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November 2001	Alternative Health Care
How to Recognize Stress Symptoms & Reduce Physical After-effects by Linda Page, N.D., Ph.D.

Help for You & Your Family
to Counter After-Effects Of Stress,
Shock and Trauma

Most Americans say they're under more stress than ever before. What exactly is the stress-disease connection?

The shock of the September 11th tragedy, including the ongoing day by day after-shocks and media-overload, the new fears that the vulnerability of our freedom has revealed, the repeating of the experience in our minds––all add even more layers of stress that affects our health and the health of our children. (Take the test below to check and see if you, too, are experiencing the symptoms of stress.)

Keep in mind that the stress-disease connection is today's norm––the result of every day stressors like: air pollutants, toxic reactions to metals or chemical halogens like chlorine and fluoride, chronic low-grade fevers, infections, parasite invasions, allergies and sensitivities to today's foods and of course, strong emotional reactions. Many people in America are under high stress most of the time.

Before the terrorist attacks, over 20 million Americans suffered from health complications linked to chronic stress and more than half of all patients visiting their doctor complain of stress-related fatigue. This number is expected to grow as Americans mourn and grieve for new losses.

Chronic stress raises your health risk...the more "stressed out" you are, the more vulnerable you are to colds, flu, allergies, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Stress is usually at the heart of chronic fatigue, interrupted sleep, headaches, hypoglycemia, arthritis and compromised immune response. Stress irritates body tissues in the form of gastritis, ulcers, cystitis, colitis and psoriasis. It irritates our mental processes in the form of moodiness, burn-out, overuse of drugs, and panic attacks. Stress can also lead to weight gain, especially for women who tend to overeat when they're unhappy or under pressure. Even diseases like cancers and diabetes are stress-related.

A little stress can challenge your brain, but chronic stress can harm your brain. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain reduce the ability of brain cells to absorb glucose, their biggest source of nutrition. Without adequate glucose, memory functions decline and mental energy goes into a major slump. Over time, high levels of cortisol in the brain can cause brain cells to age prematurely, even die off. We see the effect of stress on the brain in cases of depression, severe fatigue and "mind fog".

I believe supporting your body nutritionally with foods and whole herbs may be one of the best ways to fight the stress reactions like panic attacks and insomnia that so many of us are experiencing. (Note: The symptoms may literally creep up on you. Keep a close watch on children.) I've developed special programs to help.

What Happens When You're Under Stress?
THE BODY REACTS: A basic response to perceived danger is "flight or fight." The body goes into its emergency mode.

1- Alarm Reaction: Adrenal glands kick into action releasing a flood of hormones that give you a burst of energy. Heart rate and blood pressure increase. Sugar levels rise as the liver releases stored sugar into the bloodstream for energy. Muscles tense. The immune system gets ready. Blood-clotting mechanisms are enhanced.

2- Resistance Stage: Adrenal glands draw on nutrient reserves (until they are used up) to provide longer-term energy by producing corticoid stress hormones. Cell-damaging free-radicals begin to form in greater numbers

3- Exhaustion Stage: Adrenal glands, cardiovascular and immune response systems become exhausted perpetually releasing the hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol, a coping effort that drastically diminishes your body's ability to deal with any stress at all. Adrenal exhaustion affects all body systems and places a great load on organ systems, especially the heart, blood vessels, pancreas and leads to other gland malfunction.
Without extra nutritional support, serious damage may take place in the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, bones and immune system.

TAKE THIS STRESS TEST

____ Do you feel depression, that you can't seem to shake?

____ Do you fall asleep from exhaustion, but then wake up and can't return to to sleep?

____ Do you have unusual indigestion for no apparent reason?

____ Are you eating unusual amounts of "comfort foods" like cheese and chocolate lately?

____ Do you have an irritated, painful colon and bowel reactions like colitis or irritable bowel syndrome?

____ Do you have unexplained low energy? Are you tired without a reason?

____ Do you feel fearful and anxious? Have you had recent panic attacks?

____ Have you gained weight lately, especially around your middle?
You can never avoid all stress, but you can turn the chronic stress process around!

Diet & Superfood Therapy Nutritional therapy plan:

1- As stress increases, protein needs increase. Protein-rich foods are the best choice - include high quality protein from whole grains, sea greens, seafoods, soy foods, eggs and sprouts regularly.

2- Add a fresh carrot juice for antioxidants and easily absorbed calcium, and fresh fish or seafood for brain stabilizing essential fatty acids twice a week.

3- Eat magnesium-rich foods from green vegetables and whole grains which help relax the muscles and cardiovascular system.

4- Increase B vitamin-rich foods like brown rice and other whole grains--boost mental energy.

5- Reduce caffeine intake. Over-use of caffeine directly depletes adrenal glands. Drink green tea instead, for energy and antioxidants.

6- A glass of wine before dinner relaxes and helps digestion. If your digestion is poor, don t take liquids with meals. Drink bottled water free of chemicals that tax elimination systems.

7- Make an anti-stress mix of nutritional yeast, toasted wheat germ, sunflower seeds, molasses and flax oil; take 2 TBS daily in food. Try miso soup before bed to relax and boost immune response.

8- Feed your adrenals with foods like sea greens and green drinks. Sea greens are my favorite anti-stress foods because they are loaded with fat-soluble vitamins like D and K which assist with production of steroidal hormones like estrogen, and DHEA.

Effective Superfoods - choose one
- Crystal Star SYSTEMS STRENGTH drink
or capsules
- Mona’s CHLORELLA powder of tablets
- Green Kamut Corp. GREEN KAMUT
powder or capsules

Herb & Supplement Therapy
Interceptive therapy plan: Herbs and other supplements can help you de-stress faster. Choose 2 or 3 products that seem to match your problem the best.

1- Feed your nerves and muscles to reduce tension: Crystal Star RELAX CAPS offer nerve repair; Crystal Star STRESSED OUT extract relaxes muscles; Gotu kola or Ginseng/gotu kola caps support nerve health; GINKO BILOBA extract gives a feeling of well-being. Stress B Complex 100mg 2-3x daily, with extra B-6, 250mg and pantothenic acid 1500mg offer whole body tranquilizers; Niacinamide has valium-like activity.© 2001 Healthy Healing Publications

2- Feed your adrenal glands to prevent adrenal exhaustion: Crystal Star ADR-ACTIVE caps or extract, Licorice root extract, or Crystal Star GINSENG/LICORICE ELIXIR drops all boost adrenal activity. Sea greens (2 TBS. daily), or Crystal Star IODINE/ POTASSIUM Caps or New Chapter OCEAN HERBS all offer critical adrenal nutrients.

3- Fight depression with essential fatty acids and herbs: EVENING PRIMROSE OIL 1000mg 2x daily, omega-3 flax oil 2 TBS daily, or Omega Nutrition OMEGA PLUS caps. Balance serotonin production in the brain. Over 25 double-blind, controlled trials find St. John s wort relieves depression - with few side effects. Consider Crystal Star DEPRESS-EX caps with St. John s Wort or New Chapter St. John’s SC27 softgels as directed.

4- Fight fatigue with antioxidants: Now Foods CoQ10 with hawthorn, 100mg 4x daily, and ALPHA LIPOIC ACID 500mg daily, increase ATP chemical energy and boost liver function. Ascorbate vitamin C with bioflavonoids, 500mg every 4 hours during acute periods, or take Alacer EMERGEN-C drink to boost immune response.

5- Adaptogens strengthen resistance to stress: SIBERIAN GINSENG extract, astragalus or schizandra extracts produce fast results; or try Crystal Star MENTAL INNER ENERGY with kava kava, astragalus and suma, or Crystal Star's GINSENG SIX capsules or tea; Una da gato extract boosts immune response.

6- Stabilizing minerals: Crystal Star RELAX tea or CALCIUM SOURCE caps or extract. Magnesium 1200mg daily, or Futurebiotics VITAL K with high magnesium. Nature’s Path TRACE-MIN-LYTE with sea greens.

Lifestyle Support Therapy Bodywork:
Stress Reduction/Relaxation Techniques: shows effective results against stress.

• Massage therapy, or shiatsu at least once a month for mind and body tone.

• Don't smoke. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels, causing increased stress.

• Take a short vacation or a long weekend––does wonders for your mind and point of view.

• 15 minute relaxation period every day. Listen to soft music. Meditate. Do neck rolls.

• Have a good laugh every day.

• Try aromatherapy to reduce stress: Lavender, Sandalwood, Clary Sage & Geranium. Add a scent to your bath. Great way to relax children. Light a lavender or sandalwood candle at dinner––everyone can relax at mealtime.

• Exercise! Unleash the power of movement to release stress. Walk, stretch, do yoga, dance. Get away from the TV and go outside! Important for kids, too.

• Deep breathing: See my book Stress & Energy for breathing exercises you can do every day to quiet your self. Easy and fun for kids, too.

Special Notes For Children
Like adults, children are affected by stress. Stress in kids may show up as needing more close contact with parents (sleeping in bed with parents, clinging on to parents on outings), crying episodes or tantrums, or isolating from family and friends. It s very important to reassure children right now and talk to them about what s going on. Watch closely for hidden signs of stress like sleeplessness, fatigue, digestive problems, depression. It is also critical to make sure their diet is as wholesome as possible. The most protective diet for children is high in whole grains and green veggies for minerals, vegetable proteins for growth, and complex carbohydrates for energy. Also, protect your teens by making sure they get proper nutrition, rest and supplements if needed.

Sample kid-tested child’s diet

• On rising: offer a protein drink such as NutriTech ALL-ONE, especially if the child s energy or school performance level is poor, or if the child seems to be constantly ill, (a child s body must have protein to heal), or 1 teaspoon liquid multi-vitamin in juice, such as Floradix CHILDREN S MULTI-VITAMIN/MINERAL.

• Breakfast: have a whole grain cereal with apple juice or a little yogurt and fresh fruit; and/or whole grain toast or muffins, with a little butter, kefir cheese or nut butter; add eggs, scrambled, baked or soft boiled (no fried eggs); or have some hot oatmeal or puffed kashi cereal with maple syrup or yogurt.

• Mid-morning: whole grain crackers with kefir cheese or dip, and a fruit juice; or some fresh or dried fruit, or fruit leathers with yogurt or kefir cheese; or fresh crunchy veggies with peanut butter or a nut spread; or a sugar-free candy bar, or a healthy trail mix, stirred into yogurt.

• Lunch: have a veggie, turkey, chicken or shrimp salad sandwich on whole grain bread, with low fat cheese. Add whole grain or corn chips with a low fat dip; or bean soup with whole grain toast, and a small salad or crunchy veggies with garbanzo spread; or a baked potato with a little butter and kefir cheese, and a small green salad with dressing; or a vegetarian pizza on a chapati or whole grain crust; or whole grain spaghetti or pasta with a light sauce and parmesan cheese; or a Mexican bean and veggie, or rice burrito with fresh salsa.

• Mid-afternoon: have a sparkling juice and a dried fruit candy bar; or fresh fruit or fruit juice, or a kefir drink; or a hard boiled egg and some whole grain chips with a veggie or low fat cheese dip; or some whole grain toast and peanut butter or other nut butter.

• Dinner: have a pizza on a whole grain, chapati or egg crust, with veggies, shrimp, and low fat cheese topping; or whole grain or egg pasta with vegetables and a light tomato/cheese sauce; or a baked Mexican quesadilla with low fat cheese and some steamed veggies or a salad; or roast turkey with cornbread dressing and a salad; or a tuna casserole with rice, peas and water chestnuts

• Before bed: a glass of apple juice or a little soy milk, Rice Dream or flavored kefir.

• Stress increases nutrient needs. Take a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement daily--Floradix, Solaray and Prevail make them.

• Acidophilus: liquid or powder -give in juice 2 to 3x daily for good digestion and immunity against gut pathogens. UAS Labs DDS-Junior is a good choice. Nutrition Now and Solaray also make acidophilus products for kids.

• Chamomile tea in the evening for more restful sleep. Or, try Crystal Star s PILLOW TIME tea (at child dosage). 1/2 dose for children 10-14 years, 1/3 dose for children 6-10 years, 1/4 dose for children 2-6 years, 1/8 dose for infants and babies. A soothing massage or herbal bath before bed is a good choice.

© 2001 Healthy Healing Publications

For books, products, weight loss kits, detox recipes and more, go to the Weight Loss Trail at www.healthyhealing.com
For more info, see Linda Page’s book, Healthy Healing--A Guide To Self-Healing For Everyone. To order, call 1-888-447-2939 M-F 9 to 5 Pacific Time. For complete natural healing programs for digestive disorders, see my book, Healthy Healing - A Guide To Self Healing For Everyone. Regular price: $32.95
Special: $29.95. http://healthyhealing.com/
Or call 1-888-447-2939
The products, services and advice contained in this article are intended solely for informational/educational purposes and not as medical advice. Consult a medical professional if you have questions about your health.