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Seniors
Digestive And Immune Function

As we age many things happen which get wrongly blamed on the aging process. Problems with digestion and the immune system are high up on this list. These two systems are intimately related and also linked with the hormonal/endocrine system.

Discussed above (see Endocrine/Hormonal and Digestive under "Adults"), the digestive and immune systems depend on the health of the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of your nervous system that's responsible for everything which is NOT fight or flight.

When the body is under stress, the stomach stops making stomach acid and everything goes haywire from there on. Sometimes the solution is as simple as getting the digestive system turned back on and feeding the brain and endocrine systems the right nutrients so they can do their jobs. Sometimes, it's a bit more complicated and may involve modifying what or when you eat, getting rid of the unfriendly and replacing the friendly digestive critters, and balancing the neurotransmitters and hormones with their vitamin, mineral, amino acid, and enzyme precursors.

In any case, an upset digestive system means an upset immune and endocrine system. Some of the most common symptoms that tell you something is out of balance are gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, lack of appetite or excessive appetite, tummy aches, headaches, and low back aches. If you have any of these, your system isn't working properly and it's time to come see Dr. Ennen to get yourself right.

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