You may have heard that chronic stress can sabotage even the best weight loss efforts, and this is absolutely true.
And here’s why. Even if you don’t think you have stress, you may want to consider that the body doesn’t know if you’re planning a wedding or a funeral, if you are running way from a lion, or training on a treadmill, if you are in a famine or trying out a new weight loss diet. Stress can also be pollution, difficult social relationships, sedentary lifestyles and toxins in our food.
Our bodies are designed to survive, and in the 21st Century survival looks a whole lot different then it did 25,000 years ago.
Cortisol, a hormone made in our adrenal glands, is produced when we are under chronic stress.
More stress causes more cortisol production.
Losing weight is extremely hard when we are stressed.
Cortisol is anabolic for fat (ie builds up/grows) and it is catabolic for muscle (breaks down/shrinks).
More muscle improves our metabolism, more fat causes inflammation.
More muscle balances our blood sugar levels, more fat can lead to blood sugar imbalances/sugar cravings.
Muscle improves our memory, our mood and even our bone density, fat does not.
We know that movement, strong social connections, nature and a whole foods diet helps to reduce stress, BUT we also know that stress is inevitable and chronic stress negatively impacts our overall health and quality of life.
Which is why Cortisol Calmer is one of my favorite stress management tools. This well researched combination can be taken during the day but I often recommend it be taken before bed to help improe sleep, which is negatively impacted by stress.
It contains
Vitamin C:
- A crucial ingredient for out adrenal glands to function optimally.
- Stored in the adrenal glands to help buffer the effects of stress.
- Slows the effects of aging by protecting against free radical damage/oxidative stress.
- Supports the immune system and help fight infection and allergies
Vitamin D3:
- Benefits overall immune function by preventing prolonged or excessive inflammatory responses.
- Involved in hormone synthesis to balance depression, seasonal affective disorder and severe mood problems experienced during PMS, insomnia and anxiety.
- Helps with concentration, learning and memory.
Ashwagandha:
- Treats adrenal fatigue/insufficiency by acting as an adaptogen to reduce the impact of stress.
- Reduces anxiety and depression.
- Increases stamina and endurance.
- Boosts immunity.
Rhodiola:
- Helps to lower excessive production of cortisol.
- Fights depression and improves brain function.
- Supporting weight loss and helps to burn belly fat.
- Increases energy and athletic performance, while reducing mental and physical fatigue.
Relora:
- Combination of Magnolia officinalis, known for supporting normal adrenal function, and Phellodendron amurense, known for supporting a calm state of mind.
- Supports balanced adrenal function and mproves tolerance to occasional stress.
- Promotes a sense of calm, without causing drowsiness.
- Supports normal sleep patterns.
L-Theanine:
- Reduces anxiety, depression and other mood-related disorders
- Support relaxation, feelings of well-being, and high sleep quality
- Helps reduce cognitive loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease