STRESS

What is it?

Stress is an unavoidable and even necessary part of life. It is what keeps us motivated. However, even little every day stresses can cause problems over a period of time if you do not learn to handle them well. Many factors may cause stress including financial difficulties, relationship problems, illness, school or university exams, a high pressure job, conflict at work, or life events like moving house or getting married.

What are the symptoms?

Stress can be responsible for a number of symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, palpitations, difficulty breathing, chest pains, indigestion, gastrointestinal upsets, irritability, tearfulness, insomnia, poor appetite and stiff neck and shoulders.
Prolonged stress affects the immune system to aggravate any existing illness and lower resistance to infection. Maybe this is why you are always coming down with a cold or flu.
The adrenal glands, which normally pump out cortisol to help us cope with stress, eventually become exhausted and this may be the time that you notice flagging energy levels and start to develop symptoms (see Adrenal Insufficiency/Exhaustion).

How stress affects weight

When we are placed under a stressful situation, biochemical changes are set in action that can affect our homeostasis or 'balance'. It is being discovered in research that the physiological stress response and its ensuing effects on body chemistry may be responsible for weight gain.

The stress response is also known as the 'Fight or Flight' mechanism. Basically, this evolved to ensure survival of our early ancestors. Under threat, hormonal and chemical messengers in the body prepared one to stay and fight the threat to life and limb - or 'take to the hills'. This mechanism is still present in its primitive form in today's human beings - although our day to day life situations are vastly different. Family situations, financial worries, jobs, illness, etc. can all illicit the stress response.

Depending on a person's genetic predisposition, stress can affect virtually any part of the body and have physical, mental and emotional symptoms.

Not many people realize that stress can cause weight gain. Researchers have found that physical changes linked to elevated stress hormone (cortisol) can lead to insulin resistance and subsequent weight gain (see "Syndrome X") See also my book "Can't Lose Weight? You Could Have Syndrome X"

It could also be said that the stress link to weight gain is due to 'comfort eating' to cope with the stress. Stressed people tend to crave the types of foods that induce insulin release - starchy, sugary carbohydrates.

Treatment and general recommendations

If possible, take practical steps to change or resolve a stressful situation. For example, seek relationship counselling; speak to a supervisor or mediator at work about changing work practises or resolving a personality conflict; offload some of your responsibilities at home or work; cut down from full time to part time work; discuss money problems with a financial planner or bank manager.
Some of you may need to re-educate your thinking to realize that you are not indispensable; that others can carry out some of your tasks quite adequately even if not in exactly the same way as you, and that things like a perfectly spic and span house are not really important in the big scheme of things. However, it is worth trying to be organised so that you are not getting stressed about running late for an appointment or forgetting to do something important.
Relaxation exercises, yoga or meditation are great stress relievers. Regular physical exercise like going for a brisk walk is also highly beneficial to burn up those stress hormones and improve your feeling of general well-being.
Having a hobby or taking time out for yourself to do something relaxing like soaking in a bubble bath or having a therapeutic massage is another good way of releasing pent-up tensions.
Many people have found that acupuncture is helpful.

Diet

Follow the principles of eating on pages 20 - 30 of "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book". Include often - fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, wholegrain cereals and breads, nuts and seeds (their oils are great for the nervous system), garlic and ginger. Sprinkle a tablespoon of lecithin on your breakfast cereal; it is beneficial for the nerves and brain function.
Avoid - tea, coffee, sugar, salt and alcohol, which over-stimulate the adrenal glands. They may temporarily make you feel better, but in the long run will actually make stress worse. Try to eat regularly and avoid skipping meals.

Raw Juicing

Recommended juice recipe from "Raw Juices Can Save your Life Book" is: "Depression Juice recipe" on page 77.

Some excellent raw fruit and vegetable juices to combat stress include the following: a combination of broccoli, celery, parsley, carrot, red capsicum and tomato; or spinach, parsley, carrot and celery; or strawberries, pear, banana and brewer's yeast; or to help you off to sleep try lettuce and celery juice half an hour before bedtime.

Orthodox Medical Treatment

Minor tranquillizer drugs like diazepam ("Valium") are sometimes prescribed for stress or anxiety. These highly addictive medications should be used as a last resort, such as during a life crisis, for the shortest possible time. It is much safer to stick to the suggestions given above. If panic attacks develop, one of the antidepressant drugs can be extremely effective in preventing attacks.

Recommended books

"MAGNESIUM The Miracle Mineral" You won't believe the DIFFERENCE it makes to your HEALTH! This is my latest book and discusses Magnesium as being essential for hundreds of chemical reactions that take place in the body every second, with recent findings also indicating that it offers a wide range of important health-promoting benefits. See page 9 for these benefits.

Recommended supplements

Stress release formula

Take 1 - 2 tablets three times daily - A good formula will contain hypericum (St John’s wort) plus B-vitamins and minerals and is an excellent remedy for easing stress. It will work to reduce the impact that prolonged intensely stressful situations can have on the body.

Magnesium powder or tablets

Take 2 tablets twice daily or 1 teaspoon once daily. Magnesium is a very calming anti stress/anti anxiety mineral known as the 'great relaxer' and will promote restful sleep.

Selenium tablets

Take 2 tablets twice daily - Stress increases the production of free radicals in the body, which can harm the immune system. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant assisiting in protecting cells against oxidative stress.