Stress literally means forces from the outside world impinging on the individual.
Stress, however, is a normal part of life that can help us learn and grow. On the other hand, stress can cause us serious problems. Stress releases potent neurochemicals and hormones that prepare us to fight, flee or freeze. Continuous stimulation of these neurochemicals overtaxes our system and can lead to health problems. Long-lasting, constant, unanticipated, and unmanageable stresses are the most damaging types of stress.
The way we deal with stress – alcohol, smoking, drugs, antidepressants, overeating, shopping – is essentially counterproductive for the stress itself and can worsen the condition and cause anxiety.
Effective stress management consists of a combination of regular exercise, down time (one hour a day, one day a week and one week every fourth month), yoga, relaxation or meditation techniques. Managing stress before it turns into a serious health condition such as depression, anxiety, insomnia or else is more than advisable.
Tolerance and predisposition for stress-related illnesses vary greatly among people.
While some have high tolerance for stress or trauma others fly off the handle because of a red light. Biochemical individuality is a phenomenon, not only medically, but also psychologically.
Accumulated trauma plays another role in the stress world. A lot of us suffer from some kind of childhood trauma or other undigested traumatic events such as accidents, surgeries etc.. This may be conscious or unconscious. In teenage and adult years more trauma accrues and finally, when our nervous system is ‘full’ and overwhelmed with excess trauma, then anxiety, insomnia, depression and other stress-related diseases can creep in. The anxiety that is felt really is unbound energy floating around in the body.
Dr. Peter Levine (Author of ‘Waking the tiger’) has studied trauma in humans for over 30 years and concluded that trauma sits in the body, in the nervous system and consists of excessive, unreleased energy. Animals in the wild do not suffer from trauma. For example, an impala that is chased by a lion and freezes to escape the lion’s molars will shake off the trauma, the excess energy, once the near death situation is overcome. The shaking may last for about ten minutes to completely rid the body of trauma.
Humans do not follow this animalistic instinct anymore, our reptilian brain is overshadowed by the more sophisticated, rational neocortex brain. Yet our reptilian brain is still very much alive and solely responsible for trauma management. Our neocortex unfortunately is not the master over trauma, this is the reptilian brain’s job – much to our demise. The neocortex part of the brain tells us ‘get up, go on, you’re fine, don’t let them notice anything, don’t shake, don’t be weak’. If we did, however, take a moment to ‘deal’ with a car accident for example, to handle it the right way by allowing us to feel and release the energy, the traumatic effects may be greatly reduced. Dr. Peter Levine developed certain exercises to release trauma and discharge excessive energy. These exercises can be taught by a Somatic Experience Practitioner. An expert may be located on www.traumahealing.com.
Supplement options and stress-related illnesses
Tolerance and the toll stress takes is different for all of us. Some may develop insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, canker sores, chronic fatigue, depression, skin rashes – all these conditions may be related to stress. Blood results and bodily symptomalogy can serve as a good indicator to determine where and how the stress influences us. Determination of body type is crucial when pointing a patient in a supplement direction. Questions like is someone a slow oxidizer, a fast oxidizer, an overmethylator, an undermethylator, is someone traumatized, does someone have digestive problems – all these matters must be considered before an appropriate remedy can be suggested.
A hair analysis is one of the easiest tools to determine what kind of toxicity or deficiency exist in your bodily system. I strongly recommend doing a hair analysis. Anxious or traumatized patients often show depleted adrenal glands, thyroid or digestive problems or other deficiencies. The hair analysis indicates what supplements to take to correct the situation. This alone can bring calm back into your life.
However, generally speaking, the most effective supplements to help combat the debilitating effects of stress, anxiety and trauma are:
Phosphatidylserine
By boosting glucose metabolism and stimulating production of acetylcholine, supplemental phosphatidylserine has been shown to improve the condition of patients experiencing age-associated memory impairment or cognitive decline.
Treatment with phosphatidylserine caused anxiety levels to decrease significantly and interests and socialization to increase, while long-term memory and learning also improved. Blood samples revealed that phosphatidylserine significantly blunted the responses of stress hormones, such as adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol.
L-Theanine
Animal studies have shown that theanine increases GABA (gamma-amino-butyric acid), an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA can be considered the brain’s natural sedative. Other animal studies found theanine was able to increase levels of dopamine, another brain chemical with mood-enhancing effects. L-theanine is a general relaxant and can safely be taken by anyone.
Ashwagandha
In a large clinical trial, ashwagandha reduced levels of the hormone cortisol by up to 26 percent, while lowering fasting blood sugar levels and improving lipid profiles. Subjects who took the standardized ashwagandha extract reported improvements in energy, sleep, and well being, as well as diminished fatigue. Additional research suggests that ashwagandha confers neuroprotection by supporting the regeneration of axons and dendrites, nerve cell components that support brain and nervous system function.
Aconite
A homeopathic remedy (aconitum) best taken immediately after a traumatic incident. It can prevent long-term symptoms of trauma such as anxiety, panic attacks, stress etc. Aconite is also highly effective for fever and flu, however its proven beneficial effects in treating trauma are impressive. The remedy may be taken months after the traumatic incident, it helps release excessive physical energy.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort (hypericin extract) is a weak inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A, which may destroy dopamine in the brain and lead to low spirits. Flavonoids, hypericin, and pseudo-hypericin are the constituents thought to be associated with the benefits of St. John’s Wort. In particular, hypericin appears to be the active ingredient
Adapton
There is a species of deep sea fish called garum armoricum, whose only known habitat is off the coast of England. An extract from this fish is sold under the trade name Adapton. The active ingredients in Adapton (Garum armoricum extract) have been shown to improve the body’s ability to adapt to mentally and physically stressful conditions.
Relora
Relora® is a patent pending plant extract of Phellodendron amurense and Magnolia officinalis that may help to relieve stress and minimize stress-induced eating. Weight gain can be associated with emotional over-eating for people with stressful lifestyles. Preliminary research suggests that Relora® may help regulate cortisol levels in the body that are associated with stress-related weight gain.
Melatonin
Helps restore normal youthful sleep patterns. In higher doses of 10 mg daily produce weak stimulation of growth hormone & doubles the response to other growth ormone releasers. It boosts immune function, impacts fertility (if too high or too low.), helps to protect against brain damage caused by low or no blood flow, can help block excess cortisol release (which occurs with stress & aging & suppresses immunity) & protect against steroid toxicity.
B-complex
Critical for cognitive & mood disorders, anxiety, sleep disorders, healthy nerves, liver function, adrenal function, energy & blood sugar regulation & the metabolism of all foods.
Vitamin C, Inositol, B6
These are the sleep vitamins. Vitamin C is depleted from the tissues, particularly the adrenal cortex during stressful periods. A minor shock may instantly burn 4000mg of vitamin C in the adrenals. Vitamin C has a sedative effect and is anti-anxiety. Inositol has sedative, anti-anxiety, calming effect and is great for insomnia. B6 increases dopamine content of the brain, enhances dreaming,
Niacin
Helps smokers reduce use of nicotine, increase effects of tranquilizers, decreases effects of LSD, mescaline, effective in treating alcoholics (low histamine patients), in conjunction with vitamin C, biochemical treatment for schizophrenia
Magnesium
Magnesium is a natural muscle and nerve relaxer, essential as part of the lipotropic factors to detox the liver, builds bone, helps fight PMS, eases bowel movements,
DMAE
Enhances cognitive function, in particular short-term memory, improves overall mood and sense of wellbeing, has antiaging effects on the skin, increases alertness, alleviates anxiety, increases assertiveness, reduces apathy and increases motivation in persons afflicted with depression, improves sleep quality, better dreams.
Calms Forte
Relieves nervous tension and occasional sleeplessness. Calms Forté™ tablets are composed of four botanicals long used by doctors and health practitioners to soothe and quiet irritated nerves and edginess without sedatives or tranquilizers. In addition, Calms Forté™ includes five biochemic phosphates in 3X potency, which feed and strengthen the nerves of the body, helping you withstand everyday stress and strain.
5-HTP
5-HTP has been helpful for some people, but the effects are not consistent in everyone who uses it. Some people are deficient in serotonin and hence 5-HTP may be helpful to them whereas other people may have depression, anxiety, and other symptoms that may appear to be due to serotonin deficiency, but may actually be from other causes.
Biochemic phosphates
Minerals in homeopathic form for nervous exhaustion, irritability, insomnia. Super-absorbable, developed by a German, Dr. Schuessler who patented the use of mineral salts in homeopathic form.
Many supplements aiding stress-related conditions are available, not all are effective for everyone. Without professional consultation with a nutritionist, sufferers often get disillusioned by the number of supplements aiding stress. Supplements do work, yet it is challenging finding the right one for our biochemical complexity. That is why I recommend a hair analysis .
