Everyone suffers from stress at some point in time: the death of a family member, a change of career, divorce. Such things are called “acute” stressors, meaning the stress response occurs because of a single event. It can be defined as “the response to an immediate threat, real or perceived”. Chronic stress, on the other hand, is stress that results from ongoing tense situations. Most people live in a state of chronic stress. Busy traffic, high pressure jobs, and the modern lifestyle all contribute to non-stop physical and psychological stimulation.
The impact of chronic stress can be devastating to health, causing problems in every major system in the body. Conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic headaches, weight gain, sleep disturbance, digestive disorders, and even cancer are just some of the more common issues associated with stress.
The right nutrition can help by reducing the impact of stress on the body, repairing the damage done by stress, and optimally preparing the body for future stress.
Go Organic
Chemicals found in commercial meats and produce are toxic, meaning they contain trace amounts of poison. The body must detoxify these chemicals, which cause added, unnecessary stress on the body. Avoid this unnecessary wear and tear on the body by eating organic foods. To learn more about this topic, read Go Organic.
Avoid the Following:
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Processed / Refined Foods
- Additives / Preservatives
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Drugs / Nicotine
- Sugar
The above substances are both nutrient deficient and depleting (meaning they actually rob your body of its stores of nutrients). They also stimulate heart rate, affect mood, behaviors and brain chemistry, and can lead to dependence. These are all things that will only compound the health issues associated with stress.
Increase the Following:
B-Vitamins
The B-vitamins support the entire nervous system and the adrenal glands (which regulate the stress response by secreting hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline). They also are essential to energy production and provide support to the immune system (which suffers greatly under chronic stress). The B-vitamins also help maintain regular blood sugar levels, which may become irregular due to stress. For more info on B-vitamins, read this article.
Foods that contain B-vitamins include Brewer’s yeast, liver, soy, broccoli, legumes, fresh meats, unprocessed grains, lentils, salmon, corn, nuts, sunflower seeds, egg and citrus fruit.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it prevents oxidation of molecules (a fancy way of saying it boosts health in many serious ways). Most people know that Vitamin C helps improve immunity, but it also has been found to reduce blood pressure as well as reduce the actual symptoms of stress. This is because of its ability to lower cortisol (the stress hormone) levels.
Foods that contain Vitamin C include citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, melon, tomatoes, broccoli, mango, and red and green bell peppers.
Amino Acids
Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein (which is found in every cell of the body). They support brain function, especially that of neurotransmitters, which can dramatically impact mood and behaviors. Because of this, amino acids can help relieve symptoms of stress.
Foods that contain Amino Acids include eggs, meat, fish, and complimentary vegetarian proteins (such as beans with rice).
Magnesium
This mineral helps with muscle relaxation and heartbeat regulation. It has been shown to help cure insomnia and anxiety, two issues common in people under chronic stress.
Foods that contain Magnesium include dairy, meat, eggs, fish, seafood, green leafy vegetables, nuts, tofu, and whole grains.
Reference:
- Murray, Michael T. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, 1996.
For more articles like this, read Vegetarianism and The REAL Reason Diets Don’t Work.
