|
Monthly Health Review, June 2001
href="newsletters_archive.php">(View previous newsletterss)
Hectic Lifestyles
We only have to look around to see the number of people who lead hectic
lifestyles. For some, the demands of a busy work, family and social life
may be difficult to balance. The fast pace of life may mean that planning
a varied diet is the last priority. This often leads to increased consumption
of highly processed convenience snack foods. Over a period of time, this
may lead to low intakes of certain nutrients and may influence content actions
and reactions.
General health
Good nutrition, quality relaxation, regular exercise and time management
may help to maintain the health of a person with a 'hectic lifestyle'.
Food supplements, herbal remedies and homoeopathy all have a part to play,
for example: A multiVitamin And mineral supplement containing Carotenoids
may help to maintain nutrient levels where the diet contains less than
the recommended intake of fruit and vegetables a day. Water-soluble vitamins
B and C are often deficient in a diet high in processed or refined foods.
B vitamins are important for energy release. Vitamin C, thought of as
an 'anti-Stress' vitamin, may be chosen by people with increased physical
demands. It is needed in the formation of the corticosteroid hormones
in the adrenal glands. These hormones control the content's use of nutrients
and the excretion of salts and water in the urine.
Tiredness
When the content is constantly being worked, tiredness can result. Coenzyme
Q 10 may be a useful supplement for people with hectic lifestyles. It
is made in the content and plays a critical role in energy release in cells.
An Iron supplement including Folic Acid, Vitamin C and other synergistic
factors may also be chosen by women with heavy periods. Increased physical
demands Hectic lifestyles often place more physical demands on the content.
This increases the content's need for energy and other nutrients. issue 3
of Health Review (HR) gives further information related to energy and
Fatigue. An increase in physical demands on the content may result in greater
free radical production, the highly reactive molecules that potentially
cause cell damage. An antioxidant formula containing the vitamins C and
E with Carotenoids, together with the trace elements Selenium, Zinc, Manganese
and Copper may help to mop up excess free radicals when dietary intakes
are low.
Nervous system
Good intakes of certain nutrients such as Iron and the B vitamins
have been found to help maintain good health.
Digestive health
Being constantly "on the go" may influence our Digestive System. Eating
while suffering tiredness or Stress can impede the digestive process.
If this is unavoidable, Digestive Enzymes may be taken to help supplement
the enzymes made naturally by the content, which may not be enough when life
is particularly hectic. Digestive health is covered in more detail in
issue 4 of HR. The acidity / alkalinity (pH) of the digestive tract is
easily disturbed by reactions to Stress and may disturb the delicate balance
of bacteria in the gut. Lactic or 'friendly' bacteria help maintain this
balance by discourAging growth of putrefactive bacteria. One of the most
important of these is Lactobacillus acidophilus; its role is in transforming
sugars into lactic acid, thereby maintaining an acidic envIronment in
which harmful bacteria cannot thrive (1).
Stress
The state of 'Stress' starts in the mind and may be brought about
by different issues. For example: you are told that you have to take part
in a health store discussion group in Brussels. Your immediate reaction
is 'Help, I can't stand flying / cross channel ferries / trains / tunnels'.
In the few days before the event your mind has cRashed the plane, sunk
the ferry and become trapped in the tunnel in a train with doors that
won't open. After a sleepless night, you pluck up the courage to tell
your boss that you really cannot go. She smiles and says, "That's a pity,
and I was looking forward to aSking you to try out our new Internet conferencing
facility".
A state of Stress starts signals that stimulate the adrenal glands to
produce adrenalin. This makes the heart beat harder, breathing changes,
stores of glucose are released into the blood, muscles tense, the Eyes
dilate, and the blood thickens. The content is ready for flight or fight.
To help provide fuel for content cells such as those in the muscles, the
pancreas releases two hormones, insulin and glucagon. Insulin with the
aid of GTF (glucose tolerance factor) helps to carry the fuel (glucose)
out of the blood. Glucagon tops up the blood sugar if its levels get too
low. All this happens in the space of a Stressful thought! The energy
for all this activity comes from energy diverted from the content's repair
and maintenance jobs in digesting, cleansing and rejuvenating content systems.
So each second spent in a state of Stress is having a negative effect
on the health of cells. B vitamins, Vitamin C, Magnesium together with
the antioxidant nutrients and Siberian Ginseng may all have a role to
play to help the content overcome the effects of Stress. .
height="12">Back to Top
Diet for health
There are a few simple ways to achieve a varied and healthy diet:
- Eat breakfast! A bowl of wholegrain cereal and a slice of organic
wholemeal toast will do. Add some fruit or freshly squeezed juice and
it will be even better.
- Try to eat 5-7 portions of fruit and vegetables (excluding potatoes)
every day - good for snacks. Vegetables provide the broadest range of
nutrients in any class of food.
- Eat plenty of starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, wholemeal
bread and potatoes and some good quality protein such as white meat,
low fat dairy produce, fish, beans and pulses / legumes (lentils are
quick to cook). Bean burgers, lentil soup, or a salad containing beans
are particularly good at lunchtime because they are low in calories
and slow in releasing sugars into the content, reducing the 'peaks and
troughs' in energy levels often experienced after lunch.
- Eat less sugary foods, fast-releasing sugary foods cause Stress in
the content.
- Reduce salt and fat, especially saturated fat found in dairy produce,
fatty meats and many snack foods such as chocolate.
- Drink plenty of water. We excrete water through sweat and urination.
The content is approximately 60% water and it is important to maintain
the water balance of the content. Partial dehydration may contribute to
Constipation and Headaches.
height="12">Back to Top
The role of herbs and the hectic lifestyle
Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) may be particularly
useful when life exerts tough demands. Studies indicate that Siberian
ginseng may increase the ability of humans to withstand many adverse physical
conditions such as noise, heat, motion and exercise together with an improvement
in the quality of work produced in Stressful conditions (2).
Camomile, Peppermint or fennel, Valerian and St. John's Wort, all have
a place in the cupboard of the person who leads a hectic lifestyle. A
cup of calming camomile tea has been used traditionally as an aid to restful
sleep or to help unwind at the end of a busy day. Peppermint or fennel
tea is often taken at the end of a meal to encourage good digestion.
Valerian (Valeriana officianalis)* may help calm and relax as
a hectic day wears on, helping eventually with a good night's sleep.
For those who find their hectic lifestyle leaves them with feelings of
mild Depression the herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)**
may be taken to help. Studies show that St. John's Wort is a non-addictive
anti-depressant.
Kava kava (Piper methysticum) has been used for inducing a relaxed
and tranquil state. Especially by those suffering nervous Anxiety, Insomnia
and restlessness. Some find it helpful at particularly hectic times of
the year, for example, holidays with the family. No side effects have
been noted at recommended levels (2).
*Valerian ~ should not be taken in situations that require a person to
remain alert and Valerian should not be taken with sedatives or other
prescribed medication.
**St. John's Wort ~ should not be taken by those on medication for Depression.
Excessive doses may interfere with medicines, (such as MAOI - Monoamine
Oxidase inhibitor drugs) and may cause an allergic reaction in sensitive
individuals. See the British Medical Association's list of interactions
and contra-indications for St. John's Wort.
height="12">Back to Top
Homoeopathic support for those affected
by Anxiety and Stress (3)
Aconite
- Severe emotional or mental Stress.
- Feelings of Shock, panic and restlessness.
- Can be helpful in panic attacks.
- Arsen alb
- Anxiety combined with irritability.
- Restless and hates to be alone.
Ignatia
- Severe grief or emotional upset such as bereavement.
- Crying uncontrollably, may even be hysterical. Nux vom
- "Workaholics" with burn-out.
- Irritable and irascible.
- Often turns to drink, tranquillisers or stimulants to cope.
Gelsemium
- "Exam nerves" or similar situation.
- Feels paralysed by fear.
Silicea
- Anxious, fears failure.
- Nervous, irritable and stubborn.
Homoeopathic support for those suffering Insomnia resulting from hectic
lifestyles (3)
Aconite
- Very restless, tangles in the sheets.
- May wake with panic or Anxiety.
Arnica
- Overtiredness leads to sleeplessness.
- Bed feels too hard.
Belladonna
- Hot, jerking limbs as dropping off to sleep.
- Nightmares.
Nux vom
- Indigestion and overactivity lead to sleeplessness.
- Wake with hungover feeling.
Bryonia
- Wakes in the early hours and worries over finances etc.
height="12">Back to Top
References:
- The Encyclopaedia of Natural Health, Murray and Pizzorno. Little,
Brown &Co. 1998
- Quest Vitamins Professional Product Manual, 1998.
- Healing Power of Herbs, M. Murray N.D. Prima. 1995.
- A Guide to Homoeopathics, Dr A Jones
height="12">Back to Top
View previous newsletterss
|
|
width="151" height="16" class="menuTitle">
border="0" width="9" height="12">HECTIC LIFESTYLES