Nutri Courses

Advisory

Autonomic nervous system

The vegetative nervous system, also known as the autonomic nervous system, is a part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, and more. This system is essential for maintaining homeostasis, or balance within the body. Its proper function is crucial for an individual's overall health.

From a nutritional perspective, the vegetative nervous system can influence how the body processes and utilizes ingested nutrients. For instance, if this system is stressed or disrupted, it can lead to issues with digestion and nutrient absorption. Conversely, proper nutrition can support the health of the vegetative nervous system by providing the necessary vitamins and minerals for its optimal function.

Good afternoon Mr. Jelínek,

Could you please explain how the autonomic nervous system responds in the case of long-term nutrient deficiency (meaning energy intake below the BMR value)? How can the metabolism be "restarted"?

Thank you very much for your answer.

If your intake falls below the BMR values, the metabolism responds to this as a crisis energy situation, during which it (simply put) "switches" to an energy-saving mode. This means that catabolic processes begin to prevail, which the athlete subjectively perceives as a decrease in vitality and a prolonged recovery period after exertion. Simultaneously, the immune system is weakened, increasing the risk of illness. Because the body lacks not only energy but also many nutrients, the athlete risks injury. The autonomic nervous system functions essentially in the same mode but is fundamentally influenced by catabolic processes, where the body takes a considerable amount of energy and nutrients from its own reserves. In such a situation, the only viable solution is to increase energy intake and strive to optimize the nutritional values of the diet.

Good day Mr. Jelínek,
how does the autonomic nervous system respond in the case of a long-term nutrient deficiency (meaning energy intake below BMR)? How can metabolism be "kick-started" again?
Thank you very much for your response.

If you reduce your intake below BMR values, the metabolism reacts to this as a crisis energy situation, in which it (simply put) "switches" to an energy-saving mode. This means that catabolic processes begin to prevail, which the athlete subjectively perceives as a decrease in vitality and an extension of post-exercise recovery. Simultaneously, the immune system is weakened, increasing the risk of illness. Since the body lacks not only energy but also many nutrients, the athlete risks injury. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) essentially functions in the same mode but is significantly affected by catabolic processes, where the body takes a substantial amount of energy and nutrients from its own reserves. In such a situation, the only viable solution is to increase energy intake and strive to optimize the nutritional values of the diet.

Questions answered by

Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system

Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.

He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.

In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.

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