In 1983, TIME Magazine’s cover story was titled, “Stress: The Epidemic of the Eighties.” It is fair to say that this was a highly accurate statement and that it has only gotten worse over time. Today, 70 to 90% of all doctor’s visits are in some way related to stress. We also know that the majority of heart attacks happen on Monday mornings because of the stress associated with heading into the work week after the weekend. At Truestar, we understand the importance of managing stress in your life and want to show you the right way to do it! Stress is a natural response that the body undergoes when faced with any form of physical, emotional or mental challenge. The body reacts in the exact same way to any of these stressors, causing actual hormonal changes in the body. The key hormones being affected are epinephrine (adrenalin) and cortisol, also known as our “stress hormone.” These hormones are both released from two little glands that sit on top of our kidneys, called the adrenal glands. These hormones are needed in small doses so that our body can deal with the perceived stress at hand, but these hormones levels need to drop eventually, so our bodies can return to hormonal balance. The problem? Today we live in a society of perpetual, chronic stress, where we just don’t get that “down time” to allow our bodies and our hormones to return to normal. This is where all the problems begin... When we have prolonged periods of stress, little by little, that stress hormone, cortisol, is going to start doing more damage than good. Our adrenal glands become over worked, and often stop functioning properly all together. I’m sure you’ve heard the term “Adrenal Fatigue?” That’s where it comes from – our adrenal glands just not being able to meet the stress demands on our body. One of the key side effects that individuals begin to notice when undergoing prolonged periods of stress is weight gain – and excess cortisol is the main culprit. It not only causes our body to gain excess fat, but it send it right to our mid-section. This type of fat, called visceral or “toxic” fat, doesn’t just lie under the skin, it actually surrounds our organs, and is correlated to an increased risk of heart disease. When we are undergoing stress, our bodies shut of what they deem to be “unnecessary” functions, such as digestion, reproduction, and immunity. That’s why we have so many negative side effects when we undergo chronic stress. 43% of individuals suffer adverse effects due to stress! Some of those side effects are: accelerated aging, increased cancer risk, diabetes, depression, immune suppression, hypertension (high blood pressure), atherosclerosis, obesity, fatigue, appetite changes, heart palpitations, anxiety/depression, abdominal symptoms (indigestion, cramps, constipation or diarrhea), insomnia…. And the list goes on. As you can see, chronic stress is no joke! My personal favourites? Truestar’s TrueSTRESS Support, just 2 capsules a day, to support the body and the adrenal glands during times of stress and anxiety. And for those individuals who are experiencing extreme fatigue or exhaustion due to stress, I choose TrueENDURANCE, to help manage stress as well as provide much-needed energy during the day. Log in to Truestar to start your stress support protocol today! In Health, Dr. Andi Dr. Andra Campitelli HBSc., ND Integrative Medical Director acampitelli@truestar
Posted on: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 03:00:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015