Stress Less with Supplementation!

I am a huge fan of Adeeva Nutritionals - a Canadian supplement company founded by Dr. James Meschino - my nutrition professor at CMCC as well under whom I studied for my fellowship in Integrative Nutrition. 

This month, his focus is on Stress. Here is a tidbit from his recent newsletter of what stress is and how it affects us and what supplements are clinically proven to help mitigate the effects of stress on our bodies: 

"It’s a known fact that stress and anxiety plague 80% of Americans. Stress manifests itself psychologically and physically, with the more common symptoms being fatigue, headache, sleep disturbances, digestive upset, muscle tension, and irritability. Stress is also known to rob the body of essential vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet and smart supplementation with essential nutrients can help the body fight back. To replace your “nutrient fuel tank”, look no further than your high-potency multi-vitamin. Make sure it contains adequate amounts of the following nutrients, by reviewing its ingredients with your healthcare professional.

 

Here are the key nutrients to look for in your mulitivitamin:   

Anti-Stress Nutrients	Areas of Beneficial Impact
B-Complex	Improves neurotransmitter function related to  mood, anxiety, depression Energy level Boosts liver detoxification
Vitamin C	Immune system Supports adrenal hormone synthesis Reduces levels of stress hormones
Magnesium	Muscle tension / cramping Natural relaxant
Calcium	Nerve and muscle relaxant
Zinc	Boosts immune system Enhances wound healing
Copper	Supports red blood cell formation
Chromium	Blood sugar regulation
Iron	Energy production
Selenium	Supports immune system Thyroid hormone synthesis

n addition, many scientists have confirmed that chronic stress disrupts normal hormonal secretion patterns  and creates hyperactivity in the nervous system.The common cause of many stress-related health problems is the oversecretion of cortisol. When we’re subjected to chronic stress, the adrenals pump out excess amounts of cortisol, producing a myriad of negative health effects such as:

Immune suppression	Memory impairment
Weight gain	Chronic inflammation
Blood sugar elevation &  insulin resistance	High blood pressure
Fluid retention	Breaking down of muscle
Wrinkles & aging	Osteoporosis

 

Adaptogens, discovered in certain herbs, prevent the oversecretion of cortisol and help reduce the impact of stress on the body in numerous ways. The adaptogen-containing herbs that provide the best anti-stress benefits and have the best safety record include Rodiola, Schisandra and Ashwaghanda.

Working synergistically, these herbs have been shown to tone down the over-secretion of cortisol, maintain more optimal immune function and support the brain’s ability to make optimal amounts of memory and feel-good chemicals (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine etc) under periods of chronic stress. These nutritional adaptogens can be found in standardized grades and optimal amounts in Adrenal Support Formula (Adeeva Nutritionals)."

Here's to less Stress,

Dr. Shamira

www.artofwellness.ca

 

we are in

CanadianPlanet

Ontario