Includes

Fatigue, anxiety, depression and sugar cravings.

Description

Stress (from the Old French word destresse) is a combination of responses by organisms when facing pressure or constraints in their environment. In current language, we talk about good stress (eustress) or bad stress (distress).

Canadian researcher Hans Selye has helped us better understand the phenomenon of stress and its repercussions. Selye highlights the fact that stress is as physical (biochemical and physiological) as it is mental.

For most people, stress is a concept used to describe a vague feeling of malaise. However, it is an actual biological reaction to external or internal chemical, physical or sensory stimulation.

From a naturopathic perspective, stress and its effects are not just psychological; they are first and foremost physical. Unfortunately, when we experience the cumulative effects of stress or undergo a major shock, the body changes its way of managing various functions and goes into "fight or flight" mode. These changes can occur in the digestive, nervous, respiratory and cognitive systems. Some symptoms even develop once the stress is over. It bears repeating: stress is first and foremost physical. Its psychological aspect is secondary.

The purpose of a naturopathic approach is to help the stress glands resume proportional reactions to normal stress.

Dietary Considerations

Reduce as much as possible or completely eliminate simple sugars (e.g. white, brown and raw sugar, honey, corn syrup and maple syrup). Eat at least 3 meals per day and be sure to eat enough protein at every meal.

Supplements

• DC 22 or DC 37
• DC 41
• DC 11
• DC 52
• DC 46

Note

• See section on "Hypoglycemia" and our article, "The Stress of Life."

Other

• Read the book, "Syndrome S"