Imagine that you‘ve just gone through one of the most stressful times of your life. Maybe you were diagnosed with a serious illness, went through a divorce, lost a loved one in death, been through an inappropriate sexual experience or experienced some other tragedy or life changing event. If these scenarios haven’t occurred in your life, maybe you’ve been under some other type of chronic stress for some time. You don’t sleep well, your stomach is upset, you feel anxious and unhappy more often than you’d like. No matter the cause, stress will leave its mark. How do we go on with our lives?
Many underestimate the powerful ability of stress to alter your state of mind, well-being and over-all health. When I went through a stressful event, I thought that eating well and taking my vitamins more regularly would do the trick and get me back to “normal”. While it’s a good idea to take care of yourself and eat healthy when you’ve gone through a stressful event, the mental and emotional effects stress cannot be ignored. I learned that with Post Traumatic Stress, your brain has been stressed and it can be very difficult to get better, maybe even impossible without help. The trauma you’ve experienced will stay with you until you face it head on. Maybe what has worked for me won’t work for everyone. Here are a few ideas:
1. Admit that you’re not doing so well. Tell someone you trust what’s been bothering you. Think about why the events you went through affected you personally.
2. See a professional if necessary.
3. Exercise with the focus on relaxation and not with your objective on achieving weight loss goals. You can do that later
4. Take advantage of remedies that help with stress reduction. (I bought a nice aromatherapy diffuser).
5. Breathing exercises are very important for reducing anxiety. There is a lot of information on this. Try breathing in slowly and deeply. Exhale with your tongue touching the back of your front teeth. Do this for 5 minutes as often as needed.
6. Of course if you’re a spiritual person, prayer is vital.
7. When you feel better, try to shift the focus off of yourself and back on to helping others and living in the moment. Focus on family, friends and other things you enjoy in life.
Vitamins, Herbs and Glandulars
What are glandulars? Glandulars are different from vitamins and herbs in the sense that they are targeting the endocrine system in particular. Glandulars are often used for improving glandular function in bodies that have been worn out from stress. Glandular therapy involves the use of purified extracts from the secretory endocrine glands from animals. Most commonly, the extracts are drawn from the thyroid and adrenal glands, as well as the thymus, pituitary, pancreas and ovaries. Most of these extracts come from cows, with the exception of pancreatic glandular preparations usually drawn from sheep.
Why Glandulars Work
Evidence has shown that large molecules can and do pass completely intact from the intestinal tract to the bloodstream. In fact, there is further evidence to suggest that your body is able to determine which molecules need to absorb whole, and which can be broken down. So, yes, glandulars can have a positive effect on the body. In essence, the active properties of the glandulars stay active and intact and are not destroyed in the digestive process. This is key to the success of glandular therapy and explains why they help restore hormone function by supporting the health of the adrenal glands themselves.
You may not have noticed glandulars for on the shelves at Health Food Stores. The best brands are available by prescription from practitioners in the field of Natural Health. You may call a chiropractor to see if they carry the brands Standard Process, or other trusted brands. They may recommend an adrenal preparation for you. It is advisable to arrange an appointment to see which recommendations are best for you. Always choose a practitioner who makes you feel comfortable. (Many seem to have their own agenda in some way.) Make sure they aren’t pushy and care about you and your health, so as not to cause you further stress. (You may also want to check amazon.com for adrenal complex by Standard Process).
Diet, exercise and vitamins also play a part in improving adrenal function. For more support, consider taking 1,000 mg of buffered vitamin C daily with a meal, 25-100 mg of a vitamin B complex a day, and an additional 250 mg of B5 (pantothenic acid) twice a day.
References:
Dr. Susan Lark's Hormone Revolution by Susan M. Lark MD
http://helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm
Disclaimer:
Those seeking help for specific medical conditions are advised to consult a qualified nutrition therapist, clinical nutritionist, doctor, or equivalent health care professional.
The recommendations given here are intended solely as education and information, and should not be taken as medical advice. Neither myself nor the sources mentioned accept liability for those who choose to self-prescribe.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease either physical or mental.
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Friday, November 11, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Series: Optimal Hormone Balance--Stress and Hormonal Health
Stress and Hormone Balance
Some of the hormones involved in adapting to stress are adrenaline, cortisol and DHA. Most people have heard of the “flight or fight” response to stressors and how this affects the body. Hormones are released in response to stressful situations or states of stress. Stress can cause your hormonal system to go haywire. This happens because when you are constantly under stress, you are literally wearing your body out! Prolonged stress is associated with speeding up the aging process, with a number of the diseases of digestion, and with hormone balance. A very profound statement is, “Any body system that is overstimulated will eventually malfunction.”
Stimulants
If you are living off of coffee, a high-sugar diet, or stress itself, you increase your risk of upsetting your thyroid balance ( which means you’re likely to gain weight) or calcium balance (resulting in arthritis) or of getting problems associated with sex-hormone imbalances and excessive cortisol. These are the long-term side effects of being stressed out all of the time. One way to reduce your stress levels is to reduce your intake of sugar and stimulants. The more dependent on stimulants you are, the more your blood sugar levels will fluctuate, with low blood sugar levels triggering the release of adrenal hormones. This means that just having a sugary diet and unbalanced blood sugar levels can put your body into the stress-response mode. Everyday stress plus coffee, and a high sugar diet is a recipe for ruining your hormonal system.
Irregular Periods
If your periods are either absent of irregular and you’re not in menopause or pregnant, it is worth checking out the cause. Absent or irregular periods are associated with low weight, strenuous exercise, anorexia nervosia, taking the contraceptive pill, or extreme stress. Extreme stress can lead to either missed periods or more frequent periods. (Follow the dietary recommendations given in this article).
Stress and Estrogen Dominance
The hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle estrogen and progesterone can be skewed by stress. The balance between estrogen and progesterone is critical. Stress can interfere with your ability to ovulate, thereby blocking progesterone function and pushing further into estrogen dominance. If a woman does not ovulate, no progesterone is produced during that cycle. This is because progesterone is produced in the sac that contains the ovum, once the ovum is released. If no progesterone is produced there is relative estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and PMS.
Learn about how the pill eliminates ovulation at about.com under "Withdrawl bleeding."
Diet Tips for Hormonal Health:
• Keep animal fats very low in your diet.
• Choose organic vegetables and meat whenever possible to reduce pesticide and hormone exposure.
• Don’t eat fatty foods wrapped in PVC cling film.
• Use stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and sugar only on occasion, if at all. If you’re addicted to any of these, break the habit.
• Do not let stress become a habit in your life. Identify sources of stress and make some positive changes to your circumstances and the way you react to them.
• Make sure you’re getting enough essential fats from seeds, their oils, or supplements of evening primrose, borage or flax oil.
• Make sure your supplement program includes optimal levels of vitamins B3, and B6, biotin, magnesium and zinc. (see Wellness Resources Vitamins link on this page for a good quality multi-vitamin)
• If you have PMS or menopausal symptoms, consider taking a hormone –friendly supplement containing extra vitamins B3, B6, and C, and biotin, magnesium, and zinc, and/or the herbs agnus castus, dong quai, black cohosh, and St. John’s Wart.
• Natural Progesterone is available on prescription should a saliva test reveal a need for supplementation.
Sources:
Balance Your Hormones Naturally by Kate Neil and Patrick Holford
The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford
Dr. Susan Lark’s Hormone Revolution by Susan M. Lark, MD
Disclaimer:
The article presented here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease whether mental or physical. Please see a licensed health care practitioner for medical concerns. If you have medical concerns, you may consult your doctor before beginning a supplement program.
Some of the hormones involved in adapting to stress are adrenaline, cortisol and DHA. Most people have heard of the “flight or fight” response to stressors and how this affects the body. Hormones are released in response to stressful situations or states of stress. Stress can cause your hormonal system to go haywire. This happens because when you are constantly under stress, you are literally wearing your body out! Prolonged stress is associated with speeding up the aging process, with a number of the diseases of digestion, and with hormone balance. A very profound statement is, “Any body system that is overstimulated will eventually malfunction.”
Stimulants
If you are living off of coffee, a high-sugar diet, or stress itself, you increase your risk of upsetting your thyroid balance ( which means you’re likely to gain weight) or calcium balance (resulting in arthritis) or of getting problems associated with sex-hormone imbalances and excessive cortisol. These are the long-term side effects of being stressed out all of the time. One way to reduce your stress levels is to reduce your intake of sugar and stimulants. The more dependent on stimulants you are, the more your blood sugar levels will fluctuate, with low blood sugar levels triggering the release of adrenal hormones. This means that just having a sugary diet and unbalanced blood sugar levels can put your body into the stress-response mode. Everyday stress plus coffee, and a high sugar diet is a recipe for ruining your hormonal system.
Irregular Periods
If your periods are either absent of irregular and you’re not in menopause or pregnant, it is worth checking out the cause. Absent or irregular periods are associated with low weight, strenuous exercise, anorexia nervosia, taking the contraceptive pill, or extreme stress. Extreme stress can lead to either missed periods or more frequent periods. (Follow the dietary recommendations given in this article).
Stress and Estrogen Dominance
The hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle estrogen and progesterone can be skewed by stress. The balance between estrogen and progesterone is critical. Stress can interfere with your ability to ovulate, thereby blocking progesterone function and pushing further into estrogen dominance. If a woman does not ovulate, no progesterone is produced during that cycle. This is because progesterone is produced in the sac that contains the ovum, once the ovum is released. If no progesterone is produced there is relative estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and PMS.
Learn about how the pill eliminates ovulation at about.com under "Withdrawl bleeding."
Diet Tips for Hormonal Health:
• Keep animal fats very low in your diet.
• Choose organic vegetables and meat whenever possible to reduce pesticide and hormone exposure.
• Don’t eat fatty foods wrapped in PVC cling film.
• Use stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and sugar only on occasion, if at all. If you’re addicted to any of these, break the habit.
• Do not let stress become a habit in your life. Identify sources of stress and make some positive changes to your circumstances and the way you react to them.
• Make sure you’re getting enough essential fats from seeds, their oils, or supplements of evening primrose, borage or flax oil.
• Make sure your supplement program includes optimal levels of vitamins B3, and B6, biotin, magnesium and zinc. (see Wellness Resources Vitamins link on this page for a good quality multi-vitamin)
• If you have PMS or menopausal symptoms, consider taking a hormone –friendly supplement containing extra vitamins B3, B6, and C, and biotin, magnesium, and zinc, and/or the herbs agnus castus, dong quai, black cohosh, and St. John’s Wart.
• Natural Progesterone is available on prescription should a saliva test reveal a need for supplementation.
Sources:
Balance Your Hormones Naturally by Kate Neil and Patrick Holford
The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford
Dr. Susan Lark’s Hormone Revolution by Susan M. Lark, MD
Disclaimer:
The article presented here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease whether mental or physical. Please see a licensed health care practitioner for medical concerns. If you have medical concerns, you may consult your doctor before beginning a supplement program.
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