We live in such a hectic world that we accept stress as part of normal living. In reality, stress is linked with heart disease, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, skin problems and digestive disorders. On top of this, people who are stressed usually over-eat, drink, smoke or use drugs to help them “cope” with stress which compounds the impact stress has on their wellbeing.
In times of stress, your adrenal glands produce adrenalin and cortisol. Adrenalin prepares your body to take action (fight or flight). Too much adrenalin will wear you out making you feel on edge, shaky, nervous and exhausted. If adrenalin production continues for a long time your body starts releasing cortisol -- whose long term effects include: increased blood pressure, poor memory, decreased immunity/wound healing, muscle breakdown, blood sugar imbalance and abdominal fat.
While I can’t solve the cause of your stress, I can help you solve nutritional deficiencies that may be contributing to high stress:
Magnesium and calcium – decreases muscle tension, anxiety and improves sleep. Aim for 500mg per day
Vitamin C – adrenal glands need Vitamin C (as well as B) to combat depressed immune function caused by stress
Vitamin B Complex – supports adrenal gland function – make sure to take B vitamins in the morning as they help energy production, and take them with food
Omega 3 fatty acids – can help relieve depression and increase brain function
Protein, choline – a deficiency can affect your pituitary glands ability to cope with stress
Tyrosine – this amino acid can assist adrenal gland and thyroid function
** Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) greatly influences how well you manage stress. Your brain relies solely on glucose. So when your blood sugar level drops, your brain sees it as a stress and stimulates your adrenal glands. You crave junk food and feel nervous, anxious, moody, shaky, experience cold sweats, and feel nauseous and depressed. If you experience any of these symptoms you can easily reduce your stress by maintaining a stable blood sugar level by eating regular meals (approximately every 3 hours) with low GI/complex carbohydrates and lean protein at each meal.
