But what if the next big thing in wellness isn’t about what you eat, but about how your body listens? Enter a fascinating piece of your internal wiring: the vagus nerve. And even more intriguing, a high-tech, non-invasive way to stimulate it for potential weight loss. Let’s dive in, no medical degree required!

First Things First: What on Earth is the Vagus Nerve?

Picture the most intricate, information-packed superhighway you can imagine. Now, place it inside your body. That’s your vagus nerve.

Its name comes from the Latin word for “wandering,” and it’s a perfect fit. This nerve is the longest of our cranial nerves, starting in your brainstem and branching out to touch your heart, lungs, digestive system, and pretty much all your major organs. It’s the command center of your parasympathetic nervous system—aka your “rest and digest” mode.

Think of it as your body’s built-in communication guru. It’s constantly sending messages back to your brain about what’s happening in your gut, your heart rate, and even how stressed you feel. It’s the reason you feel calm after a deep breath and butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous. This nerve is the ultimate mind-body connection.

So, How Does This “Super-Nerve” Affect My Weight?

Great question! Your vagus nerve plays a starring role in three key areas that directly impact weight:

1. Hunger and Fullness (The Appetite Orchestra): Your stomach and gut are constantly chatting with your brain via the vagus nerve. After you eat, hormones like leptin signal, “Hey, we’re full down here!” The vagus nerve is the messenger that delivers this memo to your brain. If this communication line is weak or sluggish—a state called low “vagal tone”—the message might get lost in translation. You could end up feeling hungry even when your body doesn’t actually need more fuel.

2. Metabolism and Fat Storage: Your vagus nerve helps regulate your metabolism—the rate at which you burn calories. It also influences blood sugar control. A well-toned vagus nerve helps keep everything running efficiently, while a out-of-sync nerve might contribute to your body storing more fat than it needs to.

3. Stress and Cravings: This is a huge one. When you’re stressed, your body is in “fight or flight” mode (the opposite of “rest and digest”). Cortisol floods your system, and your vagus nerve takes a back seat. This often leads to cravings for high-fat, high-sugar comfort foods. By stimulating the vagus nerve, we can help nudge the body back into “rest and digest” mode, lowering stress and reducing those emotional cravings.

The Cool Tech Part: Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (nVNS)

For years, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) involved surgical implants to treat conditions like epilepsy. Definitely not a casual weight-loss solution!

But now, science has found ways to access this powerful nerve from the outside. This is called non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS), and it’s a total game-changer.

How does it work? The most common spot to access the vagus nerve non-invasively is through the ear. A specific part of the outer ear has branches of the vagus nerve close to the skin’s surface. Special devices, which often look like a fancy Bluetooth headset or a small TENS unit with ear clips, deliver a gentle, painless electrical microcurrent to this area.

It doesn’t hurt! Users typically describe it as a slight tingling or massaging sensation. This gentle stimulation is enough to “wake up” the vagus nerve, boosting its tone and improving that all-important communication between your gut and brain.

The Devices: Science Fiction or Science Fact?

This isn’t just a wild theory. Devices like tVNS (transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation) are already FDA-cleared for other uses like treating cluster headaches and migraines. Their application for weight loss is an exciting and emerging area of research.

Early studies and clinical trials are showing promising results. Participants using nVNS devices have reported:

• Decreased appetite and fewer cravings

• An increased feeling of fullness after meals

• Improved mood and reduced stress levels

• Positive changes in body composition

It’s important to note that this isn’t a “zap yourself skinny” magic wand. The research is still evolving, but the initial data is compelling enough that major medical and wellness communities are paying very close attention.

How to Think About nVNS for Weight Loss

If you’re intrigued, here’s the balanced, realistic take:

Think of nVNS as a powerful tool, not a miracle cure. It’s not about replacing a healthy diet and movement. Instead, it’s about optimizing your body’s internal environment to make those healthy choices easier.

By improving your vagal tone, you might naturally:

• Feel satisfied with appropriate portion sizes.

• Have fewer intense sugar cravings after a stressful day.

• Experience less stress, which means less stress-eating.

• Support a healthier metabolism.

It’s about working with your biology, not against it. It’s the opposite of a crash diet; it’s a gentle nudge to get your body’s own systems back in harmony.

The Bottom Line: Should You Try It?

The world of nVNS for weight loss is incredibly exciting, but it’s still in its relative infancy. If you’re considering it, here’s your action plan:

1. Do Your Homework: Look into the available devices. Check for ones that are FDA-cleared (even if for other indications, as it speaks to their safety testing) and have published clinical data supporting their use.

2. Talk to Your Doctor: This is crucial. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider. They can help you understand if it’s a good option for you, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

3. Manage Expectations: This is a gradual process of supporting your nervous system. Results won’t happen overnight, and it should be part of a holistic approach to health.

The takeaway? The vagus nerve is a profound reminder that our bodies are incredibly intelligent. The future of weight loss may not be about deprivation, but about connection—literally tuning in to the wandering nerve that connects your brain to your body, and finally getting all the messages right.

Who knew that the key to feeling better might just be listening to your inner wanderer?

However, they do have beta-carotene which contains an essential vitamin to help enhance your vision. This is none other than vitamin A; which improves eyesight, helps remove wrinkles, and even strengthens your immune system. It is necessary for cell growth and repair, kidney function, and blood circulation.

Vitamin A is naturally found in chicken liver, eggs, and milk as well as many plats like spinach, tomato, and pumpkin. Due to its low quantities in foodstuff, a lot of people opt for vitamin A supplements to help meet their daily intake requirements. This is particularly important for people suffering from cystic fibrosis or malnutrition.

You can get a better understanding of the recommended dietary allowances of vitamin A here.

To help you meet this requirement, we conducted thorough research and narrowed down the following 8 best vitamin A supplements of 2020.

• Now Foods Vitamin A

A highly reviewed vitamin A product, the Now Foods Vitamin A comes in soft gel form and is quick-releasing to allow maximum absorption and effectiveness for your body. It comes at a relatively low price point without compromising on quality which makes it ideal as an affordable vitamin A supplement.

Best Features:

• 25,000 IU vitamin A
• Fish liver extract
• Affordable
• Non-GMO
• Gluten-free
• No dairy, soy, or egg

• Pure TheraPro Rx Vegan A-D-K Full Spectrum Drops

Rated the best vegan vitamin A supplement, the Pure TheraPro offers the best of three worlds – containing a mixture of vitamins A, D, and K in an easy to take liquid form. It is free of any fillers has minimal added fat.

However, due to it being extra strength and fat-soluble, you should stick to the amount prescribed by your doctor to prevent a high build-up of vitamin A which can lead to vitamin toxicity in the body.

Best Features:

• 3000 mcg vitamin A per soft gel

• 167{63e61849b71e886fb8992aa7d29abd2ad4a7d765bdc870d7e2d94e0b24fd11ce} of daily vitamin A required

• 5 in 1 support
• Vegan
• Patented and clinically proven ingredients
• GMO and  preservatives free

• Thorne Research Vitamin A

Produced in a tablet form, the Thorne Research Vitamin A is made using synthetic palmitate. It’s another great option for vegetarians and the company has been recognized worldwide for the effectiveness of its products in improving overall health.

Best Features:

• 10000 IU vitamin A
• Gluten and dairy-free
• No yeast, wheat or egg
• No artificial colors
• Free from preservatives and fragrances
• Produced in the USA

• Nature Made Vitamin A

Nature Made Vitamin A is one of the most trusted third-party supplements available in the market. One serving offers 267{63e61849b71e886fb8992aa7d29abd2ad4a7d765bdc870d7e2d94e0b24fd11ce} of the total daily requirement. It is one of the purest forms of vitamin A supplements, containing only fish oil palmitate and soybean oil for increased absorption.

Best Features:

• 8000 IU vitamin A
• Easy to swallow
• Low price point
• Verified by United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
• Boosted absorption
• Gluten-Free
• Preservations free

• Country Life Dry Vitamin A

This is a water-dispersible product, formed by combining retinyl palmitate and beta carotene; both of which are excellent compounds for your eyesight. This is a flavorless tablet, containing no additives like sugar, salt, milk, etc. It is also certified vegan.

Best Features:

• 10000 IU vitamin A
• 50{63e61849b71e886fb8992aa7d29abd2ad4a7d765bdc870d7e2d94e0b24fd11ce} pure beta carotene
• No artificial flavor or colors
• Gluten-free
• Certified kosher
• No yeast, wheat, or soy

• Pure Encapsulations Macular Support Formula

The absolute best for vision support, the Pure Encapsulations Formula is a highly trusted supplement; recommended by most healthcare professionals. They have achieved this position through rigorous testing in third-party labs to achieve the most effective product.

These vegetarian vitamin A supplements have several vision-improving ingredients incorporated into the formula like glutathione, lutein, zeaxanthin, n-acetyl-cysteine, and many other carotenoids.

Due to the high percentage of vitamin A per capsule, it is best to take these as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

Best Features:

• 7500 mcg vitamin A (as beta carotene)
• 833{63e61849b71e886fb8992aa7d29abd2ad4a7d765bdc870d7e2d94e0b24fd11ce} of daily vitamin A required
• Tested by Advanced Laboratories
• A high content of vision improving ingredients
• Bilberry and grape extracts
• Gluten-free
• No allergens

• Superior Source Vitamin A

Made for people who have trouble swallowing capsules, the Superior Source Vitamin A tablet is produced as the perfect alternative. These vitamins are quick-dissolving, so you simply place them under your tongue and get all the benefits of a vitamin A supplement easily.

Best Features:

• 10000 IU vitamin A (as acetate)
• 2.5 mg Stevia extract for better flavor
• Quick absorption
• Helps eyes, teeth, skin, and respiratory tract

• Klaire Labs Micellized Vitamin A Liquid

Although available over-the-counter, this product is best taken after prescription by medical experts. The Klaire Labs Vitamin A liquid is manufactured under direct FDA supervision, complying with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

This is a cheap yet highly effective product that doesn’t require swallowing and has quick absorption properties.

Best Features:

• 1507 mcg vitamin A (as RAE)
• 167{63e61849b71e886fb8992aa7d29abd2ad4a7d765bdc870d7e2d94e0b24fd11ce} of daily vitamin A required
• Potassium sorbate as a stabilizing agent
• Hypoallergenic
• FDA approved

Final Words

Choosing the best vitamin A supplement as per your dietary requirements is essential. A lot of actors need to be considered before making that final decision.

Vegans and vegetarians should opt for a supplement that is manufactured with carotenoids, which people looking to improve their vision should go for a fish oil-based capsule. Also, be sure to select a supplement that has been thoroughly tested by third-party labs and is verified by the FDA for safety.

Always look at the ingredients beforehand to avoid any allergens that might trigger your body negatively and only the quantities prescribed to you.

If you’d like some further assistance to choose the right vitamin A supplement for you, reach out to our medical experts ASAP. Here’s to better eyesight without the magic vegetable!