Nutritional information for stress
When you experience the stress, you can feel the effects right away, " explains Dr. Paul J. Rosch, M.D. President of the American Institute of Stress in Yonkers, New York. " Your body reacts with a biological response known as "flight or fight" which triggers an increased release of adrenaline and other stress-related hormones that quicken your heart rate, elevate your blood pressure and prepare your muscles and nervous system for action. When your body is called on to respond to stress too often, it can't cope, and certain health and/or beauty problems may result. Some, like a stroke can't be seen until it's too late. Others like acne, show up right away."
Dr. Hans Selye has been called the father of stress because of his pioneer research in the area of stress, which has now been confirmed by scientists all over the world. His scientific studies uncovered a specific glandular chain reaction which was carried out regardless of the type or variety of stress, real or imaginary. The pituitary has been called the universal or master gland because of its control and regulating influence over all other glands. It is the first gland called into action at the onset of stress. With the acknowledgement of stress, the pituitary secretes certain hormones, ACTH and STH. These two hormones are directed to their target sight, the adrenals. They arrive there via the blood stream and activate the adrenal medulla or the inner regions of the adrenals. With the activation of the adrenals., they are ready to prepare the body to meet stress or whatever emergency arises.
The health disorders that surface at this time are those associated with pituitary and adrenal insufficiency. Nervous disorders, chronic fatigue, asthma, sinusitis, colds, pneumonia, hypoglycemia, allergies (hives, dermatitis, sneezing attacks, frequent colds), lowered resistance, arthritis, bursitis, neuritis, instability, inability to work under pressure, inflammatory and ulcerative conditions which fail or are slow to heal, and fast heart beat.
Nutritional needs now skyrocket and must be supplied in higher than average quantities. For some individuals it may be necessary to supply a complex of anti-stress nutrients hourly.
A possible suggested balance of anti-stress nutrients is recommended.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine HCL)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCL)
Niacin
Pantothenic Acid
Folic Acid
PABA
Vitamin B 12
Inositol
Calcium
Magnesium
Siberian Ginseng
Zinc (chelate)
Manganese (chelate)
Vitamin C (w/Rose Hips)
L-Tryptophane
L-Tryosine
skullcap
Passion Flower
Hops
Potassium (citrate)
The nutritional needs of individual invariably skyrockets at the onset of stress and remains high in comparison with individuals not under stress. If nutritional requirements are met, little harm is done. However if not, damage may be severe and even at times fatal.
B-COMPLEX VITAMINS
If the diet has been inadequate in the B Complex vitamins, sufficient pituitary hormones cannot be produced. A pantothenic acid deficiency causes the adrenal gland to atrophy, cortisone and other adrenal hormones can no longer be produced. Many of the hormones are made from cholesterol, which in itself is a steroid. However, it cannot be converted to pituitary, adrenal and sex hormones without the aid of pantothenic acid. Even just a slight deficiency of vitamin B2 can cause a degeneration of the adrenals. When B2 and pantothenic acid, as well as other B vitamins are given to individuals who were previously deficient, they immediately promote normal adrenal function.
VITAMIN C
Adrenal hormones are not completely dependent upon Vitamin C for their production, however the need for Vitamin C is tremendously increased by stress. In fact the gland can actually hemorrhage if Vitamin C is not supplied in adequate quantity to relieve stress. Vitamin C is also a very effective detoxifier of harmful substances formed in the body during stress. An animal, such as the goat, comparable in size to an average size man of 154 pounds, normally produces 15,000 mgs of Vitamin C per day, a complete supply must come from the diet and/or supplementary form.
Manganese
Manganese activates a number of enzyme systems which are necessary for the utilization of Vitamin C and the B complex vitamins. Manganese is as necessary for pituitary function as Iodine is to the thyroid. Dr. Carl C. Pfeiffer, the noted Director of the Brain Bio Center, is quick to note that all mental stress conditions should be supplemented with this important mineral. Manganese may also be of benefit to strengthen a mothers love and maternal protection of her child. It was used in a number of studies and found effective in treating schizophreni, other studies did not confirm this. However the possibility of its therapeutic effects are open for investigation.
Calcium and Magnesium work together as a natural tranquilizer, they are called Natures perfect tranquilizer.
Calcium has been used with much success in the treatment of stress and anxiety. A deficiency causes increased irritability and even a tiny decrease of calcium in the blood can produce uncontrollable temper outbursts. Emotional Stress or heavy physical exertion can deplete blood calcium which can also result in nervousness and irritability. It is thought that 30 percent of the population is calcium deficient.
Zinc
Zinc is involved with many enzyme systems that are directly involved with conditions of stress. Zinc is able to stimulate the immune system and to protect against the invasion of any foreign substance such as viruses. Research at the University of Michigan showed a significant relationship between high academic grades and above average levels of Zinc. Zinc deficiency, like all trace minerals deficiency, is prevalent in our society because of soil exhaustion, food processing, careless cooking, and eating junk foods. Zinc seems to have a direct effect of relieving stress.
Potassium
Studies done on potassium found that when potassium was deficient the adrenals became severely damaged and were no longer able to response to the various stages of stress. The minor stresses of the day then became major ones because of the poor ability to cope with the stress conditions.
Skullcap, Hops, Passion flower, natures most powerful herbal combination. They have been known for centuries to have the ability to relieve stress and act as a natural sedative. Skullcap contains scutellarin, a natural oil which produces an incredible calmness on the nerves. Passion Flower has been used for nervousness, insomnia, hysteria, headaches, hypertension. Hops contain Lupulin which is recognized for its remarkable sedative powers. As a nervine it is one of the best in the entire plant kingdom because it is fairly strong and yet is safe to use according to John Heinerman, anthropological researcher. Also he claims Hops has a good amount of Vitamin B which is , as we stated before, useful for the nerves. Unlike other nervines, such as belladonna, which can kill a person if misused, hops is relatively mild by nature and will not harm anyone taking it.