Supplements 101
Michael Dworkin, P.D., M.S. Erika Dworkin, Dip. C.N. (Pend.)
Chronic Stress & Accelerated Aging
The effects of chronic overexposure to cor- tisol can be devastating. Prolonged cortisol elevations result in sustained elevated blood sugar, substantial loss of bone calcium, im- munity depression, high blood pressure, lost muscle mass, increased fat accumulation, and . . . loss of cognitive function. ~ Adapted from Life Extension Magazine “Reducing the Risks of High
Cortisol”
ou’ve often heard that chronic stress is bad, but do you know why? Did you know it can accelerate aging and thus profoundly impact quality of life? The good news is that certain natural remedies can alleviate the devastating impact that chronic stress has on the body and mind.
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The Impact of Chronic Stress Stress is an automatic, negative, psy-
chological, and physical response to various overwhelming internal and external forces called stressors (including lack of sleep, al- lergens, pain/poor health, and work/social pressures). “Bad stress” (known as distress), unlike eustress (“good stress”— think wed- dings and exercise), is generally character- ized by fatigue, sleep disorders, irritability, and constant worrying.
Short, intermittent bursts of cortisol, the “stress hormone” produced in the adrenal gland, are necessary to help us recover from the effects of acute, immediate stress. In the
short-term, cortisol provides immediate en- ergy and enhanced immunity and memory. However, chronic stress results in the exces- sive, chronic elevation of cortisol that can threaten health and longevity. The attendant health problems can include:
1. immunity suppression 2. hypertension 3. hyperglycemia/insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes
4. Syndrome X 5. hypothyroidism [inhibition of thyroid hormone production (TSH) or metabolism (conversion of T4 to T3) 6. carbohydrate cravings 7. increased belly, neck, and facial fat de posits
8. libido diminishment 9. long-term bone loss 10. chronic fatigue 11. ulcers
12. heart disease 13. candidiasis
14. increased cancer risk 15. depression
The Pharmaceutical Approach When a patient complains of exces-
sive levels of stress or concomitant anxiety, conventional practitioners commonly pre- scribe various medications, such as benzo- diazepines, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and beta-blockers. All of
the pharmacotherapeutic drugs have long lists of potential side effects, which include: (1) benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium®, Xanax®, and Librium®): increased anxiety, signifi- cant memory impairment, and addiction (especially in alcoholics); (2) SSRIs (e.g., Prozac®, Lexapro®, and Zoloft®): agitation, decreased libido, delayed/lacking ability to orgasm, and insomnia; and (3) beta-blockers (e.g., Tenormin® and Inderal®): fatigue, de- pression, erectile dysfunction, memory loss, and insomnia. To suppress cortisol production or reduce cortisol levels, doctors may prescribe anti-steroid drugs (e.g., aminoglutethimide/ Cytadren®, mitotane/Lysodren®, or me- tyrapone/Metopirone®) or ketoconazole/ Nizoral, which have numerous potential side effects, including severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue or mouth), diarrhea, lethargy, faint- ing, dizziness/poor coordination, nausea/ vomiting/loss of appetite, headaches, rashes/ itching, vision complications, irregular heart- beat, sexual dysfunction, and bloody urine.
The Natural Approach: Combatting Stress-Induced Aging
Various natural alternatives may limit
the negative impact of chronic elevated cortisol levels by reducing inflammation, combatting aging and degenerative diseases, and preventing cancer. You might con- sider trying these key, relatively affordable remedies to improve your quality of life or enhance longevity:
Rhodiola As an adaptogenic herb, rhodiola
improves resistance to chronic stress by lowering cortisol production. It consequently alleviates stress-related anxiety and appetite diminishment, improves cognitive function, protects the heart, combats brain aging, in- creases energy, and combats weight gain in the belly, neck, and face. Rhodiola also en- hances longevity by reducing inflammation and improving responses to various negative environmental stressors.
24 Natural Nutmeg December 2011
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