By Dr. Tim Tregoning,

Two brains in the body? 

Indirectly, yes. The first and most obvious is the actual brain contained within the skull and has direct communication with every bodily function through the spinal cord and spinal nerves. As a chiropractor, that's how I access and restore energy and health to the body- through gentle spinal manipulation. 

The less obvious "brain" has been identified in the digestive system. It assimilates the nutrients we feed our body to nourish the first brain and keep the entire body in proper working order. Although spinal care is very important, maintaining the integrity of your digestive tract is what determines your "inner" health. 

Why nutritional supplements? 

Today's commercial farmers have been forced to increase their profit margins due to rising food costs. In so doing, many have elected to utilize cheap, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified seeds. This does increase crop yields-but at a price of inferior and nutrient-deficient produce. Research provided by the University of Texas at Austin has discovered 13 major nutrients found in fruits and veggies have declined over the past 50 years. The Department of Agriculture revealed substantially lower levels of protein, calcium, vitamin C, phosphorus, iron, and riboflavin over the past several decades. Such "creative", over-farming has left our soil depleted from the nutrients necessary for our optimal health. 

Now what? 

Buy foods that are certified organically grown if possible.

Eliminate the processed synthetic foods as much as possible from your diet. 

Choose nutritional supplements that are whole food based ultra-hypoallergenic, and contain no synthetic substances.

Where do you start?

Begin with a good whole food-based multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement. The A's, B's, C's, D's, etc. 

Add Tuna oil or Calamari essential fatty acids. They're great anti-inflammatories, nourish your "real" brain, and help fend off stress. 

Take a probiotic. All the good bacteria in your digestive tract must be maintained-it wards off sickness, aging, stress, and aids in energizing the body. 

Digestive enzymes. They're mandatory! Take 2-4 with each meal (heavy protein meal, take 4). Make sure bromelaine, papain, protease, borage, and turmeric are in the mix-they give your body the lost enzymes from over-farming and help digest your food more efficiently. 

Minerals are key. Minerals plus water equal great electrical conductivity. That's what your nervous system was created for. Kelp, alfalfa, iodine-Yummm!

These simple nutrients can add quality of life to you and your family. Thomas Edison once said "the chief function of the body is to carry the brain around." 

Let's make sure we can do so for long, long time!