STRESS & CORTISOL

Are you under stress? Most of us are, however, if your stress is fairly constant and ongoing, you may have elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that when secreted in excess creates havoc in the body and causes weight gain.

There are many signs of being under stress, and producing too much cortisol, for instance:

• Frequent stressful situations
• Frequent fatigue for no apparent reason
• Poor sleep, or very little sleep
• Feeling anxious or depressed on a regular basis
• Uncontrolled bursts of anger
• Feeling overwhelmed or confused
• Low sex drive
• Uncontrolled food cravings
• Weak immune system
• Headaches, or muscle tension
• Digestive problems on a regular basis
• High blood pressure, and , or high cholesterol
• Weight gain around the mid-section

Stress is something we encounter on a regular basis, it can provide the motivating push to focus the mind and meet a deadline, or complete a project. Cortisol is our primary hormone secreted during stress. In small amounts, cortisol is needed by the body to control carbohydrate metabolism, inflammation, and cardiovascular function. Unfortunately, while small amounts of cortisol are a "good" thing, too much cortisol, for too long, is most certainly a "bad" thing because it leads us to develop a number of adverse health conditions. Elevated cortisol levels have been associated with a wide range of health effects from increased appetite, to weight gain, to diabetes, to depression.

Cortisol is a particular trouble maker when it comes to weight management: In the body, cortisol is a potent signal to do two things – increase appetite and store fat. This means that whenever we're under stress, the increased cortisol in our body tells our brain that we're hungry, while at the same time telling our fat cells to store as much fat as they can (and then hold on to it as tightly as possible). Cortisol blocks the effectiveness of insulin on the cells, contributing to insulin resistance which leads to weight gain, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. It lowers serotonin levels so we feel depressed. It blocks growth hormone so we loose muscle mass and gain fat instead. It messes up our reproductive hormone balance, triggering weight gain and loss of sex drive.

Supplements to Reduce Cortisol:

Nutri-Calm - This is the key supplement for high stress, and needs to be part of any cortisol control program. The formula contains a full B-Complex along with Vitamin C to support the adrenals, in a base of calming herbs to support the nervous system. 3 per day. Spread your B-complex out thru-out the day as they are water soluble, what you don’t use in the morning will be flushed out in the urine by noon. Approximately 30 mg. 3 times daily (this is the amount in 3 Nutri-calm.)

Adrenal Support - If you have been under stress for a long time and have even begun to feel burned out at times this formula could really help you. Adrenal Support formula strengthens and enhances the function of your adrenal glands (your stress glands) so you are better able to handle stress. This in turn reduces cortisol output. 1-2 capsules twice daily.

Herbal Sleep- Take at bedtime to help induce a more restful sleep. Chronic stress disrupts sleep, which also inhibits the body’s ability to repair itself. When there are increased levels of stress-related hormones in the body, insomnia and sleep disruption become more frequent. You need at least 7 ½ hours of sleep per night to help balance cortisol levels. As little as one hour of lost sleep per night can increase cortisol levels by 50%. I find 3-4 capsules at bedtime is a good dose for most people.

Skeletal Strength - provides calcium and magnesium in an easily absorbed form along with all the co-factor vitamins and minerals needed for absorption. Calcium and magnesium are very important for a properly functioning nervous system. They also help your muscles stay relaxed during times of stress.

AdaptaMax - This might be considered an herbal stress supporting formula. I prefer this formula for people who have high stress jobs, or busy lifestyles. For example, a sudden change of jobs would create a lot of stress and increase cortisol levels. This formula combines herbs that support adrenal function, the immune system, and help you adapt to stress. The formula also contains kelp to feed the thyroid gland, and chromium to cut cravings for carbohydrates. It also increases energy. It would be a great choice in this circumstance.