause an upset stomach. If you eat poorly, this can directly impact the neurotransmitters that affect your brain chemistry and mood. The enteric nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system that lies within the gastrointestinal lining of the gut. It is often referred to as the second brain because of its impact on the brain and can operate independently of the brain and spinal cord. The Vagus Nerve connects the enteric nervous system to the brain and is a key player in the gut/brain connection. The Vagus Nerve, which is also referred to as Cranial Nerve X (10), is the longest cranial nerve in the body and runs from the brainstem to the intestines, innervating the throat, facial muscles, heart, and lungs. The