Stress is way too prevalent
in our lifestyle!

Regardless of the cause of stress, human beings respond bio-chemically to this problem in a very predictable manner.

People that are wrought with anger or tension become ill 4 times more than someone who is not.

This nervous tension can cause illness; the illness increases stress and aggravates the illness by lowering your immunity and promoting inflammation.

It is because of a basic biological process...

When we are under chronic tension, our immune system is taxed and the hypothalamus responds by raising our temperature (which makes us an inhospitable host to infections and viruses) and charging the pituitary, thyroid and adrenals to produce more cortisol.

The cortisol hormone rushes through the body which is designed to guide the white blood cells into action. We have ample white blood cells on hand to fight illness but the white blood cells become overwhelmed by an overproduction of cortisol. The hormone prevents the white blood cells from reacting to pathogens so what was designed to protects us from infection can actually turn off the immune system. Lowered immunity caused by stress can then exacerbate existing conditions and even open the door to a host of new illnesses, illnesses much more severe than the common cold or the flu.

Dr. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser PhD, a clinical psychologist in Columbus, Ohio has been studying the link between health and stress for years. She was surprised by how large the effects are. A study that showed people under stress were slower to heal from infections and wounds by 24-40% because of immunity deficiency. It also showed that people who are perpetually stressed don’t respond as well to vaccines, by almost 50%. Ultimately, the repeated problem can exhaust adrenals to the point that they can’t produce cortisol when it’s needed.

This leaves the immune system open to the worst kinds of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and lupus.

Stress aggravates inflammation which causes disease.

Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defense system and helps maintain health.

When swelling becomes chronic or excessive it can break down the body’s systems:

• Causing the insulin resistance that leads to diabetes
• Damaging the neural pathways that causes Alzheimer’s
• Weakening organs and arteries to cause heart disease, stroke or cancer
.

There is increasing information that stress and heightened cortisol levels are key parts of that damaging cycle.

Dr. Shawn Talbott states that modern life causes tension which leads to chronic overproduction of cortisol which causes a variety of adverse health effects including increased appetite that can lead to weight gain and inflammation.

The fight or flight response to this encourages us to get the energy and too often we get it from high-calorie food to beat a stressful situation. Again, that would work for occasionally but not continuous. Our bodies were made so we can be healthy but our bodies cannot keep up with our modern life.

As a result, we consume inflammation-producing foods high in processed sugar, flour and fats that cause us to gain weight and store higher levels of cortisol in adipose tissue. So we eat sugars that provide us a quick boost of energy, we feel better briefly and the processed foods fool healthy digestion, inhibit nutrient absorption and have even been shown to affect brain and limb function over time from inflammation.

I think it is important to understand how the body works; we are causing the problems without knowing that we are. It is a continuous cycle of doing the same thing that is not good for us to make us feel better for a few minutes that only makes it worse and has us doing it again and again.

We need to look at what we are doing and why we are doing it. We can decide to take control of our lives and find all the other great ways we can live our life. There is so much to choose from, it is exciting and fun, you will be wondering why you waited!

If we can see what happens by our actions, I think we will be more aware of what we do and want to consider how we take care of our body.

What happens when you feel calm from temporary fixes?

• Alcohol increases adrenal output, interferes with normal brain chemistry and competes with food for digestion in the stomach.
• Caffeine provides temporary relief from nervous tension, it perks you up and seems to help you be more productive. However, it is a habit-forming stimulant that constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate similar to stress hormones. If you skip the coffee you end up with headaches and irritability. Too much caffeine causes depression and insomnia.
• Ice cream, the sugar spikes your blood glucose giving you a temporary sugar rush that will disrupt your pancreas and insulin balance. The fat will pack on pounds that store excess cortisol and toxins. The additives and preservatives are chemicals that can upset your hormonal balance or exaggerate existing health conditions.

This type of fatigue can depress your appetite but only for a short time, over prolonged periods, cortisol makes you crave for food that is not as good for you.

Eating starches and sweets temporarily signals the brain to stop producing cortisol so we do feel better, relieved. Since we are under constant pressure, as soon as the food is absorbed, we are craving for more nutrient-depleted quick energy food.

Dr. Louis Aronne with the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, says during stressful times, your body starts producing hormones that increase the pleasure of eating sugar, starch and fat. The more you eat, the hungrier you get and the fatter you become.

Researchers believe that the damaging disorder of "night eating syndrome" (food is consumed 1/3 or more of daily calories after the evening meal) is caused by chronic fatigue.

Cortisol is a life-essential hormone because it is an anti-inflammatory agent.

When it’s properly balanced, cortisol helps maintain:

• Blood glucose during fasting
• Stimulates fat metabolism functions of the immune system

When Cortisol is in overproduction (caused by stress):

• A damaging effect on metabolism and tissues
• Increased appetite and fat buildup, especially in the abdomen
• Depleted protein stores in muscle, tissue, skin and bone
• Increased incidence of depression, insomnia, memory dysfunction and seizures
• Decreased bone mass, leading to osteoporosis
• Insulin resistance (diabetes)
• Inflammation and stress are known to tax the cardiovascular system as well

Long-term exposure to adrenaline (produced during an emotional disruptive situation) elevates blood pressure because it constantly constricts the blood vessels. Chronic elevation is called hypertension (high blood pressure). Add this to the abdomen-centered weight gain that cortisol promotes and you are at a high risk for a heart attack.

People have been known to suffer heart attacks after a sudden stressor, scientists believe this is due to a surge of blood pressure and the inner layers of blood vessels constricting in response to a rush of hormones. If you have been weakened by subtle, chronic fatigue over a long period of time, you can have a heart attack more easily when receiving stressful news.

It is clear that this damages health. Heart disease, weaken immune system, inflammation and disease. Avoiding these must begin with reducing the problems in your life and improving your ability to cope with the stresses you can’t change. I have found that diet, nutritional supplementation and exercise can help and make a difference.

What you can do for nutritional deficiency.

Your body needs nutrients to fortify your immune and body systems. Deficiency symptoms include irritability, forgetfulness, fatigue, stomach distress, insomnia, depression and anxiety.

These sound like stress symptoms because fatigue and nutrient deficiency are tightly linked. Imbalance in one area can start a vicious cycle leading to imbalance in the other.

You need more nutrients when under emotional distress.

In the Journal of Science in 1969, Dr. Linus Pauling discoverer of Vitamin C, determined that nutritional intervention could help most people who are suffering from depression.

This is because stress uses more nutrients and can prevent nutrient absorption.

An example, Vitamin C and B-complex are consumed more quickly so you will need more of those to support your adrenals and immune system.

The increased cellular activity can also compromise the digestive system so you will need additional essential fatty acids (EFA’s). They help synthesize neurotransmitters from the amino acids in food, boost food’s “brain power” and ameliorate gastrointestinal distress that is associated with stress.

As noted in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003, Magnesium can alleviate depression by facilitating more than 400 enzymatic reactions most of which take place in the brain.

Our Toxic World!

We live with toxins in our food and our environment.

Preservatives, chemicals and pesticides can cause nervous fatigue, depression and anxiety.

Some examples:

• Mercury poisoning -typically from eating fish. The mercury restricts glutathione that is needed to make neurotransmitters in the brain and digestive system
• Cell phone use decreases melatonin levels. Disrupted melatonin causes insomnia, apnea, poor concentration, fatigue and depression
• Toxins and pesticides can mimic estrogen overload which can trigger mood swings, depression and emotional instability
• Environmental toxins, radiation and poor diet can cause thyroid dysfunction
• Pollutants and nutrient-diminished foods block neurotransmitter activity

This essential activity is at the hub of a variety of connected systems:

Endocrine, psychological, adrenal, neurological and immune.

When neurotransmitter activity decreases, a person’s emotional and mental health suffers almost immediately. This is a symptomatic widespread system failure leading to illness and disease. It is both physical and emotional when the body is taking in poisons which ultimately has the mind suffering.

Improving coping skills or taking prescription anti-depressants will not help the whole person because mental imbalances are from a complex interchange of nutrition, exercise, coping skills, genetic makeup and more.

The roots of the problem can be addressed with supplements that are natural, does not have side effects or dependency.

It is important to know if you are addressing depression or stress.

Clinical depression symptoms experienced regularly:

• A persistent sad, anxious or empty mood
• Abnormal sleep patterns
• Restlessness or irritability
• Appetite and weight fluctuations
• Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
• Persistent physical ailments that don’t respond to treatment
• Memory, concentration or decision-making difficulties
• Fatigue, low energy or lethargy
• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, sorrow or worthlessness
• Thought of death, suicide or doom

Nature’s Sunshine Supplements -SAMe, 5HTP, Chinese Mood Elevator, Nutri-Calm are some examples of great herbal stress relievers.

Consult with your medical professional if you are currently on antidepressants, antiolytics, pregnant or nursing.

Symptoms that are from prolonged fatigue, escalated anxiety, everyday life:

Physical symptoms...

• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Abdominal discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Frequent urination
• Numbness in hands or feet
• Tingly or prickly skin

Psychological symptoms...

• Inability to concentrate
• Insomnia
• Irritability or anger
• Feeling "out of control"
• Fear of going crazy

Nature’s Sunshine supplements -Nutri-calm, Stress Relief, Adrenal support help with the above physical and psychological symptoms.

Please stress relievers, take us away to that relaxation state of mind!

Stress relief is on the way!

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