Say what? We can’t live without stress?
We hear over and over again that stress is unhealthy. And all that talk makes us, well, stressed. We run/jog, bike, compete in marathons, workout in the gym, do deep breathing, yoga, meditation, sauna, and eat an organic whole foods diet. We stretch, move, reach for the skies and breathe… all to reduce stress.
And now research shows that our bodies need a certain amount of stress?
Low-Level Stress Boosts Brain Stimulation
Low-level stressors stimulate brain chemicals called neurotrophins, a family of proteins that induce survival,
development, and function of neurons. (Wikipedia)
A neuron or nerve cell is an electrically stimulated cell with the ability to communicate with other cells via specialized pathways sending electrically charged messages from one nerve cell to another called synapses.
Low level stress strengthens the connections between neurons in the brain and is the primary mechanism by which exercise (a physical stressor) boosts productivity and concentration.
Good stress is beneficial for:
- Increasing short-term immunity
- Improving brain power
- Creating resiliency or ability to adapt and change
- Motivates one to succeed
- Enhances child development
Good Stress vs Bad Stress
Actually when the body is in a constant stress mode, it cannot determine the good from the bad. The stress involved with planning a wedding becomes no different than the stress that comes with losing a job.
What is Stress?
Stress is a subjective phenomenon that defies definition. And if you can’t define it how can you measure stress?
“Stress” coined by Hans Selye in 1936, defines the term as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.”
In numerous experiments that laboratory animals, subjected to acute but different noxious physical and emotional stimuli (blaring light, deafening noise, extremes of heat or cold, perpetual frustration) Selye noted all exhibited developed similar pathologic changes including stomach ulcerations, constriction of lymph tissue and enlargement of the adrenals. He later demonstrated that persistent stress could cause the animals to develop diseases similar to those in humans, including heart attacks, stroke, kidney disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fight or Flight Response
We have all heard of the term – fight or flight… but other than the obvious – one stays and confronts and “fights” the stressor vs. running away or dodging what could potentially be an uncomfortable situation. But what does that really mean?
The Adrenal Glands… the Epicenter for Fight or Flight
What are the adrenal glands and how do they affect the stress response? The adrenals are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys. They produce hormones directly into the bloodstream that regulate metabolism, the immune system, blood pressure and your response to stress and other essential functions. These hormones are also vital to existence. Adrenal insufficiency also known as(Addison’s disease) is when the adrenals lack sufficient hormones like cortisol that controls the use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates; suppresses inflammation; regulates blood pressure; increases blood sugar; and decreases bone formation.
Adrenaline, also known as “epinephrine” is also known as the “survival hormone”. Large amounts are released when the body faces a threat of some kind. The problem is that when the body is under stress overload… Everything is perceived as a threat and large amounts of adrenaline are pumped into the bloodstream. This is what is known as adrenal dominance.
Adrenal Dominance
What does that mean?
Think of it this way. If you are in your car and press down on the gas pedal while the brake is on, the engine is revving and burning gas – also known as putting the pedal to the metal… and then the brake is released and the engine gunned and off you go on a joy ride.
A similar mechanism of action occurs in the body. When adrenaline is constantly being pumped into the bloodstream that body is revved up and is a continually state of stress and in a flight or fight. Eventually the body cannot determine what is good stress or bad.
Symptoms of Adrenal Dominance
According to Dr. Michael Platt, author of “Adrenaline Dominance- A Revolutionary Approach to Wellness’ , most of the symptoms of adrenal dominance are ones that modern medicine are unable to determine a cause and are often labeled as incurable.
- ADHD
- Fibromyalgia
- Depression/Anxiety
- Severe Anger
- PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)
- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Chronic Interstitial Cystitis
- Alcoholism
- (RLS) Restless Leg Syndrome
- Insomnia
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum (pregnancy complication characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration)
Increased adrenaline prepared early humans to deal with natural dangers that confronted them. Once the danger passed, their adrenaline level returned to normal. In today’s world, humans are constantly bombarded by digital frequencies, work and family stress, sirens and other environmental noises constantly even though many of us (other than first responders) are not being threatened by an immediate danger. However, many people are putting out high levels of adrenaline all day long, even though they’re not in situations that call for physical fight or flight. In other words, we are on constant alert… waiting for the other shoe to fall.
How Does Adrenal Dominance Affect Your Health?
Let’s go back to putting the pedal to the metal analogy. What happens when you keep your engine revved up at a high-calibre? Your car uses more gas and less efficiently. And then your vehicle runs out of gas.
The human body is not that much different. We keep the adrenaline flowing at a high rate and sooner or later, we become nutrient and hormone deficient and just like that revved up engine, we begin to break down and run less efficiently… unable to keep up with work and home life, daily routines, we become too tired to exercise… and eventually too exhausted to function. Or on the other end of the spectrum… we get stuck in high gear and exhibit signs of obsessive behaviors, anxiety and anger… using medications to deregulate daily stressors.
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Nutrition Response Testing ℠
The professionally trained and licensed healthcare providers at Paramount Wellness are able to use an evidence-based time-time tested non-invasive analysis to determine the stressed areas of the body, and the nutrients that have been depleted or are at insufficient levels to prevent the body from returning to homeostasis instead of being on a constant adrenaline roller coaster.
During the analysis the practitioner will test your reflexes for specific organs and tissues that are not functioning properly. After diagnosing the problem areas, we create a customized clinical nutritional program based on the exact needs of your unique body chemistry. This includes precisely tailored dosages of any necessary support. You may be surprised that we often eliminate supplements that you are already taking that are not helping, and even hampering your progress.
At Paramount Wellness we utilize only the highest-quality, clinically-proven whole food supplements, specially processed to preserve all of the active enzymes, co-factors, and other vital components. We only prescribe from the most advanced, progressive supplement companies with real science and clinical research behind their products.
Dr. Erika Schultz, DACM, LAc, is an Advanced Trained Nutrition Response Testing Practitioner
Dr. Erika is the most advanced trained practitioner in Nutrition Response Testing ℠ in the Denver Metro area and works alongside Lyric Turner, a Certified Nutrition Response Testing Practitioner and mentored by Dr. Erika. Either practitioner will complete a full body scan to properly assess each of your reflexes. Energy flows exist between all parts and organs of the body. These flows can become disrupted for a variety of reasons. This disruption is easily discovered and properly handled with our testing. Chronic health issues like allergies and asthma can be addressed at the root cause- which may be unique to each individual. Handling chronic health issues becomes more personalized and efficient in this manner.
Our mission is to support our clients in living well and being well.
Call to schedule an appointment today.
Source:
Adrenal Glands – John Hopkins Medicine
5 Weird Ways Stress Can Actually Be Good for You
Dr. Michael Platt, author of “Adrenaline Dominance- A Revolutionary Approach to Wellness’ The American Institute of Stress
