Family Health & Wellness Blogs

Natural Ingredients That Help Manage Stress

Stress is your body’s reaction to a harmful, or potentially harmful situation, whether real or imagined. From dealing with a difficult boss or coworker, caring for an aging parent, paying bills or just dealing with the nightly news, stress is everywhere! When you are under stress of any kind, your mind and your body feel threatened.

When this happens, an actual chemical reaction occurs in your body to help protect yourself. This response is known as the ‘fight or flight’ response. Your heart rate goes up, you breathe faster, your blood pressure gets higher and your muscles tighten. All of this happens automatically and without you really having any control over it.

While the human body is prepared to handle small amounts of stress over the short-term, it’s not equipped to deal with stress on a constant, day-to-day basis. But it’s precisely this kind of constant, never-ending stress that we are bombarded with in today’s fast moving, twenty-four seven world. And, no part of your body is immune to the negative effects of stress; emotionally, physically and cognitively. Low energy, trouble sleeping, headaches, frequent colds, dry mouth, racing thoughts, upset stomach, cold or sweaty hands and feet…these are just a few of the ways your body and mind responds to unrelieved, constant stress.

Because stress has so many negative effects on both your body and your mind, it’s important to effectively manage stress.  Here are some key natural ingredients that can be taken daily to help manage stress:

• SOD (superoxide dismutase) is an extremely powerful antioxidant enzymefound naturally in almost all living cells. SOD functions to repair cells and works to reduce the damagefrom the most rampant free radical in the body, superoxidase. Plus, clinical double-blind scientific research studies show SOD helps to manage stress and improves sleep quality.*
• Chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to human beings, containing a variety of bioactive phytochemicals,including apigenin, a potent flavonoid. Apigenin, as well as other flavonoids present, acts in the brain to help induce relaxation and sleepand help to reduce anxiety.*
• Lemon Balm, a member of the mint family, is a soothing, calming herband was used as long ago as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety and to promote sleep. In addition to its calming, soothing effects, lemon balm is also an antioxidant.*
• Ashwaganda is a powerful adaptogen. Adaptogenic compounds help the adrenal system to regulate hormonesand help your body manage stress. Ashwaganda is especially helpful with sleep when stress is a factor.*

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. 

How To Support Prostate Health

It’s unlikely that a conversation about the prostate will come up at your office or next dinner party. However, this is an important topic. Every man should be concerned about their prostate health. There are several things you can do, regardless of your age, that can help keep your prostate healthy. Here are some simple suggestions when it comes to diet, lifestyle and supplements that support prostate health:

• Eat more fruits.When it comes to fruit, look for brightly colored such as berries which are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants. Also, watermelon and tomatoes which are a great source of the potent antioxidant lycopene.
• Don’t forget your veggies. For vegetables, cruciferous ones are by far your best choice. These include broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, which contain sulforaphane. These phytonutrients help with the activity of the body’s detoxification enzymes.
• Include more healthy fats in your diet.For instance, snack on a small portion of pecans, almonds or walnuts. These are also high in zinc, an important mineral for prostate health.
• Drink green tea. Green tea contains potent antioxidant compounds, such as EGCG.
• Replace animal fat with plant-based fats.For example, instead of butter, use olive oil.
• Don’t smoke.I’m sure you know this already but let’s emphasize the importance: Anyone who is conscious about their health should not be smoking.
• Get a PSA blood test and examannually, beginning at age 50.
• Exercise.Too much body fat, especially around the stomach increases the risk of an unhealthy prostate. Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight and feel great!
• Take probiotics.Probiotics are “good” bacteria. They can help with the balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestinal tract, with the additional benefit of supporting the immune system.
• Try phytosterol supplements.Phytosterols are a group of natural compounds found in plants. Two popular ones for prostate health are beta-sitosterol and saw palmetto extract.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.