90% of French people, men and women, feel stress: you are not alone in the face of pressure!
In the modern era, stress has become a constant in our lives, impacting our physical and emotional well-being.
Indeed, from a medical point of view, stress triggers biochemical reactions which can disrupt our internal balance, leading to an increase in blood pressure, heart rate or even blood sugar levels.
Emotionally, it can cause anxiety, irritability and even depression.
Fortunately, it is possible to counteract these harmful effects. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular physical activity, respecting a sleep schedule or a balanced diet, you can significantly reduce your stress level.
In addition, integrating certain food supplements into our daily routine can be beneficial. Discover our recommendations for dealing with stress below!
Magnesium:
Magnesium plays a crucial role in regulating the body's response to stress.
Chronic physical or mental stress can deplete the body's magnesium stores. In addition, low magnesium levels intensifies the feeling of stress, thus creating a vicious cycle.
Magnesium regulates the activity of the body's stress response system. Several studies suggest that magnesium supplementation may help reduce anxiety, alleviate stress, and minimize feelings of anxiety.
It also plays an essential role for the enzymes, hormones and neurotransmitters responsible for regulating mood. Additionally, magnesium is associated with inflammation, which is known to influence symptoms of depression.
Research indicates that low magnesium intake is linked to an increased risk of depression. They also suggest that increasing magnesium intake can significantly improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. In some cases, this improvement would be as effective as that obtained with antidepressant medications.
Passionflower:
Passionflower, also known as Passiflora, is a plant that has attracted interest for its potential calming properties.
Traditionally used to combat anxiety, passionflower is also favored by some to treat insomnia, stress, ADHD and pain. These calming properties appear to be linked to its ability to increase the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Indeed, GABA reduces brain activity, thus promoting relaxation and restful sleep.
A 2001 study even compared the effectiveness of passionflower to that of oxazepam, a powerful chemical anxiolytic. The results revealed similar effectiveness between the two. Note that, unlike oxazepam, which can cause dependence, passionflower offers a natural alternative without the risk of addiction.
L-Tryptophan:
L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in many protein-rich foods.
While amino acids are primarily known for their role in building proteins in our body, they also have more complex functions. They are in fact involved in the creation of molecules crucial for the transmission of signals in our body.
L-tryptophan, in particular, is a precursor to the molecule 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), which is then transformed into serotonin. The latter is a neurotransmitter with varied effects, affecting several organs, including the brain and intestines. In the brain, serotonin plays a key role in regulating sleep, cognition and mood.
Taurine:
Originating from the Latin word "taurus", meaning "bull" or "ox", taurine is so named because of its initial discovery in ox bile in 1827 by German researchers Friedrich Tiedemann and Leopold Gmelin. A few years later, in 1846, it was also identified in human bile by Edmund Ronalds.
Contrary to popular belief, taurine does not come from bull semen. Moreover, despite the misconceptions conveyed by certain media, it is not harmful.
Beyond these clarifications, taurine is a molecule with multiple biological functions. It is involved in the conjugation of bile acids, has antioxidant properties, regulates osmolarity, stabilizes cell membranes and modifies calcium signaling.
Additionally, it is crucial for cardiovascular health, muscle development, retinal function and central nervous system activity. Its regulatory role on the nervous system makes it a valuable ally against stress.
Vitamin B6:
Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in several biochemical processes in our body. It is particularly essential for modulating the activity of the adrenal glands, thus influencing our response to stress.
Faced with stress, our body consumes more vitamin B6, hence the need to increase intake during periods of tension.
This vitamin is also instrumental in balancing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, two key neurotransmitters for mental stability and mood management.
Vitamin B6 is in fact involved in the synthesis of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These are essential for regulating anxiety, combating depression and managing pain.