Foods Relieve Stress

Foods Relieve Stress

 Foods Relieve Stress. The idea that all types of stress-including psychological stress, physical exertion, lack of sleep, etc.-are the same, or can be relieved by consumption of particular foods, does not have any basis in research. Too many different factors, both physical and psychological, contribute to stress. Unless you know the root cause of the stress, it's difficult to know what foods and nutrients might be helpful in reducing or preventing it.


We realize that some people try to reduce their stress by overeating, or by eating highly pleasurable treats. Although common sense tells us that our stress will only be made worse by unhealthy eating, we want to emphasize the importance of approaching stress with healthy changes rather than unhealthy ones. When feeling stressed, the best steps a person can usually take do not involve food. They involve physical relaxation and deliberate focus on breathing and on releasing stressful thoughts. Although we don't try to provide comprehensive lifestyle change information on our website, you might be interested in taking a look at some typical stress reduction steps offered by Susan Lark, MD, at the following website address: http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1205.

If we look at preventing stress (rather than reducing it once it has already occurred), there are many more potential food-related options. Foods components that act as stimulants, like caffeine, can be problematic in contributing to stress. For this reason, we recommend that caffeine-containing foods like coffee, tea, or chocolate be eaten in limited amounts. Because stress can involve disruption of our blood sugar levels as well as our immune system activity, we also recommend that meal plans be developed in a way that will support blood sugar consistency and immune system balance. Blood sugar consistency requires us to avoid concentrated sugar foods like fruit juice, dried fruit, and all added-sugar foods. It also requires us to consume whole, natural foods that are high in fiber and that provide a minimal amount of protein. Keeping our blood sugar stabilized is one way to help prevent stress.

In the immune system category, avoiding foods that cause adverse reactions is also worthwhile in stress prevention. You can find detailed information on allergy-producing foods in our article on the "Allergy Avoidance Diet."

One particular set of nutrients-the B-complex vitamins-appear especially important in prevention of stress. We like all of the vegetables, especially the dark green leafy vegetables, as sources of B-complex vitamins. We also like whole grains for this same reason.

The timing of meals is also important in prevention of stress. In general, one of the best guidelines to follow is: eat the most before you do the most, and don't eat a lot when you are not going to be doing much (physically) afterward. For example, eating a large amount of food within an hour or so before bedtime (more than 250-300 calories' worth of food) is usually problematic, especially if the food is high in protein or fat. The amount of time your body will spend digesting this food is too great and may end up interfering with the quality of your sleep. Similarly, skipping lunch and working out later in the afternoon can be a problem because your body will lack the nutritional support it needs to stay vital throughout the exercise. Timing your meal pattern to match your day's activity pattern can help avoid nutritional stress-and some psychological stress as well.

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Heart Trouble? 18 Herbal Remedies to Avoid

Millions of Americans take herbal remedies for ailments ranging from high cholesterol to depression. Though widely viewed as safe, these products can cause serious interactions in people taking prescription drugs for heart problems.
A 2010 report by Mayo Clinic researchers listed more than 25 herbal products that can be dangerous for heart patients on medication. The following guide to herbal products that heart patients should avoid was prepared using data from the report, as well as from the National Institutes for Health and the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.
Garlic

• What it is: A member of the onion family, available commercially as an oil, extract, or pill (in addition to its natural state).
• What it's used for: To lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, as well as blood pressure. Also used as a blood thinner and to combat atherosclerosis.
• The risk: Garlic's blood-thinning properties can increase the risk of bleeding associated with warfarin, an anti-clotting drug commonly prescribed to people with heart-rhythm disorders, and to people who have had heart attacks or heart-valve replacements.

Saw palmetto

• What it is: The fruit of the palmetto tree (a type of palm tree), available as a capsule, liquid, or tea.
• What it's used for: Primarily used to fight the urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate gland, saw palmetto is also used to combat hair loss, chronic pelvic pain, and decreased sex drive.
• The risk: Increases the risk of bleeding associated with warfarin.

<a href="http://health.msn.com/health-topics/video.aspx?vid=2975ccbf-ccbd-4770-9785-f016ae2edc78&from=IV2_en-us_health_health-topics_quit-smoking&fg=Health_article_inline_16x9" target="_new" title="Prepare Healthy Meals">Video: Prepare Healthy Meals</a>
Gingko

* What it is: The extract of the leaves of the ginkgo plant (also known as the maidenhair tree), sold as a capsule or tea.
* What it's used for: Ginkgo is mainly used to improve memory and prevent dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), but it has also been used to treat asthma, ringing in the ears, sexual dysfunction, and leg pain caused by poor circulation.
* The risk: Increases the risk of bleeding associated with aspirin and warfarin.

Echinacea

* What it is: The roots and herb of the echinacea plant, dried or extracted and sold as a capsule, tea, or juice.
* What it's used for: To prevent colds and flu and boost the immune system.
* The risk: Can increase the risk of liver damage associated with statin medications, niacin, and fibrates, all of which are prescribed to lower cholesterol.
* What it is: A yellow-flowered plant, Hypericum perforatum, that is sold as a capsule, tea, or liquid extract.
* What it's used for: Primarily used to treat depression and anxiety, St. John's wort is also used as a sedative in sleep disorders.
* The risk: Affects how the body absorbs dozens of prescription medications and may diminish the efficacy of statins, beta-blockers (a class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart-rhythm disorders), and calcium-channel blockers.

Green Tea

* What it is: The leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Usually steeped in water, but also available as a capsule or extract.
* What it's used for: To lose weight, improve mental alertness, lower cholesterol, and prevent cancer.
* The risk: Green tea contains vitamin K, which can counteract the effect of warfarin.

Alfalfa

* What it is: A plant in the pea family, the dried leaves of which are ground up and sold as capsules.
* What it's used for: To lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and to reduce the plaques caused by atherosclerosis.
* The risk: Increases the risk of bleeding associated with warfarin.

Ginger

* What it is: A root, often used in cooking, that is also processed and sold as a capsule.
* What it's used for: Ginger has been used for centuries to treat various stomach ailments (such as nausea, diarrhea, and stomachache). It is also used to treat joint and muscle pain.
* The risk: Increases the risk of bleeding associated with warfarin.

Billberry

* What it is: The dried extract of the bilberry fruit, which is very similar to the blueberry. Sold as a capsule.
* What it's used for: Bilberry is used to treat problems associated with poor circulation, most notably varicose veins and venous insufficiency, in addition to diarrhea, skin problems, eyestrain, and menstrual cramps.
* The risk: Bilberry may improve blood circulation, but it can also increase the risk of bleeding associated with warfarin.

Fenugreek

* What it is: A seed (often ground into a powder) that has been used since the days of ancient Egypt and is available in capsule form.
* What it's used for: Fenugreek has been used for a wide range of ailments, including digestive problems, hot flashes, and a lack of breast milk. More recently, it has also been used to lower cholesterol.
* The risk: Increases the risk of bleeding associated with warfarin. Fenugreek can also lower blood sugar, which can cause complications for diabetics.
Ginseng

* What it is: An herb, native to Asia, that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and is now sold as a capsule.
* What it's used for: To boost energy, stamina, and the immune system. Also used to lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.
* The risk: When overused, ginseng can actually increase blood pressure and can diminish the effect of warfarin.

Grapefruit juice

* What it is: The juice cartons in the supermarket, right next to the orange juice.
* What it's used for: To lose weight and to promote heart health.
* The risk: Grapefruit juice interferes with an enzyme that is essential for properly absorbing medications including statins and calcium-channel blockers, which intensifies the effect of those drugs. A single glass of grapefruit juice more than doubles the amount of calcium-channel blocker available to the body, research has shown.

Aloe Vera

* What it is: The pulp of the aloe vera plant.
* What it's used for: In addition to its familiar use as a lotion and salve, aloe is taken orally to treat serious health conditions including arthritis, epilepsy, diabetes, and asthma.
* The risk: Aloe vera can cause a drop in the blood's potassium level, which in turn can lead to heart-rhythm problems (arrhythmias), as well as complications in heart patients taking the drug digoxin.

Black cohosh

* What it is: The extract of the root of the black cohosh plant, Actaea racemosa. Sold as a capsule.
* What it's used for: Black cohosh is mainly used to assuage the symptoms of menopause (hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats), but it has also been used to treat joint and muscle pain.
* The risk: Like St. John's wort, black cohosh may interfere with certain prescription medications, including statins, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers. It also carries a risk of liver damage.

Hawthorn

* What it is: A flowering shrub related to the rosebush.
* What it's used for: The fruit of the hawthorn shrub has been used to treat the symptoms of heart disease for hundreds of years, while the leaf and flower are also used to treat heart failure.
* The risk: Hawthorn has been shown to strengthen the contractions of heart muscle, which may interact negatively with prescription heart-failure medications.

Yohimbe

* What it is: An extract of the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree (also known as yohimbine or yohimbe bark).
* What it's used for: As an aphrodisiac, and to treat erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems in men.
* The risk: Yohimbe increases heart rate, and can both raise and lower blood pressure, potentially causing complications in people with heart problems.

Licorice root

* What it is: The dried extract of the root of the licorice plant, sold as a capsule.
* What it's used for: Licorice root is used to treat ulcers and other stomach ailments, bronchitis and sore throat, and some viral infections.
* The risk: It can raise blood pressure. Like aloe vera, it can also cause a dangerous drop in blood potassium levels.

Butcher's broom

* What it is: The extract of the shrub Ruscus aculeatus, also known as butcher's broom. Sold as a capsule.
* What it's used for: To improve ailments associated with poor circulation, such as varicose veins, venous insufficiency, and leg cramps.
* The risk: Butcher's broom can interfere with the action of alpha-blockers, a class of drug that is prescribed to lower blood pressure.

And many more...

These aren't the only herbal products heart patients should be wary of.

Angelica, capsicum, fumitory, gossypol, Irish moss, kelp, khella, lily of the valley, ephedra, night-blooming cereus, oleander, and strophanthus can all interact negatively with heart medications.

Heart patients taking medication—and everybody else, for that matter—should check with their physician before taking a dietary supplement.

Source:health.msn.com