Stress - Alternative Protocol

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​"Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs and Food Supplements" Balch, PA.

Another factor that adversely affects the immune system is stress.
​   Stress results in a sequence of biochemical events that ultimately suppresses the normal activity of the blood cells and places undue demands on the endocrine system, as well as depleting the body of needed nutrients.
    The result is impaired healing ability and lowered defence against infection.

“The term “tress” refers to many reaction to a physical, mental, social, or emotional stimulus that requires a response or alteration to the way we perform, think, or feel. Change is stressful – weather the change is good or bad. Worry produces stress. Indeed stress is an unavoidable part of life. It can result from many things, both physical and psychological. Pressure and deadlines at work, problem with loved ones, the need to pay the bills, and getting ready for the holidays are obvious sources of stress for many people. Les obvious sources include everyday encounters with crowds, noise, traffic, pain, extremes in temperature, and even welcome events such as starting a new job or the birth or the adoption of a child. Overwork, lack of sleep, and physical illness put stress on the body. Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are usually increased as a reaction to stress and yet create more stress for the body. Some people create their own stress; whether there is anything objectively wrong in their lives or not, they find things to worry about. For such people, stress becomes almost an addiction. 
   Some people handle stress well, and it has little impact on their emotional or physical health. Others are negatively influenced by it. Stress can cause fatigue, chronic headaches, irritability, changes in appetite, memory loss, low self-esteem, withdrawal, teeth grinding, cold hands, high blood pressure, shallow breathing, nervous twitches, lowered sexual drive, insomnia or other changes in sleep patterns, and/or gastrointestinal disorders. Stress creates an excellent breeding ground for illness. Researchers estimate that stress contributes to many major illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, endocrine and metabolic disease, skin disorders, and infection ailments of any kinds […].
   Stress is often viewed as a psychological problem, but it has very real physical effects. The body responds to stress with a series of physiological changes that include increased secretion of adrenaline, elevation of blood pressure, acceleration of the heartbeat, and greater tension in the muscles. Digestion slows or stops, fats and sugars are released from stores in the body, cholesterol levels rise, and the composition of he blood changes slightly, making it more prone to clotting. This is turn increases the risk of stroke or heart attack. 
   Almost all body functions and organs react to stress. The pituitary gland increases its production of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), which in turn stimulates the release of hormones Cortisone and Cortisol. These have the effect of inhibiting the functioning of disease-fighting white blood cells and suppressing the immune response. This complex of physical changes is called the “fight or flight” response and is apparently designed to prepare one to face an immediate danger. Today, most of our stresses are not the result of physical threats, but the body respond as if they were. 
   The increased production of adrenal hormones is responsible for most of the symptoms associated with stress. It is also the reason that stress can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Increased adrenaline production causes the body to step up its metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to quickly produce energy for the body to use. This response cause the body to excrete amino acids, potassium, and phosphorus; to deplete magnesium stored in muscle tissue; and to store less calcium. Stress also triggers the release of Cortisol, and adrenal hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and blood pressure. It also ages brain cells and builds fat around the body’s midsection. Further, stress increases the level of an immune system protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6), which has direct effects on most of the cells in the body and is associated with many disorders, including diabetes, arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, periodontal disease, and cardiovascular disease.  […] Being obese compared to lean causes a greater release of IL-6 after meals. In addition, high-glycemic-load carbohydrates like potatoes evoke a greater release of IL-6 than high-fibre foods like bran.
 
   As a result of complex physical reactions, the body does not absorb nutrients well when it is under stress. The result is that, especially with prolonged and recurrent stress, the body becomes at once deficient in many nutrients and unable to replace them adequately. Many of the disorders that arise from stress are the result of nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of the B-complex vitamins, which are very important for the proper functioning of the nervous system, and of certain electrolytes, which are depleted by the body’s stress response. Stress also promotes the formation of free radicals that can become oxidised and damage body tissues, especially cell membranes. 
   Anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative disorders, and phobic disorders are among the more serious emotional manifestations of stress. 
 
   Stress can be either acute or long-term. Long-term stress is particularly dangerous. A state of continual stress eventually wears out the body. Because of its effect on the immune response, stress increases susceptibility to illness and slows healing.”
 
Balch Nutrient recommendations include:
 Essentials:

• Beta-carotene, Selenium, and Vitamin C and E, which work together as antioxidants to disarm damaging free radicals caused by stress
• GABA – acts as a tranquiliser and is important for proper brain function
• Glutathione – an antioxidant that protect cells against damage
• Inositol – a nutrient related to the B-vitamins. It can help with panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression
• Taurine – essential amino acid for brain and heart protection.
• TMG – reduces Homocysteine levels in the blood and acts like SAMe to ease depression
• Vitamin B complex – necessary for health and proper functioning of the nervous system
• + B5 – an antistress vitamin needed by the Thymus gland
• Vitamin C – essential to adrenal gland function. Stress depletes the gland hormones, the antistress hormones

 Very important:

• Calcium and Magnesium (chelated) – lost when stress is present, which work together as antioxidants to disarm damaging free radicals caused by stress. Deficiency is common in highly stressed individuals, and can result in anxiety, fear, and even hallucinations
• L-tyrosine (do not take with milk or MAO inhibitor drug) – help to reduce the stress on the body. An effective and safe sleeping aid. Also good for depression.
• Melatonin – a natural hormone that promotes sound sleep; helpful if stress leads to occasional sleepness

helpful

• Fibre (oat bran or Psyllium husks) – for bowel cleansing and improved bowel function. Stress often causes diarrhoea and/or constipation
• Lecithin – for cellular protection and brain function
• Maitake/Reishi/Shitake extract – adaptogens that help the body adapt to stress and normalise body functions
• Multivitamin complex with natural beta-carotene, potassium, selenium – especially necessary during stress. Important antioxidant. To replace potassium lost due to excretion during stress.  
• Zinc (Gluconate) – needed for immune function and to protect the cells from free radical damage.

  
Herbs recommendations include:

• Ashwagandha – Ayurvedic herb that acts as a sedative and nerve tonic
• Milk thistle – cleanses and protects the live, and has antioxidant properties
• Chamomile (do not use during pregnancy or nursing. It may interfere with Warfarin or |Cyclosporine, so patients using these drugs should avoid it) – gentle relaxant. It is a very good nerve tonic, soothing to the digestive tract, and a pleasant sleep aid.
• Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) – Indian herb known locally as Tulsi related to but not the same as culinary basil. It appears to lower stress and Cortisol levels.
• Essential oils of Bergamot (3 drops) and Mandarin (5 drops) – in an aromatherapy lamp – a proven stress reducer
• Passionflower is calming and is a potent addition to any antistress formula
• Siberian Ginseng (avoid if you have hypoglycaemia, high blood pressure, or a heart disorder) – helps the body copes with stress

 
Nutritional recommendations include:

• Eat a diet composed of 50–75% raw foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables non only supply valuable vitamins and minerals, but are rich in compounds called flavonoids, many of which scavenge and neutralise dangerous free radicals
• Avoid processed foods and all food that create stress on the system, such as artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, pork, red meat, sugar, white flour products, food containing preservatives or heavy spices, and chips and similar snack foods
• Limit your intake of caffeine. Caffeine contributes to nervousness and can disrupt sleep patterns
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and mood-altering drugs. While these substances may offer temporary relief from stress, they do nothing to really address the problem, and they are harmful to your health. The stress will still be there the next day.
• Get regular exercise. Physical activity can clear your mind and keep stress under control. Some people like to run or walk by themselves, while other prefer team sports or group workouts. Any type of exercise will do the trick, as long as it is regular. Exercising only once a month will not do much to relieve the stress.
• Learn to relax. Relaxation is often difficult for people suffering from the effects of stress, but it is necessary.
• Get sufficient sleep each night. This may be difficult, because stress can keep you up all night (unless you are one of those people who welcomes sleep as an escape), but it is very important. The less sleep you get, the more stress will affect you, the more your immune system will weaken, and the greater you chance of becoming ill will be.
• Try meditation. Many people find that regular meditation helps them relax and handle stress.
• Practice deep breathing. This can be done when facing a stressful situation – at home, at work, in your car, or elsewhere. Holding your breath is also good for relieving stress. Inhale deeply with your mouth closed, hold your breath for a few seconds (do not wait until you are uncomfortable), then exhale slowly through your mouth, with your tongue placed at the top of your teeth, next to the gum line. Do this four or five times, or until tension passes.
• Monitor your internal conversations. The way we talk to ourselves has a lot to do with how we feel about ourselves and our environment. Telling yourself things like “I should be able to handle this better,” or “I should not have let that idiot cut me off in traffic,” or “I’ll never get the hang of this computer” only adds to the stressfulness of the situation and does nothing to resolve them. Learn to listen for – and then make yourself stop – these futile inner conversations.
• Identify the source of stress in your life. This can be an important first step in managing stress.
• Take a day off – that’s what weekends are for
• Pursue a hobby hobbies are great for relieving stress. Take the time to do what you enjoy. Don’t feel guilty about spending time doing something for yourself. Your health is worth it
• Avoid hassles. Identify the things that are making you feel stressed out and either eliminate them from your life or prepare yourself to cope with them
• Do not repress or deny your emotions. This only compounds stress. Admit your feeling and accept them. Keeping strong feelings bottled up only causes them to resurface later as illness. Don’t be afraid to cry. Learning to cry can help you manage stress
• Investigate aromatherapy