Researchers published a study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology linking autonominc nervous system activity to cholesterol, body fat, and blood pressure. The autonomic nervous system is the part of your nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions such as blood flow, digestion, and temperature regulation. In this study Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was used to assess the balance between the sympathetic ("fight or flight") nervous system and the parasympathetic ("relax and rejeuvinate") nervous system. Interstingly, women with "autonomic depression", or a depressed autonomic nervous system had higher cholesterol levels, higher blood pressure, and were more obese! Other research has shown that even a short course of chiropractic care can change HRV favorably and "turn on" the autonomic nervous system! This is exciting research that validates the role of chiropractic care as holistic care, not just pain management! For this reason I am a strong advocate of regular chiropractic check-ups. Here's the study on cholesterol, body fat, blood pressure, and HRV. Here's a study on chiropractic and HRV Enjoy!