The liver breaks down fats and gets rid of toxins. Stress-induced hormones and toxins due to nutrient deficiency, overburden the liver. Irritability, acne, weight gain, diabetes, gallstones, extreme fatigue, headaches, pale fingernails, bloating, and nausea are some triggers to step up your game to detox and increase your nutrient intake. Cleanse between seasons with lower-fat smoothies.
While you sleep tonight, your liver will be quietly working, very efficiently and effectively, to filter and clean your blood from toxins that circulate in your body. Your liver is also responsible for processing the fats that you eat, by producing enzymes and bile that break them down and allow them to be used in your body.
Recent studies and personal experiments (like the documentaries Super-Size Me and Fat vs. Sugar) have shown us that our livers are not only damaged by alcohol abuse, but have a surprisingly serious amount of damage (which can be permanent) from a high-fat diet.
High-Fat Diet Could Be Ruining Your Liver
Up to 90% of cancers are thought to be due to the effects of environmental toxins plus deficiencies of nutrients the body needs to function properly for detoxification and immune systems.
But how do you know if your liver is crying out for help?
Look Out For These 15 Signs
- More than 20 lbs overweight, especially around abdomen
- Diabetes
- Gallstones
- Extreme fatigue
- Weakness and/or nausea
- Headaches, particularly after eating fatty foods
- Bloating or gas from onions, cabbage, radishes, or cucumbers
- Acne, psoriasis, or eczema
- Yellow or pale fingernails
- Irritable or easily angered
- Poor concentration
- History of heavy alcohol use
- Natural or synthetic hormone use
- High exposure to chemicals or drugs
- History of viral hepatitis
What we need to do for our liver is to both nourish and cleanse, simultaneously and consistently.
If we detox without nourishing, we deplete our bodies energy and nutrient stores. People may feel a short-term boost from a detox, but then quickly start feeling weak and drained. If we nourish without cleansing, our livers will never fully catch up from under the backlog of toxins (think mountains of paperwork) we’ve left it to process over the years.
The solution is to go on a simple 3-7 day cleanse at the change of seasons. My definition of cleanse is a bit different from most, though. It’s about eating healthy whole foods, and releasing the things that are dragging us down – not about starving ourselves. It’s not usually necessary to go to the extreme.
Cleansing means getting out of the way, and allowing our livers room to catch up and do their jobs the way they were designed to do them.
There are different styles of nourishing cleanses you could do, and for a liver imbalance I usually recommend a lower-fat smoothie cleanse to lighten the workload, while still getting all the nutrients and fiber your body needs to function as well as purge toxins that need to be released. Incorporating specific natural supplements can help to re-balance and catch up from nutritional imbalances or deficiencies.
The Liver – The Internal Detoxifier
Many people talk about detoxifying without understanding that our bodies are in a constant state of detoxification. We’re subject to a steady stream of toxins, coming from the healthiest organic kale, and even from the natural by-products of our body’s metabolic system.
Our livers are custom-built to neutralize those normal toxins and process a moderate level of fat in our diet.
So while our respective livers are perfectly capable of filtering out toxins, modern-day unhealthy diets combined with degrading air quality may land our livers in need of some serious support.
If our metabolism is out of balance for any reason (like when cutting carbohydrates or when we have a nutrient deficiency), the level of toxins produced in your metabolism increases. When we’re under stress, our glands produce hormones that need to be processed by our liver.
All of those things may put a heavy workload on your liver, asking it to do more than it was designed to do. And just like when there’s too much paperwork on your desk, at a certain point it gets to be overwhelming.
If your liver can’t keep up, it starts falling further and further behind. As we age, the production of enzymes and the blood flow through your liver decreases, making the situation even worse.
Without making some significant changes, your liver’s ability to process toxins gets so far behind it just won’t be able to catch up without your help.
Not only that, but since most of us are overfed and undernourished (meaning we get a significant amount of our calories from foods that don’t have much for vitamins and minerals), our immune system and digestive organs aren’t getting the nutrients they need to function effectively.
So it’s a double-edged sword: we’re overloading our liver with work, and not giving our bodies the nourishment they need to function. How can we possibly expect it to work under those conditions? There is no union for livers, fighting to have their rights recognized, and their plight is not as obvious to our brains as our tastebuds’ desires.
If left for too long without proper cleansing and balanced nourishment, our livers may wind up metaphorically going on strike: a condition called hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver.
If planned properly, a simple cleanse can help reset and boost your liver’s function, so that it’s ready and able to get back to work. The symptoms listed above should fall away, leaving you feeling healthier than you thought possible.
4 Signs And Symptoms Of A Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Deficiency
Are you worried that you might have a vitamin B2 deficiency? Not getting adequate levels of the vitamin can leave you feeling less than perfect and hold you back from leading a normal active life. Look out for these signs so you can catch a deficiency early and avoid more severe damage.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Is Needed For Red Blood Cell Production, Growth, And More
Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin that helps with red blood production, respiration, cellular function and growth, antibody production, and reproduction. If you want healthy nails, skin, and hair, you’d do well to ensure adequate intake of this nutrient. It also has a part to play in thyroid function, regulating the activity of the gland.
1.1–1.3 mg Of Vitamin B2 Needs To Be Consumed Daily
Since vitamin B2 is water soluble, it isn’t stored in your body and must be consumed on a regular basis to supply your body with adequate amounts of the nutrient. While adult men need about 1.3 mg a day, women need 1.1 mg a day, according to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) numbers from the Food and Nutrition Board. A woman, however, needs more of the vitamin when she’s expecting or nursing her baby. So aim at 1.4 mg if you are pregnant and 1.6 mg if you are lactating.
Not getting enough riboflavin can begin to take its toll on your body rather quickly, which is why the first signs and symptoms will show up as early as a few days after your intake becomes low enough to make your body deficient. Here’s what you need to watch out for.
1. Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Like Low Mood, Lethargy, And Hypochondria
Having a riboflavin deficiency has also been linked to certain neuropsychiatric symptoms. For instance, you may feel tired and lethargic or lazy. You may also experience mood dips. Hypochondria, a condition that causes you to live in constant fear that you might have some form of serious illness, can hamper your day-to-day living. Someone with this problem may believe or fear that normal functions of your body like sweating are an indication of some terrible illness. They may also become concerned or fixated about the health of specific organs like the heart or the digestive system.
2. Poor Iron Absorption And Anemia
A riboflavin deficiency may also impair absorption of other B vitamins, further compounding any B vitamin deficiencies.
Not having adequate riboflavin in the body can interfere with your body’s ability to handle or use iron. This deficiency affects your bone marrow, resulting in lower red blood cell count. As a result, you may become more prone to developing anemia, especially if your iron intake is already low. Anemia manifests with one or more of these signs:
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Pale/yellowish skin
- Rapid/irregular heartbeat
- Pain in the chest
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Cold clammy hand/feets
- Whooshing/pounding in the ears
3. Pellagra That Results In Dermatitis, Diarrhea, and Dementia
Pellagra is the result of a deficiency of multiple B vitamins, including B2. The result of the condition is referred to as the “three Ds” – dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. If you have pellagra, you may experience one or more of these signs and symptoms:
Another skin symptom associated with a vitamin B2 deficiency is seborrheic dermatitis, a cause of dandruff. The skin on your scalp may become red and scaly.
Cracked Lips, Sores, And Other Skin Problems
Dermatitis and other skin-related symptoms to expect include:
- Lesions resembling sunburns in areas exposed to direct sunlight like the arms and legs, forehead, and lower neck.
- Burning and itchiness of the skin
- Scaling and exfoliation
- Painful sores at the corners of your mouth (angular stomatitis)
- Swollen, cracked, and dry lips (cheilosis)
Swelling Of The Mouth And Tongue
Besides the visible swelling, this may cause symptoms like:
- Excessive saliva production
- Soreness in the mouth
- Bright red swollen tongue
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Riboflavin deficiency and the resulting pellagra can also interfere with your digestive system, causing:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Burning sensation in the upper abdomen
-
Neurological And Psychological Symptoms
In addition to the physical symptoms, you may also experience neurological and psychological symptoms that include:- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Headaches and dizziness
- Irritability
- Tremors
- Apathy
About 4 to 10% of those with pellagra go on to develop mental problems like dementia.
4. Eye Problems Like Cataract, Blurred Vision, And Photosensitivity
A vitamin B2 deficiency also makes you prone to cataract formation if you experience a severe deficiency for a prolonged period. Your eyes may itch often or look red. This may result in blurred vision. It may also make you light sensitive, so your eyes hurt or water when you experience any glare or too much sunlight.
Some People Are More At Risk Of Vitamin B2 Deficiency
Certain people are more prone to a vitamin b2/riboflavin deficiency. They include:
- Elderly adults
- Adolescents
- Vegetarian athletes because of how exercise and related stress affects your body’s metabolism of the nutrient
- Vegans/anyone who doesn’t consume dairy or milk regularly
- Pregnant women
- Lactating mothers
-
How To Increase Vitamin B2 Intake
Riboflavin is found in the following kinds of foods, so get in enough to keep a deficiency at bay. Here are options for people on a normal diet and a plant based diet.
- Organ meat like beef liver and kidneys
- Lean meats
- Clams
- Eggs
- Dairy products like milk and yogurt
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Malted barley
- Leafy vegetables like spinach
- Fortified foods like breakfast cereals, oatmeal, processed cheese, fruit drinks, and baby foods
Just remember, because it is a water-soluble vitamin, if you choose to cook your food by boiling it, you stand to lose a lot of the nutrient content – twice as much than if you cooked by steaming. Instead, lightly steam it or use the microwave and you should lose much less. If you have other medical problems or a severe deficiency, it is best to consult your doctor to decide on the need for supplements or other treatment.
A swollen vein and the throbbing pain and irritation that follow aren’t going to be pleasant. But if phlebitis is making you downright miserable, you need to set things right pronto. After all, this inflammation of a vein, also called thrombophlebitis when caused by a blood clot, can affect your mobility and everyday activities. But beyond the discomfort, phlebitis needs attention because of the fatal implications it sometimes has.
While superficial phlebitis affects surface veins and is not usually harmful, phlebitis of deeper veins may even cause blood clots to travel to the lungs with life-threatening consequences.
Because of the possibility of such complications, your first line of treatment if you suspect phlebitis will have to start at the doctor’s. This is to gauge the extent of the inflammation. If it is severe, your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medication to stop blood clots from going into deeper veins and the bloodstream. Anti-inflammatory painkillers and creams are usually used to reduce swelling and pain due to phlebitis.
Once serious implications are ruled out, some simple home remedies can help get you back on track. And the good news is that phlebitis can be treated once caught early and further episodes even prevented. Here’s what you can do to tackle the symptoms at home.
1. Use Compression Stockings
Phlebitis usually develops on your lower legs, but surface veins on the penis, arms, or breast may also be affected. Look out for pain, swelling, and itching in the affected area. It may also be warm to the touch and may cause a fever.
Compression stockings are designed to help maintain blood flow and reduce swelling and discomfort. They’re typically worn through the day and taken off at night. Using compression stockings may help you tackle sluggish blood flow and reduce swelling if you have phlebitis. Have a word with your doctor to find out how long you need to wear them.
2. Apply A Warm Water Compress
Intravenous medicinal therapy may also lead to phlebitis if the veins are irritated.
Applying a warm water compress is an easy way of reducing swelling. One study found that patients who develop phlebitis due to intravenous fluid therapy responded well to warm water compresses. The researchers suggested this was an inexpensive and effective treatment to tackle phlebitis. Incidentally, phlebitis is a common effect of intravenous fluid therapy.
To prepare a compress, soak a clean washcloth in warm water and wring out the excess moisture. Apply this to the affected area for 10–20 minutes. Covering the compress with plastic wrap can preserve the heat for longer. You’ll need to do this 3–4 times a day.
3. Keep The Area Elevated And Pressure Free
Avoiding standing for long periods and keeping your legs raised when you sit can help prevent thrombophlebitis. Regular exercise, particularly walking, may also improve blood circulation, especially in people with varicose veins.
If you have inflammation in your veins, keeping the area elevated can help reduce the swelling. Not applying pressure to the area is also a good idea as it can ease pain as well as bring down the chances of further damage.
4. Apply Aloe Vera
Thrombophlebitis that occurs during pregnancy usually doesn’t return after delivery.
Applying anti-inflammatory aloe vera has been found to speed up the resolution of symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain in people with phlebitis due to intravenous therapy. Components like glucomannan, gibberellin, and salicylic acid in aloe vera may be responsible for its beneficial effect.
Simply crack open an aloe vera leaf, scoop out the gel inside, and apply it to the affected area for relief. Rinse in 20 minutes, doing this twice every day.
5. Dab On Diluted Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Fragrant lemon eucalyptus oil also works against inflammatory conditions such as phlebitis. Experts suggest that mixing 10 drops of this essential oil in a teaspoon of sunflower oil or other carrier oil and applying this to the affected area can be beneficial. You can also mix 15 to 20 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil in a teaspoon of milk, add that to your bathwater, and settle in for a relaxing soak.
6. Have Garlic And Onion
Onion and garlic have sulfur-containing compounds such as paraffinic polysulfides, adenosine, and allicin which work as blood thinners. These compounds can prevent blood platelets from clumping together to form blood clots. So adding these flavor boosters to your diet may help prevent blood clots that lead to inflammation in your veins.
Do keep in mind though these are not meant to substitute blood-thinning medications prescribed by your doctor. You cannot stop any prescribed medication without your doctor’s go ahead and should keep them informed if you’re having foods with a blood-thinning effect in addition to blood-thinning medication.
7. Drink Pineapple Juice
Pineapples contain a group of enzymes known as bromelain. Research indicates that this important component can be beneficial in the treatment as well as prevention of thrombophlebitis. Bromelain has been found to be effective at easing swelling and inflammation. It also has a blood-thinning effect as it can reduce the tendency of blood platelets to stick together. So sip on some delicious pineapple juice to ease your inflamed veins and get a host of other health benefits as well. You could also check with your doctor about bromelain supplements.
8. Take Ginger
Ginger is another widely available ingredient with both anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning effects. One study increased the stickiness of blood and its tendency to form blood clots in healthy men by adding 100 grams of butter to their diet for a week. But when 5 grams of ginger was added to the high-fat meal, it had a blood-thinning effect and the tendency of blood platelets to clump together was significantly inhibited. So adding this spice to your cooking doesn’t just amp up the yum factor, it’ll also keep blood clots which can lead to inflammation in your veins at bay.
Stress is an inevitable part of modern life. While not all forms of stress are bad (since some even drive you to do your best), long-term stress that exhausts you or steals your interest from the joys of life must be treated. It’s all right to feel distracted, tense, or irritable for a few days. You’ll be fine when the immediate stressor – an exam, a rough patch in the relationship, or an urgent project – vanishes. But it’s not okay if you have been feeling low, tired, and irritable for months now. Long-lasting stress or chronic stress can cause depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, and premature aging. This is all due to the buildup of the stress hormone, cortisol. Too much cortisol suspends some body functions, like digestion or immunity, and disrupts glucose metabolism. It also damages the hippocampus, the memory store of the brain.
Ayurveda recommends the rasayana or a rejuvenating herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) or Indian ginseng for stress reduction and prevention of stress-induced diseases. Modern research finds it an excellent remedy for stress and other disorders of the nervous system, along with diseases such as cancer, tumor, and thyroid and kidney disorders. Ashwagandha acts as an adaptogen (a combination of amino acids and vitamins) that helps the body adapt to stress and boosts energy, stamina, and endurance, thus improving overall health, thanks to antioxidant chemicals called withanolides and sitoinsides.
1. Can Reduce Cortisol Levels By 28%
A study on patients of stress showed that ashwagandha root extract capsules for 60 days brought down the cortisol levels of the test subjects by 28%, which can be considered a huge improvement.
What makes stress a difficult condition to cure is that it can be both a cause and an effect of several other disorders. So while chronic stress can lead to diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, depression and anxiety, insomnia, premature aging, and even nerve-damaging disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, most of these in turn can worsen stress. Ashwagandha can both prevent stress and cure its after-effects.
2. Treats Depression And Anxiety
A prolonged state of acute stress will eventually lead to anxiety and depression. Clinical trials on animals have proven that ashwagandha is as effiective as standard anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs in alleviating the symptoms.
3. Promotes Sleep And Cures Insomnia
High cortisol levels can lead to fragmented sleep, decrease deep sleep, or even lead to insomnia or sleep apnea. Lack of sleep, in turn, affects health and becomes a source of constant anxiety. Ashwagandha promotes restorative sleep and balances the energy in the body without acting as a sedative and helps treat insomnia better than sleeping pills in the market.
4. Prevents Premature Aging
Stress can make you age faster by shortening the telomeres. Let us explain. Telomeres are located at the end of each chromosome in your body. With each cell division, telomeres shorten; and as telomeres shorten, you age. Chronic stress increases the production of reactive molecules called free radicals, which go on to damage the DNA in your cells. Soon, the natural antioxidants in the body cannot counter and repair this damage. As a study found, the telomeres are affected the most by such oxidative damage, which leads to their rapid shortening.
Ashwagandha has an anti-aging effect that can be attributed to its chemicals called glycowithanolides. In a study, ashwagandha extract was daily administered by researchers 1 hour before a stress-inducing procedure. The results showed that the potent antioxidants in ashwagandha could reduce the free radical damage. This in turn would halt the rapid aging caused by telomere shortening.
5. Prevents And Treats Nerve Damage
As chronic stress increases the production of free radicals, it also leads to nerve-degenerating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The antioxidants in ashwagandha fight the free radicals, reduce inflammation, and protect the nerves from damage. Ashwagandha also repairs damaged nerve cells and reconstructs the synapses between nerves. This reconstruction of neuronal networks is a major step toward healing the disease.
6. Treats Diabetes Caused By Stress
Ashwagandha can both cure and prevent type 2 diabetes by reducing cortisol levels. High cortisol levels slow down glucose metabolism and suppress insulin production. Ashwagandha has been found to lower blood glucose levels by 12% and increase insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. In this, it was as effective as standard glucose-lowering drugs.
7. Lowers High Blood Pressure
Cortisol is a hormone responsible for regulating blood pressure, but in excess, it leads to high blood pressure or hypertension. A study on patients suffering from hypertension showed that ashwagandha root powder mixed with milk could bring down the systolic and diastolic readings.
Research also suggests that because of its heart-protecting functions, ashwagandha can help prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Ashwagandha Dosage For Stress Relief
Given that ashwagandha has powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidative properties, it is one of the best herbs for people looking at alternative therapies. It is also preferable over drugs like benzodiazepines and other prescription stress medications, which have adverse side effects, including depletion of nutrients.
Take a daily dose of 1–2 teaspoons (3–6 g) of dried ashwagandha root powder. Don’t take larger doses. It can affect your digestion. It’s best to avoid ashwagandha if you’re pregnant as large dose may induce abortion.
Of course, ashwagandha will help, but here’s what you can do too. Set a routine, follow a healthy diet, and exercise well – running is a great remedy for stress. Do not rely on alcohol, smoking, and caffeine as ways of coping with stress. Rather, build emotional strength and adopt a positive outlook.
I have suffered from fluctuating Cortisol levels for sometime. I actually did not become aware of this until about six or seven years ago. They say a little bit information is dangerous, and I guess in my case that is true. Once I found out that I had some Cortisol level issues I did a bunch of research to find out what would work for me.
The suggestions below are things that I have done to keep my Cortisol levels under control. One of the things I learned is that high Cortisol and low Cortisol have some of the same symptoms.
So my goal became just to get rid of the symptoms, that were driving me CRAZY!
( As always consult your medical provider when it comes to making any significant lifestyle changes – especially if you are on any medication)
What Is Cortisol?
Simply stated Cortisol is a hormone made by the adrenal glands which is essential to almost every process in the body and also for maintaining homeostasis.
When your body is under stress it goes into the flight or fight response. As a result your body signals the cells to increase your adrenaline and Cortisol levels. Initially your body will increase the Cortisol in response to the demand by the body.
Unfortunately, after a while the body can’t keep up with the demand of Cortisol and the Cortisol production begins to lower resulting in some not so great symptoms. What are those symptoms?
Low Cortisol Levels Symptoms
- Night sweats
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Low energy
- Weight fluctuation
- Heart palpitations
- Depression
- Nervousness
High Cortisol Levels Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Cravings for salt and sweets
- Sleeplessness
- Hot and cold flashes
- Night sweats
- Weight fluctuation
- Fatigue
- Brain fog/memory issues
- Nervousness
- Increased heart palpitations
- Blood pressure spikes
- Aches and pains in the early morning
As you can see both high Cortisol levels and low Cortisol levels can bring on the same symptoms. If you are not sure which level is your condition, consult your medical practitioner.
I have suffered from most of these from time to time. I have found that I normally fall in the high Cortisol level.
I also learned what causes my Cortisol levels to rise is stress. There can be other causes for your Cortisol that you may not know anything about. Hence, find out what is causing the deficiency.
Whatever the cause these suggestions can help to keep your Cortisol within acceptable ranges. I have used these solutions for the last three years to minimize symptoms. I have found that overall they do work.
One thing that I have learned is you have to really be in tune with your body to understand what works best for you. Another thing you must do is be consistent. Once you identify what works for you continue to do it.
11 Things To Balance Your Cortisol Levels Naturally
These are some great ways to get your cortisol levels balanced. Sometimes you got to get back to basics:
1. Get Moving
Yes you must move your body to get relief. There are so many reasons why this is key to reducing your Cortisol. Once reason is it get the feel good hormones increasing and decreases the need for the body to produce Cortisol. Try some movement you enjoy, walking, jogging, dancing (that is a really fun one), skating, jumping rope (okay maybe that is a bit out there) but whatever increases your movement really helps.
2. Yoga
One of the great stress reliever is Yoga. The focus on breath and body placement helps to lower Cortisol. If you have never done yoga before no worries. There are lots of Yoga Videos on YouTube and brief videos on Instagram.
3. Balance Your Blood Sugar
Even if you are trying to lose a few pounds you must eat about every two hours to keep your Cortisol levels healthy. You don’t have to eat pizza every two hours. You can eat something very healthy and low in fat. Actually it also a great way to keep your metabolism going if you are trying to loose a few pounds.
4. Watch A Movie – Go To Comedy Club
Yes that’s right. LAUGH. Studies show is is one of the most effective ways to lower Cortisol.
5. Sleep Is Your Friend
We are a sleep deprived nation. We do not get enough rest. In fact some pride themselves on just needing four hours of sleep a night. This is so NOT the way to get healthy. You need to get a good night’s sleep every night at least 6 to 8 hours.
6. Avoid Negativity
Keep your immediate environment positive. Listen to music that is uplifting. Stop hanging with people who are always negative and complaining. Monitor what you watch on TV (especially the news). A constant dose of negativity brings stress and more stress brings Cortisol.
7. Increase Your Vitamin C
Studies have shown that 1000mg to 1500mg daily of Vitamin C helps to reduce Cortisol. Eating oranges (citrus in general) strawberries, and any from the berry family are very helpful.
If you choose a supplement make sure it is not synthetic – those are a waste of money because only a very small percentage is actually absorbed by the cells.
8. Digital DeTox Everyday!
Turn off all the TVs, computers, cell phones and anything else with a blue screen a couple of hours or so before bedtime. You can still listen to relaxing music, read or just be.
Studies have shown that first our brains need to disconnect each day from the constant stimulus that our digital lives bring every day. Second, the blue screens are definitely prohibitive when it comes to getting a deep sleep.
9. Eat These Foods
A steady dose of wild salmon, red bell pepper, beans, black tea, garlic, avocado, spinach, herb teas, fruits with vitamin C are great to help keep Cortisol levels within acceptable limits.
6. Avoid Negativity
Keep your immediate environment positive. Listen to music that is uplifting. Stop hanging with people who are always negative and complaining. Monitor what you watch on TV (especially the news). A constant dose of negativity brings stress and more stress brings Cortisol.
7. Increase Your Vitamin C
Studies have shown that 1000mg to 1500mg daily of Vitamin C helps to reduce Cortisol. Eating oranges (citrus in general) strawberries, and any from the berry family are very helpful.
If you choose a supplement make sure it is not synthetic – those are a waste of money because only a very small percentage is actually absorbed by the cells.
8. Digital DeTox Everyday!
Turn off all the TVs, computers, cell phones and anything else with a blue screen a couple of hours or so before bedtime. You can still listen to relaxing music, read or just be.
Studies have shown that first our brains need to disconnect each day from the constant stimulus that our digital lives bring every day. Second, the blue screens are definitely prohibitive when it comes to getting a deep sleep.
9. Eat These Foods
A steady dose of wild salmon, red bell pepper, beans, black tea, garlic, avocado, spinach, herb teas, fruits with vitamin C are great to help keep Cortisol levels within acceptable limits.
10. Massage therapy And Dry Brushing
A great way to relax, increase the blood flow, and stimulate your dopamine levels. All of which lowers Cortisol.
11. Magnesium
Whether it is in a pill form (not as potent) or in an Epsom salt bath or magnesium flake foot bath, all are helpful when lowering Cortisol levels. Magnesium does help one to relax in general, so it makes sense that it ultimately helps with stress levels, which of course impact Cortisol levels.
As I stated earlier, a combination of all of these have worked for me. You just have to experiment to see what works for you. One thing for sure, you will begin to feel better.
These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.