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The Many Facts of Stress
Although some stress is a positive thing, causing us to achieve our goals, being stressed constantly or excessively can have far-reaching effects on many aspects of the body. Learning to recognize the effects of stress, and to strengthen the body's ability to handle stress effectively, will improve your well being and your energy to a surprising degree.
The adrenal glands, located on the top of each kidney, are the key to surviving
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stress. They produce a variety of hormones, including adrenaline, DHEA, and others. When the adrenal glands are "burned out" from too much physical or emotional stress, the imbalance that results creates an opportunity for other illnesses to set in.
Low adrenal function may be expressed in a variety of symptoms. the most common symptoms include light-headedness on rising quickly; shaky feeling or brain fog when meals are missed (and eating helps these symptoms); excessive urination or perspiration, light-sensitive eyes, and cold extremities. A variety of other symptoms may also be present, including shortness of breath, asthma, bronchitis, irritibility, PMS, fatigue, headache, insomnia, aching muscles, low back pain, digestive problems, anxiety, or varicose veins. A complete list is avaliable for your reference in store. If you see yourself in some of these symptoms, investigate the possibility of low adrenals and act accordingly.
The first action to take is to use adaptogenic herbs, since they strengthen the body's ability to handle stress. Eleutherococcus senticosusis known as the "King of Adaptogens", and is well-respected for its ability to support adrenal function as well as immunity. Other good adaptogenic herbs include licorice, suma (Brazilian ginseng), astragalus, codonopsis, and jiaogulan, among others.
Dietary strategies recommend avoiding sugar and excessive carbohydrates, emphasizing instead vegetables, fruits, nuts, proteins, and essential fats.
Certain supplements are very helpful in supporting adrenal function. These include all the B vitamins (especially B6 and pantothenic acid), magnesium, zinc, and vitamin C.
People with chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic inflammatory illness (rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, or lupus, for example), allergies, asthma, menopausal difficulties, or thyroid problems may also benefit from adrenal support.
Do not let the negative effects of stress get the better of you. Strengthen your body to handle stress as well!
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