People Under Stress
Effects of Stress
Did you know the following nutrients can be depleted by stress? If people make an attempt to supply them through their food they may be surprised at the diminished negative effects of winter blahs.
- People under stress require increased amounts of acetylcholine, formed from choline. Choline foods include: egg yolks, organ meats, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, soybeans, fish, and legumes.
- When under stress, large amounts of ascorbic acid are lost, particularly from the adrenal cortex. (Constituents of protein are not properly formed when ascorbic acid supplies are diminished, an additional problem.) Ascorbic acid foods include: citrus fruit, alfalfa sprouts, green vegetables, cantaloupe, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, and green peppers.
- Serotonin precursors improve mood disorders (a precursor is a substance from which another substance is made). Serotonin is a chemical messenger which transmits impulses between brain cells. Tryptophan is a significant precursor of serotonin. Tryptophan is necessary for the manufacture of serotonin. Tryptophan foods include: nuts and seeds, organ meats, brown rice, carrots, beets, celery, endive, dandelion greens, fennel, snap beans, brussels sprouts, chives, and alfalfa.
- Stress depletes zinc. Stress may cause urine excretion of a substance called krytpopffole, which takes with it both zinc and vitamin B6. Zinc foods include: sunflower seeds, seafood, organ meats, mushrooms, brewer’s yeast, soybeans, eggs, and whole grain. Vitamin B6 foods include: yeast, whole grains, organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, green leafy vegetables, and muscle meats.
- The metabolic effects of chromium deficiency are apparent when under stress. Chromium-rich foods include: clams, whole grains, and brewer’s yeast.
- Stress often causes the urinary excretion of acids which grab a hold of iron and other metals, removing them from the body. Iron foods include: organ meats, egg yolks, fish, oysters clams, whole grains, beans, and green vegetables.
- Pantothenic acid supports the adrenal gland. Pantothenic acid foods include: organ meats, brewer’s yeast, eggs, legumes, sweet potatoes, whole grains, and salmon.
- Magnesium is reduced when too many free fatty acids float around in your blood, a consequence of stress. Magnesium-rich foods include: vegetables, whole grains, raw dried beans and peas, seafood, and nuts.
- Hormones secreted as a result of stress cause a decrease in the essential ratio of potassium and sodium. Potassium foods include: lean meats, whole grains, vegetables, legumes, sunflower seeds, and bananas. Warning: Only totally natural, totally unprocessed, foods contain more potassium than sodium.
