Need stress relief? Don't underestimate the power of proper nutrition in managing your stress! Our moods are deteriorating, and our stress is increasing at an unprecedented rate according to state of the art research in the area of nutrition.
It is considered a root cause of stress or a "chicken" because much of our increasing physical and emotional stress and distress stems from easily correctable malfunctions in our brain and body chemistry as a result of critical unmet nutritional needs.
• We are eating the most stressful diet ever know to man- with over 70% of us eating the very worst junk foods in order to relieve our stress, that includes high sugar- low protein diet, caffeine/energy drinks and other toxic substances.
• The Chemical pollution in our food, air, water, soil and even our homes and buildings is adding to the stress we experience everyday
These chronic stresses and lack of nutritional balance can even destroy Cells in the center of the brain that are responsible for memory. The nutritional suggestions that I will make here can help you cope with these external stressors., and aren't just quick fixes- but will correct many different imbalances in the body
Does this like a typical day of eating for you?
Morning: Start with a jolt of coffee-sweetened with sugar and cream, plus a bowl of sweetened cold cereal, some fresh/frozen sweet fruit juice? A sugary latte with a sweet donut or scone? Maybe you eat nothing at all but coffee or tea? Lunch: Soda, chips, sandwich, burrito, container of soup mix- a hamburger, fries, maybe just a diet soda, or a granola or candy bar? Dinner: Heaping plate of pasta with a little cheese, a pizza and some ice cream- or maybe if you're too tired just some more cereal or some crackers and cheese.
What's wrong with eating this way? It's the most stressful diet ever Known to man!! This type of diet - so full of starches and sweets completely overworks your adrenal glands by keeping your body pumped full of cortisol, stresses you out and even pre-disposes you to cancer!
Amino Acids and Fat
According to Julia Ross, author of the breakthrough book The Mood Cure, "After more than 30 years of intensive worldwide investigation, neuroscience has identified the cause of our false moods. More importantly, the repair tools that are needed are shockingly simple and are found in specific foods and nutrient supplements that are so exactly what the brain needs that they can begin to correct emotional malfunction in just 24 hours!"
Additionally, Dr. Kenneth Blum's research in the mid 1980's found that he could override the bad mood genes of his research subjects by giving them a few nutritional nutrients- especially amino acids.
There are 22 different kinds of amino acids in high protein foods like chicken, fish, beef, eggs and cheese. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and each has its own name and duties to perform.
The four chemicals responsible for emotion are called neurotransmitters the names of the top four are: serotonin, catechol amines, GABA and endorphin. Each of these also needs a particular amino acid to fuel it. If your brain is well stocked with amino fuels, you will produce true emotions in response to true events. If you don't, you can start to create false emotions- or emotional mis-fires we sometimes call rumination, OCD, incessant worry- depression, anxiety, many of the emotions that go right along with what we call "stress"
Omega 3's are a family of fatty acids found in seafood and certain plants, such as flax. Large population studies have shown that those who eat a large quantity of fish have fewer incidences of depression. A variety of small clinical trials have shown that omega 3's may alleviate the symptoms of depression, schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder.
Fatty acids seem to help maintain fluidity in the cellular membranes, reduce cellular inflammation---which is stirred up by Omega 6 fats (found in grain fed beef and processed oils,) which are a staple of the "modern" diet. Andrew Stoll, Harvard Psychiatrist, believes this may be the reason for the increased incidence of depression in the last 100 years.
Miracle Micronutrients
The study of micronutrients and mental health is known as Orthomolecular Psychiatry. This term was coined by Linus Pauling who wrote that "nutritional supplements, unlike psychotherapy or drugs, represent a way to provide optimum molecular environment for the mind. " Other research has shown correlations between low levels of various nutrients- zinc, calcium, magnesium and B vitamins and depression.
In even more stunning new research, the role of micronutrients and feeling good is compelling. Studies by Bonnie Kaplan and Charlie Popper of Harvard University show remarkable recoveries from bi-polar depression, depression, and even schizophrenia using targeted micronutrient therapies- treatments that were originally compounded for pigs that have shown amazing results in human trials! (go to TrueHope.com and click on research to see many of the studies)
Micronutrients seem to be the "backstage crew" for the brain, endlessly constructing and maintaining cellular designs, and they also play an important role in the creation of chemical messengers that mediate moods, such as serotonin, dopamine and norephinephrine. For example, zinc is involved in more than 300 enzymatic functions, and when you don't have it, a cell's DNA can be damaged.
There is ample evidence to suggest that eating the proper foods which can supply the proper amino acids and Omega 3 fats, in conjunction with using supplements that contain the right balance of micronutrients can go a long way in helping you to feel better and to manage your stress!
I can certainly echo Dr. Ross's findings in my own practice, "Clients who could be persuaded to eat plenty of protein and fresh vegetables three times a day and avoid caffeine, sweets and refined starches--like white bread and pasta, felt much better emotionally as well as physically. When they ate well, even those who had major psychological work to do were able to make steady advances in counseling."
Using supplements and an eating plan that provides plenty of protein can help you quickly achieve results. You can find more innovative stress relief solutions by going to http://www.realstressolutions.com.
