Do you have a vagus feeling something is off?
"The human body is the most complex system ever created." Bill Gates is right on. One example of the complexity is the interplay between the vagus nerve and your physical and emotional well-being. When the nerve emerges at the base of the brain, it splits into two strands that go along the left and right sides of your neck and then extend downward, connecting to every organ in your chest and abdomen. Those vagus nerve strands, made up of more than 200,000 individual nerve fibers, are vital in the healthy function of virtually every organ system.
But the smooth interplay of the vagus nerve with the rest of the body can be disrupted by stress, inflammation, or infection. And you can end up with IBS, acid reflux, A-Fib, blood pressure changes, chronic pain, fatigue and even anxiety, dizziness and voice changes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. New research, published in Science Translational Medicine, shows it can even cause premature aging of your heart.
So, if you're contending with emotional distress, gastrointestinal woes, cardiovascular problems or undiagnosed fatigue, the Clinic suggests you may want to restore your vagus nerve's smooth functioning by practicing deep breathing, using physical therapy and adopting an anti-inflammatory, plant-based diet, free of red and red processed meats and highly processed foods. Aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep nightly in a cool, dark, quiet room free of digital intrusions will also help.
If you have the nerve to try this and other powerful anti-aging techniques, check out the AI coaching program at 4YOUngevity.com.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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