To celebrate World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October, this month we’re focusing on Metabolics Stress Support.
Metabolics Stress Support is a supplement that has been formulated with a combination of ingredients designed to support normal psychological function. Let’s take a closer look at how our supplements can help support this.
Neurotransmitter Production
Neurotransmitters are like messengers in your brain. They’re chemicals that help brain cells, called neurons, communicate with each other. If you think of them as little signals that allow your brain to send messages throughout your body, affecting things like your mood, thoughts, and physical actions. Different neurotransmitters play different roles and they help regulate everything from feeling happy to moving your muscles. Neurotransmitters include:
Serotonin
Serotonin plays a key role in such body functions as mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, wound healing, bone health, blood clotting, and sexual desire.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a chemical released in the brain that makes you feel good. Having the right amount of dopamine is important both for your body and your brain.
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is also known as noradrenaline, is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone. It plays an important role in your body's “fight-or-flight” response.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
This is an amino acid that functions as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter for the central nervous system (CNS). It functions to reduce neuronal excitability by inhibiting nerve transmission.
Excitatory
Excitatory neurotransmitters “excite” the neuron and cause it to “fire off the message”, meaning, the message continues to be passed along to the next cell. Examples of excitatory neurotransmitters include glutamate, epinephrine and norepinephrine
Inhibitory
Inhibitory neurotransmitters block or prevent the chemical message from being passed along any further. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and serotonin are examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters.
These neurotransmitters play key roles in regulating mood and reducing anxiety. Example ingredients that support these functions Stress Support are:
- Vitamin B6 - is involved in the synthesis of several neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. Adequate amounts of B6 can support the production of these mood-regulating chemicals.
- Folate - is involved in the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They play a role in regulating mood, emotions and stress response.
- Vitamin B12 - is involved in the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine. B12 can contribute to the production of these mood regulating chemicals.
- Magnesium – Magnesium helps to maintain the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, which are essential for mood regulation and stress response.
Nervous System Health
Metabolics stress support contains vitamins that help contribute to the normal function of the nervous system. Having a healthy nervous system is essential for effectively managing and coping with stress. When you encounter a stressful situation, your nervous system goes into flight or fight response. This response involves the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which prepares your body to react to the stressor. A healthy nervous system can regulate this response efficiently, ensuring that it is appropriate for the situation and that it subsides once the stressor is resolved.
A healthy nervous system contributes to emotional stability and regulation. It allows you to process and manage your emotions effectively, which is crucial for coping with stress. When the nervous system is functioning well, it can help you adapt to challenging situations without becoming overwhelmed by negative emotions like anxiety, fear, or anger.
Vitamins in this supplement that contribute to this are:
- Vitamin B6- B6 is also essential for the development and maintenance of a healthy nervous system. It helps the formation of myelin, a protective covering of nerve fibres
- Vitamin B12- B12 helps maintain the integrity of nerve cells and the myelin sheath, which covers and protects nerve fibres.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 plays a role in several processes in the body, including those related to mood regulation and stress management.
B6 is also necessary for the function of adrenal glands, which produce stress hormones like cortisol. Balanced cortisol levels are essential for managing the body’s response to stress.
Food containing B6 include:
- Poultry
- Fish
- Bananas
- Potatoes
- Chickpeas
- Fortified cereals
Folate
Folate, along with vitamins B6 and B12, helps to regulate homocysteine levels in the blood. Elevated homocysteine levels have been associated with increased stress, anxiety and sometimes depression. Folate can help maintain balanced homocysteine levels, promoting overall mental wellbeing.
You can find folate in foods such as:
- Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale broccoli)
- Legumes (beans, lentils)
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Fortified cereals
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in several bodily functions including supporting the nervous system and overall mental wellbeing.
B12 is also required for the conversion of food into energy. Fatigue and low energy levels can contribute to stress and reduce one’s ability to cope with stressors.
B12 food sources include:
- Meat (beef, poultry and fish)
- Dairy products (milk, cheese and yoghurts)
- Eggs
- Fortified cereals
Magnesium
Magnesium is a vital mineral that plays a significant role in the body, one being stress management.
Magnesium can contribute to better sleep quality and sleep support. Stress and anxiety often interfere with sleep patterns which can lead to insomnia or poor sleep quality. Magnesium can help relax the nervous system and some magnesium such as magnesium bisglycinate can have a calming effect on the brain helping with sleep.
Stress can also lead to elevated blood pressure, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular problems. Magnesium plays a role heart health support by regulating blood pressure and may help maintain normal levels, reducing the impact of stress on the cardiovascular system.
Foods that contain magnesium are as follows:
- Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale)
- Nuts and seeds (almonds, sunflower seeds)
- Legumes (beans, lentils)
- Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa)
- Dark chocolate (in moderation)
Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves, particularly green tea. It is known for its potential stress-reducing and relaxation properties. Here’s how theanine can help with stress support:
- Promotes relaxation- Theanine has been shown to promote relaxation without causing drowsiness. It achieves this by increasing the production of certain neurotransmitters including GABA, which is known for its calming effects on the brain.
- Stress Hormone Regulation- Theanine can help regulate the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels are associated with the body’s flight or fight response to stress. By modulating cortisol release, theanine can help prevent excessive stress hormone production.
- Improved sleep- Theanine may contribute to better sleep quality. Sleep disturbances are often associated with stress and theanine’s calming effects can promote a more restful sleep.
Green tea is a natural source of L Theanine. Drinking green tea throughout the day can provide a steady supply of L-Theanine to help promote relaxation.
Rhodiola Rosea
Commonly known as Rhodiola or artic root, Rhodiola Rosea is a herb that has been used in traditional medicine for years. Here is how this can help with stress:
- Cortisol Regulation- Rhodiola has been shown to help regulate cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels can contribute to stress-related symptoms including anxiety and fatigue. Rhodiola may help balance cortisol levels, reducing the physiological response to stress.
- Improved mood- Rhodiola extract may have mood-enhancing properties. It can affect the levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which plays a role in mood regulation. It may help reduce feelings associated with stress.
- Antioxidant effects- Rhodiola is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect the body’s cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Reducing oxidative stress can contribute to overall health and wellbeing
Stress Support Supplement
In conclusion, incorporating our stress support supplement into your daily routine could help you manage the challenges life throws your way.
With its carefully selected ingredients including Rhodiola Rosea extract and other stress relief compounds, this supplement is designed to help you adapt to stress, enhance mental clarity and promote a sense of calm.
Remember, stress management is an essential part of overall wellbeing and our stress support supplement is here to lend a helping hand but always speak to your healthcare practitioner before incorporating new supplements or foods into your diet.
Stacie Henson has been working at Metabolics for two years and has immersed herself in learning more about Metabolics products and nutrition generally.
She has completed basic nutrition courses and recently completed a Level 4 Nutrition Diploma. Stacie is currently studying for a Level 4 Transformational Nutrition course to further her experience and knowledge to better support Metabolics customers.
