In ones journey toward understanding health, we’re often led to believe that disease is an unavoidable part of life—heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, and even cancer simply “happen” to us. But what if there was a single, foundational cause behind every illness, something that, once understood, gives us the power to prevent or reverse disease altogether? This may sound audacious, but evidence points toward an underlying principle of imbalance: too much of what our body doesn’t need or too little of what it does. Understanding this principle is the key to reclaiming our health.
Think of the body as a high-performance vehicle. It’s built to function optimally, but only when fueled correctly and maintained properly. When it’s overloaded with toxins, stress, and processed food, or deprived of vital nutrients and care, it starts to break down. This imbalance directly impacts our nervous system, gut, and liver—three critical systems that keep our body functioning smoothly. Let’s explore how an excess or deficiency affects each of these systems, leading to disease, and what we can do to restore balance.
The Nervous System: The Conductor of Health
The nervous system is the body’s command center, responsible for coordinating and controlling everything from breathing and digestion to movement and cognition. Like the conductor of an orchestra, the nervous system needs clear communication to maintain harmony. When this communication is disrupted, the body’s natural ability to heal is compromised.
In chiropractic medicine, spinal misalignments, known as subluxations, can obstruct nerve signals, causing a breakdown in communication. Picture a highway with cars (nerve signals) traveling between the brain and body. Subluxations create roadblocks, causing traffic jams that disrupt critical functions. For instance, a subluxation in the lower cervical spine (C6-C7) can impede thyroid function, leading to hypothyroidism, while a misalignment in the upper cervical region (C0-C1) may interfere with parasympathetic nerve signals, contributing to conditions like hyperthyroidism or digestive issues .
A review of studies published in The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine highlights the connection between spinal alignment and organ function, noting improvements in patients with digestive and endocrine disorders following chiropractic adjustments (Peterson, 2017). Chiropractic care targets these misalignments, allowing nerve flow to resume its natural course, effectively “clearing the traffic jam” and restoring health by activating the body’s self-healing capacity.
Gut Health: The Guardian of Immunity and Digestion
The gut is not only a digestive powerhouse but also a key player in immune health. In fact, the gut contains over 70% of the body’s immune cells, making it the primary line of defense against toxins and pathogens. Imagine the gut as a vigilant bouncer, allowing nutrients in and keeping harmful substances out. However, this protective barrier can become compromised, leading to a condition known as leaky gut or increased intestinal permeability.
Leaky gut occurs when the lining of the intestines is weakened or damaged, allowing undigested food particles, bacteria, and toxins to pass into the bloodstream. This is akin to a fence with holes—what should stay out starts finding its way in, triggering widespread inflammation. Research from Frontiers in Immunology reveals that intestinal permeability contributes to systemic inflammation, which can lead to autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis (De Santis et al., 2020).
Common causes of leaky gut include diets high in processed foods, sugar, gluten, alcohol, and exposure to pesticides like glyphosate. A deficiency in gut-friendly foods such as fiber, fermented vegetables, and probiotics can also compromise gut integrity. Healing the gut involves removing inflammatory triggers, including processed foods, gluten, and sugar, and adding gut-healing foods like bone broth, fermented vegetables, and probiotic-rich foods.
A case study published in Frontiers in Nutrition explored the benefits of a carnivore-ketogenic diet for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. By eliminating plant compounds like lectins and phytic acid, patients experienced significant improvements in gut health within 21-40 days (Bella, 2023). The high bioavailability of nutrients in animal foods, especially amino acids like glycine and glutamine, aids in gut repair, highlighting the importance of dietary choices in maintaining gut integrity.
The Liver: Your Body’s Detoxification Powerhouse
The liver is one of the most hardworking organs, performing over 500 functions, including detoxification, hormone regulation, and metabolism. It acts like a high-powered vacuum cleaner, filtering toxins, chemicals, and waste from our bloodstream. Unfortunately, in today’s world, our liver faces a constant onslaught of toxins from pollutants, processed foods, medications, and even skincare products.
When the liver becomes overwhelmed by toxins, it struggles to keep up, much like a small vacuum trying to clean a warehouse. This toxic overload can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, skin issues, and even weight gain. Chronic liver congestion has been linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which affects over 25% of the global population and is often tied to diets high in sugar and processed fats (Younossi et al., 2018).
Supporting liver health means both reducing the intake of toxins and consuming foods that promote detoxification. Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale), garlic, and leafy greens are rich in compounds that enhance the liver’s detoxification pathways. Herbal support, such as milk thistle and dandelion root, is also beneficial. Milk thistle contains silymarin, a compound shown to regenerate liver cells and reduce inflammation, as demonstrated in a study published in Phytomedicine (Saller et al., 2001). Additionally, green tea, rich in catechins, has been found to reduce liver fat accumulation and support enzyme activity, aiding in detoxification (Khan et al., 2020).
Embracing Balance to Unlock Health
As we’ve explored, the principle of “too much or too little” applies to every system in our body. Too much of what we don’t need—like toxins, stress, and inflammatory foods—creates an environment ripe for disease. Too little of what we do need—such as essential nutrients, clear nerve flow, and detoxification support—prevents the body from functioning optimally.
The beauty of this understanding is that it provides a roadmap for healing. By addressing root causes and restoring balance, we unlock the body’s incredible ability to heal, regenerate, and thrive. This perspective shifts us away from merely managing symptoms and toward empowering the body to function as it was designed to—perfectly and healthfully.
For those ready to take control of their health, consult with a functional medicine practitioner or chiropractor. A thorough assessment can reveal underlying imbalances, from nerve interference to digestive and liver health issues. Together, we can develop a personalized plan that addresses the specific needs of your body and sets you on the path to vibrant health.
References
- Peterson, C.K. (2017). Chiropractic spinal adjustments and organ function: a literature review. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 16(1), 11-17.
- De Santis, S., et al. (2020). Intestinal permeability and inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 3060.
- Bella, T. (2023). Carnivore-ketogenic diet for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: A case series. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 813872.
- Younossi, Z.M., et al. (2018). Global epidemiology of NAFLD-Meta-analytic assessment of prevalence, incidence, and outcomes. Hepatology, 64(1), 73-84.
- Saller, R., et al. (2001). The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases. Phytomedicine, 8(4), 255-267.
- Khan, M., et al. (2020). Green tea catechins for the treatment of NAFLD: Nutritional and pharmacological considerations. Antioxidants, 9(7), 653.