Treatment for Chronic Stress

Treatment for Chronic Stress
By Mirko Albrecht, Dipl.-qualified NC.

Here in Germany “stress is stress” and it is treated only with psychotherapy and tranquilliser.
But I have realized that there is a difference between chronic stress and acute stress. Chronic stress is a form of stress with i.a. increase secretion of catecholamines. Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (nor adrenaline) belong to the group of Catecholamine and/or the stress hormone Cortisol.
Acute stress is another type of stress with low level of inter alia epinephrine (such as adrenal fatigue).
Therefore I think that the word “stress” Must be clarified between chronic & acute and naturally the treatment is according to the type of stress.

If we give patients with chronic stress “classic” anti-stress supplements such as amino acids f.e. Tyrosine, L-Theanine, GABA, 5-HTP or protein powders, the situation of chronic stress will get worse . Catecholamine will be stimulates and the secretion increases.
In this case it is better for the body to give something which the catecholamines level typical of chronic stress decreases.

What Kind of Health Trouble can Chronic Stress Cause ?

Existing Chronic Illnesses/Complaints and Stress

Stress attacks and weakens our immune system. Stress reduces the neutrophil activity
and decreases natural killer cells (NK-Cells) and weakens the immune system. When our body loses control of the symptoms and it will be ill.
In the course of consultations I have realized that it is of great importance to support immunomodulation with glyconutrients so that our body can handle chronic stress much better.
Physical/emotional stress can make you ill! But already existing chronic illnesses/complaints (e.g. backaches, MCS/chemical sensitivity people, allergies etc.) also trigger stress in the body worsen the complaints. Based on my experience, an immune support is very helpful here.

The Base of Nutrition consultation

Protein in form of yoghurt, cheese or other milk products, fish, meat und protein-drinks increase catecholamines.

Carbohydrates such as bread, grain (f.e. rice, millet, quinoa, sweet corn), fruits decrease catecholamines.

Taking a lot of proteins by the daily diet can cause several troubles in case of chronic stress patients or worsen their already existing bad conditions.
Therefore it is advisable to eat carbohydrates in combination with proteins during each meal.

Drink Tea for your Stress Relief

Tea Sort
Stress related Benefits
Black Tea
It decreases Cortisol induced from chronic stress by University College of London, UK. 50 minutes after drinking black tea Cortisol level decreased 47 %.
Bamboo leaf Tea
Every stress is an antioxidant burner. Bamboo leaf tea is rich of antioxidants.
Goji berry Tea
It is a good support to immune-stress balance. It is rich of antioxidants as well.
White Tea
White tea modulates stresshormons. I recommend this tea to treat chronic stress and acute stress as well. I prefer Pai Mu Than tea.
Tulsi Tea (holy basil)
It lowers Cortisol.
Cistus incannus Tea
It is a great immune support. I prefer this tea esp. To treat chronic stress.

Possible consequences of Stress

Chronic stress can cause a high level of blood sugar, but it is quite different from Diabetes mellitus. This sort of Hyperglycemia can be decreased with carbohydrates (f.e. potatoes, bread, fruits with intermediate-glycemic to high glycemic index or noodles).

How can it happen ?

Chronic stress produces stresshormons such as Cortisol and epinephrine. Consequently we will have a imbalance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and a hyperglycemia will be induced.
Carbohydrates (= sugar) decrease high level of stress hormones and the high blood sugar (f.e. 190 or 200 to 80) decreases as well. Glyconutrients such as Arabinogalactan increase own body synthesis of special stress(glyco)proteins that immediately after the stress situation will be produced and they can stop the negative reaction of stress (di-stress).
All the dietary supplements for “classics” Hyperglycemia from type diabetes mellitus such as Gymnema sylvestre (leaf extract), pickle pear cactus or Vanadyl Sulfat reduce carbohydrate. These would increase blood sugar level by stress induced blood sugars.
I have made such an experience with a patient of mine who has chronic emotional stress since long-time. A chronic illness such as colitis ulcerative especially by a relapse (“flare up”) can have this sort of hyperglycemia. After this exacerbation the imbalance of blood sugar disappears.

High Adrenaline Secretion can Increase Cholesterol Levels
Our nutrition and some medical drugs and their possible side effects are responsible for high cholesterol level.
But chronic stress (emotional and physical) with a high epinephrine/adrenaline level (adrenergic over activity) can cause a high cholesterol levels too.
This is right that a high epinephrine/adrenaline secretion causes cholesterol-increases, as well as high level of stress hormone Cortisol. I recommend to reducing of high Cortisol level some dietary supplements.

Possible Dietary Supplements and his Stress related Background

DHA: Docosahexaenoic acid an omega-3 chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, it
reduces high level of chronic stress-induced nor-epinephrine.
DHA is to be found in our food in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon.
The anti-stress effects of DHA were tested at the Toyama Medical & Pharmaceutical University in Japan. The norepinephrine concentration decreased significantly, by students under a continuous stress of final exams that lasted for 8 weeks.

Goji: These berries are important to support a healthy immune system (i.a. for stress balance) and intercellular communication too. These berries contain unique compounds known as Lycium barbarum polysaccharides such as rhamnose, xylose, glucose, mannose, arabinose & galactose. The Goji berry also has the polysaccharides LBP1, LBP2, LBP3 and LBP4.
I recommend dietary supplements, juice, extract or dried Goji for all type of stress.
PLEASE notice that Goji Berry is for me no general food or candy or “normal” dried fruits such as mango, banana etc. . It is a berry with medical effects and it MUST have the right dosage per day. Then it can be of great support for any stress forms.

Goji Berry and Stress-Related Benefits

Helps to regulate high blood pressure
Regulates blood sugar
Helps digestion
Memory boost
Immune boost
Energy boost
Fight free radical damage
Lowers cholesterol

Arabinogalactan: This is a fiber found in high concentrations in north american larch trees. Research conducted at the University of Minnesota revelated that Arabinogalactan stimulated immune cells with a higher intensity than Echinacea plant. Arabinogalactan (also known as “healthy sugar”) is a water-soluble polysaccharide to support generally immune system function and the immune-stress-balance. The micro flora healthy-balance in the GI-tract too. It promotes the growth of probiotic bacteria such as lactobacilli & bifid bacteria in the intestines, which are important for GI-tract health. I recommend a dietary supplement of arabinogalactan standardized to f.e. 85 % or 98 % arabinogalactan from larch. Arabinogalactan is for me an ideal option in treatment of chronic (short term) stress. I recommend this in combination with vitamin B2 (50 mg to 100 mg/day) and lycopene (at least 10 mg/day). Generally I recommend a cure of Arabinogalactan for a time of 4 to 6 weeks.

Acai Berry: The Acai is a fruit that grows on the Acai palm Trees in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil. Acai has many healthy natural ingredients.
Its antioxidant power is 10 times higher as red grapes and twice that of blueberries.
Also three plant sterols have identified in Acai such as B-sitosterol, campestol and Sigmasterol. These natural substances have been shown to have numerous health benefits for some healthy indications f.e. heart, digestive function, rheumatic pain, low immune system level. Plant sterols are good for immune system and regulate also cholesterol metabolism. The Acai berry is very rich in healthy omega fats. Freeze dried Acai powder (or capsule/juice or the other Acai nutraceuticals) is for me a typical natural supplement for highly stress resistance. It is a powerful antioxidant and immune-support (immune-stress-balance).

Nutritional Supplementation for Chronic Stress Treatment

SUPPLEMENT
SUGGESTED DOSAGE
COMMENTS
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) from tuna or algae
At least 100 mg/d
It reduces high level of chronic stress induced nor-epinephrine.
Arabinogalactan from larch
At least 500 to 1500 mg/d
It lowers Cortisol and/or epinephrine levels and it is a great immune booster.

Caution: Do not take Arabinogalactan if you have autoimmune diseases f.e. lupus or macula degeneration, cataract.
Phosphatidylserine (PS)
At least 100 to 300 mg/d
PS inhibit exercise and stress-induced increased Cortisol.
Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC)
At least 500 mg/day (initial dosage 1000 mg/d)
Ideal to treat adrenergic overproduction and/or Cortisol increase. Also it bind environmental toxins in the body.
Acai (dried freeze powder/caps/tablets)
1000 mg/d
The best time to take it is in the morning
Ideal support to immune-stress balance (esp. for any forms of chronic stress).
Colostrum
1000 mg/d
Lowers Cortisol/adrenergic overproduction.
Dried Goji Berry
The dosage is individual. But generally 5 berries in the morning, 10 midday, 5 evenings
It is ideal support for chronic stress and short term stress (f.e. adrenal fatigue) as well.
Fructooligosaccharide (FOS/Inulin) powder
¼ to 1 tsp./d
You can add in fruit salad, Smoothies, sweet pancake, yoghurt etc. . FOS taste is comparable to sugar and has a beneficial effect on the immune system/stress balance.
Agaricus Blazei Murill (ABM)
At least 1000 mg/d
ABM enhances the activity of macrophage and this significantly activated our immune system/stress balance.

Ginkgo Biloba standardized extract
At least 120 mg/d
May help control Cortisol levels.
Bee pollen
2 to 3 tsp./d
Bee pollen contains vitamin-B-complex (including B12), proteins, carbohydrates and important trace elements such as chromium & manganese and the minerals magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc. Provitamin A (immune support) is including too.

Have you any other stress related questions, (esp. to chronic stress)? Then do not hesitate to contact the author direct. He has a own rubric “Ask a Question” and I make free consultations per e-mail for a stress related website in India.

http://www.guidetostressmanagement.com/forms/ask.php

References:

1.D’Adamo P. Larch arabinogalactan is a novel immune modulator. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients 1996, July; 156: 42-46.

2.Emil I. Mondoa; Mindy Kitei, the book: Sugars – That Heal, 2001.

3.Effects of pure crude Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on immunopharmacology, published in Zhong Yao Cai. 1999 May;22(5):246-9.

4.Ulrich-Lai Yvonne M; Ostrander Michelle M; Thomas Ingrid M; Packard Benjamin A; Furay Amy R; Dolgas C Mark; Van Hooren Daniella C; Figueiredo Helmer F; Mueller Nancy K; Choi Dennis C; Herman James P
Daily limited access to sweetened drink attenuates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis stress responses.
Endocrinology 2007;148(4):1823-34.

5.Mayumi Watanabe; Chikako Tomiyama-Miyaji; Eisuke Kainuma; Masashi Inoue; Yuh Kuwano; Hongwei Ren; Jiwei Shen and Toru Abo, Role of a-adrenergic stimulus in stress-induced modulation of body temperature, blood glucose and innate immunity, Immunology Letters, Volume 115, Issue 1, 15 January 2008, Pages 43-49.

6. Dan Kenner, Treatment of immune dysfunction from post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic disease with AHCC, Townsend Letter for Doctors, December 2001, pp. 68-72.

Treatment for Chronic Stress
By Mirko Albrecht, Dipl.-qualified NC.
Contact Mirko