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I have just uploaded my latest interview.

Naturopathy takes a whole body approach to manage stress.

Stress & Anxiety

“Stress & Anxiety are natural components of our daily lives. When managed they can provide us with a healthy dose of motivation and may lead to creative expression. When left un-checked and uncontrolled the effects can be disruptive to both our daily lives and to our health.

When we lose perspective on simple stress, impatience, irritability, lack of concentration or nervous exhaustion may manifest. It can take a physical toll on our bodies as well. Muscle fatigue, physical exhaustion and indigestion are just some of the side effects of un-managed stress.

The outside causes of stress can be due to a multitude of reasons. The problem is not so much the stress, but how we deal with it intellectually and how our bodies are able to deal with it physically. Our body’s ability to deal with and counter the effects of stress can be compromised by a poor diet, a lack of exercise, poor self-esteem, an imbalance of nutrients and, as silly as it may sound, a lack of laughter in our lives.

There are many ways to cope with and manage the symptoms of stress. Some are healthy and productive, others not so much. You must take a hard look at your diet. Foods that provide little or no nutritional value should be reduced or eliminated. Supplements should be taken to help replace those nutrients lost or missing from your diet. Food additives like caffeine, excessive salt, alcohol, sugar, preservatives and even hormones, attack the body, further reducing its ability to deal physically with daily stressors. Be aware that food allergies, even minor ones, can impact the body adversely.

Nutrients for stress support

• Calcium is a mineral which is necessary for healthy, strong bones and teeth. Calcium is essential to the function of nerves, muscle mobility and relaxation and the body’s ability to communicate with itself.
• Magnesium is essential for the normal metabolism of potassium and calcium.
• Vitamin B-6 is necessary for the nervous system.  The formation of certain lipids involved in the development of the myelin sheath is dependent on vitamin B6.
• Niacin is a B-complex nutrient which is needed for growth and is essential to cellular reactions. At least 200 enzymes are dependent on its co-enzyme forms, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADP).
• Inositol is necessary for the metabolism of fats and is found in high amounts in neural tissue and integrated into membrane phospholipids
• Eleuthero (formerly called Siberian Ginseng) and Ashwagandha are adaptogenic herbs: they can help the body to normalize or adapt to changing situations and provide added support for the immune system, a secondary system affected by stress.
• Turmeric – used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for the support of the liver and gall bladder, perhaps due to its antioxidant action. Curcumin – an active ingredient in the herb Turmeric, induces stress response proteins (called “molecular chaperones”).
• Licorice – Traditional herb for nourishing the adrenals.

Dietary Suggestions

• Eat more fruits and vegetables (organic is ideal)
• Eat a daily, fresh green salad
• Reduce sugars, saturated fats and salt
• Avoid sodas, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco

Lifestyle Suggestions

• Get daily, mild exercise
• Have a love of life
• Indulge in laughter
• Practice hot & cold hydrotherapy for better circulation
• Utilize Chiropractics, massage & shiatsu therapies
• Practice breathing exercises
• Get daily sunlight for the production of Vitamin D”

Select content provided by MichaelsHealth.com.

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