Creating Your Individual Eating Program Part II: The Autonomic Nervous System
By Laura M. Turner

In the previous two lessons, I've challenged you to both take a quiz and find your appropriate "oxidative" type, as well as identify your dominant metabolic oxidative systems: fast, slow, or moderate. (If you haven't yet taken a look at the Oxidative System profile: take the quiz here.  You can also check your Oxidative profile here).

In the second section of our creative eating program, we'll take a look at the autonomic nervous system. Along with the oxidative system and the Ayurvedic system, the autonomic nervous system can also play a dominant role in the metabolic and digestive tendencies of the body and can help you fine tune your personal eating program.

Some Brief Background On The Autonomic Nervous System:
The autonomic nervous system is the involuntary portion of the nervous system. It is composed of two parts: parasympathetic and sympathetic.  Together the two parts of the autonomic nervous system regulate:

• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Digestion
• Elimination
• Cellular activity
• Immune system function

In general, one portion of the autonomic system dominates during metabolic activity. There is also a mixed dominance as we first noted in the Oxidative System. To begin your study of yourself, here are some characteristics which signify dominance of both sympathetic and parasympathetic. Make note of the profile that speaks to you the most.

Characteristics Of Sympathetic Dominance:

• Tall and thin
• Defined musculature
• Muscle tone
• Large bones
• Dry skin, hair
• Enhanced concentration and mental process
• Large pupils
• Difficulty expressing emotions
• Easily excitable
• Easily angered
   

Characteristics Of Sympathetic Imbalance:

• Dry skin
• Constipation
• Dry eyes
• Indigestion
• Heartburn
• Hypertension
• Irritability
• Sweet cravings
• Decrease in appetite
• Emotional instability

Characteristics Of Parasympathetic Dominance:

• Broad shoulders
• Narrow shoulders
• Poor muscle tone and definition
• Strong will
• Good endurance
• Small pupils
• Moist skin
• Clear skin
• Trouble losing weight
• Emotional and intuitive
• Creative
• Outgoing and friendly
• Slow to anger and emotionally stable
• Expressive
• Needs extra sleep
• Sleeps well when eating before bed

Characteristics Of Parasympathetic Imbalance:

• Oily hair
• Diarrhea
• Large appetite
• Apathy
• Lethargy
• Low motivation
• Allergies
• Fatigue
• Depression

Characteristics Of Mixed Autonomic Dominance:

A combination of both sympathetic and parasympathetic qualities.


Scoring:
make note of your tendencies toward each system. In the next issue we will again discuss the foods which are natural extensions of each part of the autonomic nervous system and can help you fine tune your personal eating profile.

This research project is inspired by these sources:

Cousens, Gabriel, M.D. Conscious Eating. California: North Atlantic Books, 2000.
Clayton College Holistic Nutrition Workbook (2004). Birmingham, AL: Clayton College Of Natural Health, Inc.

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Laura M. Turner is a health journalist, author and net-preneur. She
hosts Beauty & Body Online: Your Home For Natural Health, Wellness
and Creative Abundance. Visit: http://www.beauty-and-body.com
Laura is the Sr. Editor of The New Body News and Wellness Letter.