Got Stress? Get Solutions!

Got Stress? Who doesn’t? What matters				impossible for people to consume enough quality
is how much stress, the duration of stress and				food to meet our nutritional needs. Multigenics
how we handle it. Prolonged stress places a				Intensive Care provides an essential,
tremendous burden on our system; especially the				comprehensive foundation for optimal health.
heart, blood vessels, brain health, adrenal glands				Vitamin B-Complex is an anti-stress nutrient. B
and our immune system. There is so much more				Vitamins work best in concert with one another,
to stress than what I can address in this article.				so for most people it’s best to take a
However, I hope to give you some valuable				B-complex rather than individual Bs. The
information on how stress impacts aging and				Metagenics Multi-vitamin provides a balance of B
memory, along with some practical things you can				vitamins, but some people need
do to manage stress.				more. Glycogenics is an advanced B-complex
Stress and Aging				formula thatpromotes a healthy stress response,
- Aging can be defined as the progressive loss of				healthy homocysteine metabolism and energy
the ability to deal with stress.				levels.
- Typically the bodies and minds of old and young				Vitamin C is also known as an anti-stress
work the same, unless presented with				vitamin. During stress, the urinary system
stress. Elderly have a more difficult time				excretes vitamin C at a significantly increased
functioning under stress and recovering from				rate. Ultra Potent-C 500 or 1000 is an exclusive,
stress when it is over.				patented formula that is designed to provide high
				levels of functional vitamin C in a short period of
Can Stress Accelerate Aging?				time.
- Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones,
including cortisol, corticosterone and				Adrenal support is important. Keeping the
cortisone. They work to provide resistance to				adrenal glands healthy will help you handle
stress and to regulate metabolism. An excessive				stress. The adrenal glands are the anti-stress
glucocorticoid level is the cause of death during				glands. Shrinking of the adrenal cortex is a side
aging in more than a dozen species.				effect of continual stress. Adreset features
- Normally glucocorticoid excretion slows down				standardized extracts of the adaptogenic herbs
when a certain level is attained.				ginseng, rhodiola and cordyceps for those who
- This negative feedback regulation does not				are stressed and tired. Research suggests that
work as well in the aging person. This leads to				these adaptogens aid the body in adapting to
further glucocorticoid exposure and even more				various stressful environmental challenges, thus
damage: a vicious cycle.				reducing some of the negative side effects of
- More about glucocorticoids later.				stress. These adaptogens may help promote
				vitality, immune function, and overall well-being.
So stress accelerates aging and aging accelerates				These are key components of a comprehensive
stress. It sounds bad, but the good news is that				longevity program.
it can be managed. First let’s look at how the
brain and memory are impacted by stress.				Calcium and Magnesium help relax and calm the
� Stress and Memory				central nervous system. Cal Apatite with
- Mild to moderate short-term stressors actually				Magnesium provides a 2:1 calcium to magnesium
enhance memory. The sympathetic nervous				ratio and is a great bone building supplement as
system arouses the hippocampus (part of the				well.
brain that plays a role in short term memory and				Antioxidants control oxidative stress, which is
spatial navigation) into a more alert, activated				increased during times of stress. Vitamin C is one
state. Who doesn’t remember where they				antioxidant. Oxygenics is a comprehensive
were and exactly how they felt during a major				antioxidant formula including vitamins A, C, E, Zinc,
stressful event, such as September 11 or when				Selenium, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Grape Seed Extract
Kennedy was assassinated? (if you are old				and more.
enough to remember) These situations				The supplements listed above are by Metagenics
demonstrate how a short-term stressor can				Nutraceuticals and are available at
enhance memory.				DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is an important
- Memory declines with severe and prolonged				hormone produced by the adrenal glands. With
stress. With the onset of stress, glucose delivery				prolonged stress, DHEA levels can become
throughout the brain increases. After about thirty				depleted. DHEA is important in weight
minutes, glucose delivery is no longer				management, cholesterol management and the
enhanced. With continued stress, delivery of				production of other important hormones such as
glucose to the brain is inhibited. Glucose is the				testosterone and estrogen. DHEA levels should
main fuel for our brains.				be tested by a healthcare practitioner before
				starting a supplement program. More about
� Stress and the				DHEA and other important hormones.
Brain				Healthful Diet
The cortex of the brain is where memories are				· Eliminate or restrict caffeine and
stored. The hippocampus accesses memories				alcohol
from the cortex. The retrieval of prior memories				· Eliminate refined carbohydrates
seems more vulnerable to stress than the				· Increase potassium to sodium
formation of new memories. Another part of the				ratio in the diet
brain, the amygdale, enhances emotional				· Eat regular planned meals in a
memories. The amygdale is highly activated				relaxed environment
during major stress and sends messages to the				· Control food allergies
hippocampus, disrupting its function. Factors				More about healthy foods on my web site listed
contributing to smaller hippocampus and thus,				at the end of this article.
more memory problems:
- Major depression				Calming the mind and body
- Post traumatic stress disorder				- Five to ten minutes daily of deep breathing,
- Excessive glucocorticoids				meditation, prayer, self-hypnosis or biofeedback.
- Repeated jet lag				- These days, just turning off the news more
- Neurological insults, leading to higher				often can help!
glucocorticoid levels				Lifestyle Factors
- Sensitivity to glucocorticoids				- Managing stress can help us age successfully.
				- The ability to feel in control, displace frustration
Glucocorticoids				and make social connections can help reduce
				stress.
Glucocorticoids include cortisol, corticosterone and				- More predictability in your life may help reduce
cortisone. They work to provide resistance to				stress.
stress and to regulate metabolism. Excessive				- Social support and a strong network of friends
amounts can result in Cushing’s				can help reduce stress.
Syndrome. The more severe the gucocorticoid				- Providing social support to others can help
excess, the greater the loss of hippocampal				reduce stress.
volume and the greater the memory problems.				- Pets (that is, if you like animals!) can help with
The evidence is good, but not definitive that				stress.
stress and/or prolonged exposure to				- Find an outlet for frustrations and utilize it
glucocorticoids can cause damage to the				regularly.
hippocampus.				- Time Management can help you feel in
Five Components of an Effective Stress				control. Organize and set priorities. Maybe let go
Management Program				of some things.
				Exercise
Nutritional and Herbal Support				- Regular exercise leads to increased ability to
				cope with stress and reduces the risk of
A good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement is				stress-related diseases.
important. Nutrient losses are much higher than				- Yoga is a great way to get exercise and calm
normal during stress. Today it is almost				the mind at the same time.

NutriCeuticals

Got Stress? Get Solutions!