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Natural Nutrients for Stress

This is the time of year where people are starting to get fatigued and ready for a break.  However, work needs finishing before the holidays, the kids needing taking to all their end of term activities and of course there are all the Christmas preparations.   All of these pressures can lead to increased stress before the holidays and how many times have you worked flat out and as soon as you take a break you spend half of it being sick?

Being stressed is not just about mentally coping; it also has a huge physiological effect on the body. The body moves our nervous system into fight or flight mode, which causes our adrenal glands to start producing chemicals putting us on high alert.  These can adversely impact blood sugar balance, sleep, tension and blood pressure to name but a few effects.  Being stressed long term can affect our memory, energy, moves focus from immune system and can leave our poor adrenal glands wrung out and struggling.

When looking at solutions for supporting our stress and energy levels during busy periods we need to nourish our adrenal glands, support our nervous system and relax the body.  This can be done in a number of lifestyle ways from healthy eating, relaxation techniques, exercise and learning to say NO. There are 5 key nutrients that are a must for our stress survival kit that support the nervous system and body in a number of different ways.

Siberian Ginseng

This herb is part of a category of herbs known as adaptogens.  They help the body to adapt to stress by moving the nervous system out of fight or flight mode.  This helps with all the effects described above and moves us back towards a more relaxed state.  Withania also supports healthy sleep patterns and the production of thyroid hormones for healthy metabolism and energy.  Other adaptogens like Siberian Ginseng also have these effects.

Licorice root

This herb, used to make tasty sweets, also has some amazing therapeutic properties.  It acts as a tonic for the adrenal glands, which helps nourish them when they have been over worked and unloved for a while.  In this way it can help revitalise energy levels.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is such an important vitamin when we are stressed that some of the highest stores of it are found in the adrenal glands.  This is because it is used in the manufacturing process for creating our stress hormones.  Since it is also essential component for our immune system function,  if it is all used up to make stress hormones you could see why you might fall sick.  This makes it doubly important to increase our Vitamin C levels for support during busy times.

Magnesium

Magnesium is so important for making things in the body happen, including the production of our stress hormones.  It is essential for relaxing our muscles, so you may find when you are under stress you get restless legs or super tight shoulders.  It helps relax the blood vessels supporting healthy blood pressure that can often rise when we are extremely busy.  It is the first mineral to look at when sleep is broken or fitful.

Vitamin B5

All of our B vitamins are really important for supporting our nervous system and for giving us energy, especially during stressful times. Vitamin B5, in particular, is used by the adrenal glands in the production of stress hormones.  Therefore increasing pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) when we are busy can be beneficial for improving our body’s response to stress.

By Jane Cronin

Clinicians Naturopath

Clinicians Stress & Energy Support provides vitamins, minerals, botanicals and amino acids. These nutrients work together to support adrenal function and the effects of low energy, fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks and the ability to cope with stress. Buy it now from our secure online shop.

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