Stress - we've felt it, some more intensely than others. We deal with it in different ways. While it's normal to have everyday stressors, life can happen. When significant stressors occur, it's essential to re-calibrate and get back on track to living the life you deserve.
While some things are unavoidable, unfortunately, you can take measures to ensure that stress won't keep you down for the count. This article will look at how nutritional supplements can play a significant role in combating stress.
How Stress Affects the Body
According to The National Institute of Health (NIH), stress significantly influences our health, affecting everything from mood and behavior to our overall well-being. While younger people handle stress better, older people or those with co-morbidities such as diabetes typically struggle with the added health burden.
Stress and Your Brain
In a 2014 study, researchers found that chronic stress 'can lead to atrophy of the brain mass and decrease its weight.' Stress can also negatively affect your memory. One study showed that stress 'can cause functional and structural changes in the hippocampus section of the brain.'
Stress and Your Immune System
Stress affects our immune system by impacting processes found in the neuroendocrine, lymphatic, and CNS systems. Chronic or severe stress releases cortisol into our system. While beneficial in 'fight or flight' situations, long-term stress hacks ourimmune responses.
Stress and Your Heart
Stress plays a significant role in developing chronic, life-threatening diseases, such as heart disease. A 1993 study found that stress increases blood lipids, which leads to blood clots, cardiac arrhythmias, and myocardial infarction.
Top Four Nutritional Supplements for Stress
Other stress-related disorders may lead to other issues, such as substance abuse or food addiction. One of the best ways to avoid these pitfalls is to take care of your mind and body by incorporating the top four stress-reducing supplements.
1. Multi-vitamin
One of the most important things you can do is take a multi-vitamin supplement. Stress negatively impacts your Central Nervous System - affecting almost all bodily functions. Our modern diet leaves gaping holes in our nutritional requirements to make things worse.
To mitigate stress, incorporate a multi-vitamin that contains a wide range of minerals and supplements that support your immune, lymphatic and cognitive systems. Eden's Herbals, for example, designedour multi-vitaminwith the following vital minerals and vitamins to support health:
- Vitamin A: Important for eye health.
- Vitamin C: Essential for immune function.
- Vitamin D-3: Critical for heart health.
- Vitamin E: Contains potent antioxidants.
- Vitamin K-1: Found in fresh greens.
- Vitamin B-12: Essential for warding off stress.
- Calcium: The bone health mineral.
- Magnesium: Helps absorb calcium.
- Zinc: Immune system workhorse.
- Potassium: Great if you don't eat bananas.
- Spirulina: An algae that supply iodine.
- Grape Seed: Great to add for non-wine drinkers.
- Green Tea: Powerful anti-inflammatory.
- Flaxseed: Excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3s.
2. Vitamin D-3 with K-2
Many people, especially our aging population, suffer from low vitamin-D levels. In Europe, for example, as many as 66% ofpeople have been prescribed a vitamin D-3 supplement. Vitamin D is typically consumed through foods, such as fish and eggs or the sun. As we age, our ability to convert the sun into vitamin D diminishes.
Some of the benefits of Vitamin D include:
- Bone Health
- Heart Health
- Glucose Metabolization
- Reduced Inflammation
Interplay Between Vitamin D-3 Combined with K-2
First of all, Vitamin D-3 is different from other forms of Vitamin D, such as D-2. When we're talking about D-3, we're talking about the most basic form of Vitamin D - the kind you get from exposure to the sun.
When D-3 is combined with K-2, a revolutionary process is thought to occur - essentially 'supercharging' the two to act in concert and help your immune system. A 2020 study, for example, found that the combination of vitamin D and K significantly improved bone quality in patients with osteoporosis.
3. Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is found in the hemp plant. Made from hemp, also known as Cannabis sativa, hemp oil contains very little to no THC. You'll find hemp in everything from industrial rope to products such as CBD. Farmers even use it to feed their animals.
Hemp seed contains the following vital nutrients:
- Essential amino acids
- Healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Essential fibers
- A valuable form of antioxidants
- Minerals and vitamins
4. CBD Oil for Stress Relief
CBD is one of the morepotent forms of antioxidants found in nature. Besides providing health properties, CBD may help ease stress in the following circumstances.
CBD and PTSD
Our brains are not meant to cope with long, intense forms of stress, such as combat. This can, unfortunately, lead to a psychological condition known as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. In 2019, researchers found that CBD appeared to offer relief in patients with PTSD, especially helping decrease nightmares.
CBD and Anxiety
In 2015, scientists showed 'conclusively' that CBD helps with several anxiety-related disorders. CBD affects several brain regions via the cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2. When test subjects were administered CBD regularly, researchers demonstrated that CBD reduced GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), PD, OCD, and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
Is CBD the Same as Vitamins?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is an all-natural compound. Like a vitamin or mineral, CBD is a sage and effective way of providing your body with compounds you may not continually ingest regularly.
CBD is classified as a botanical rather than a vitamin from a technical perspective.
According to The World Health Organization (WHO), CBD is safe and well-tolerated. Read your labels carefully before purchasing. We use all-natural, 100% organic hemp sourced from American farms. We also provide a lab analysis, ensuring our products contain the desired THC amount.
Can I Take CBD Every Day?
Absolutely, you can take CBD every day. In fact, you'll need to give your body up to two weeks to assimilate the CBD if you've never used it before. By incorporating CBD into your daily stress management system, you'll give your ECS (your internal cannabinoid system - present in all humans) time to develop its effect on you.
If you want to learn more about Nutritional Health Supplements during times of stress, contact Eden's Herbals at support@edensherbals.com today!
*These statements have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness. Medical advice should be taken from a medical professional.
All of the articles on this site are written by 3rd party content providers, expert bloggers or doctors not directly affiliated with Eden's Herbals.
Individuals should learn the risks and side effects prior to taking CBD. Make sure to always check with a medical professional before starting any new CBD treatment or medication that is not FDA approved.