Stress-Busting Foods

How to Reduce Its Negative Effects

The following nutrients can be depleted by stress. If you make an attempt to supply them through your diet you may be surprised at the diminished negative effects of winter blahs.

- People under stress require increased amounts of acetylcholine, formed from choline. Choline foods: egg yolks, organ meats, brewer's yeast, whole grains, soybeans, fish, 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: citrus fruit, alfalfa sprouts, green vegetables, cantaloupe, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, 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: nuts and seeds, organ meats, brown rice, carrots, beets, celery, endive, dandelion greens, fennel, snap beans, Brussels sprouts, chives, 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: sunflower seeds, seafood, organ meats, mushrooms, brewer’s yeast, soybeans, eggs, whole grain. B6 foods: yeast, whole grains organ meats, egg yolks legumes, green leafy vegetables, muscle meats.

- The metabolic effects of chromium deficiency are apparent when under stress. Chromium foods: clams, whole grains, brewer’s yeast.

- Stress often causes the urinary excretion of acids which chelate (grab) iron and other metals, removing them from the body. Iron foods: organ meats, egg yolks, fish, oysters clams, whole grains, beans, green vegetables.

- Pantothenic acid supports the adrenal gland. Pantothenic acid foods: organ meats, brewer’s yeast, eggs, legumes, sweet potatoes, whole grains, salmon.

- Magnesium is reduced when too many free fatty acids float around in your blood, a consequence of stress. Magnesium foods: vegetables, whole grains, raw dried beans and peas, seafood, nuts.

- Hormones secreted as a result of stress cause a decrease in the essential ratio of potassium and sodium. Potassium foods: lean meats, whole grains, vegetables, legumes, sunflower seeds, bananas. Warning: Only totally natural, totally unprocessed foods contain more potassium than sodium.

Massage and Reflexology are both great stress relievers!

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