Is it possible to measure our stress levels by understanding our stress hormone output? Yes, read on!
In a previous blog post I cited the 2018 Mental Health study which indicated that over the last year 74% of people had felt so stressed they had been overwhelmed or unable to cope.
Working on our ability to cope with stress with good nutrition, lifestyle changes, mindfulness and, if relevant, supplementation rather than simply patching up the symptoms is so vital to long term health.
A great example of this is stress driven fatigue and feelings of muscular weakness. The body works overtime at keeping us in working order when we are stressed. The constant production of stress hormones requires many of the nutrients which would usually be used up in bodily repair. Let’s take magnesium as an example. Ongoing stress increases magnesium losses. Ongoing stress often encourages the consumption of alcohol. Consumption of alcohol also encourages magnesium loss.
If your magnesium levels are low, symptoms may look like this; poor appetite, nausea, sleepiness, feeling weak, muscle spasms and shaking in extreme cases.
So, by supplementing magnesium the symptoms may be reduced. However, the trigger remains! Long term, it is much more productive to work on the cause of an issue. By addressing how to cope with stress eventually we may not need that magnesium supplement.
Step 1 in your stress busting plan could well be a functional test. I use a saliva test by Genova diagnostics. This is called the Adrenal Stress Index. Cost £120.
The test will allow us to understand what your cortisol levels are doing. They should follow the pattern below, rising gradually to wake us in the morning then tailing off so we can fall into a deep sleep, without waking through the night.
In cases of extreme ongoing stress, the patterns I see can vary from sharp rises in the morning often reflected in a client’s anticipation of a very stressful day, or sharp peaks in the evening which can impact upon sleep. Occasionally I see ‘burnout’ signs of very low cortisol often manifesting in symptoms of lethargy, depression and/or low motivation.
Sample report showing 2nd cortisol sample peaking
The test results allow us a clear starting point with which I can advise on specific supplements or bespoke dietary measures at defined times of the day. Lifestyle strategies for stress busting can also be discussed.
The end result, our ultimate aim, is a calmer you. Calmness and stress resilience are both key to longevity so is well worth taking time over.
Call me to discuss how the test may benefit you 07786 232594