Food and stress management: Combating stress with a balanced nutritional diet

Abstract

Stress is an entangled phenomenon and each person has their own stress endurance level. Exposure to stressors outcomes in a sequence of embedded responses (stress responses)consisting of sequence of reactions in the body system such as behavioral
modifications and various hormonal secretions. There is a strong relationship between stress and eating behavior of individual. Serotonin is known as a happy hormone, although cortisol is named as a stress hormone that influences the function and feelings
of our body.Long term stress will trigger different illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. There are several ways to deal with stress and one intelligent alternative is to eat stress fighting balanced nutritional diet and reducing stress through food. A well balanced diet with correct nutrients has powerful stress reducing benefits that improve functioning of brain, intensify immune function, lower blood pressure, improve circulation and cut back toxins from the body.These nutrients in food (complex carbohydrates, proteins, tryptophan, vitamin C, vitamin B and minerals) play an important role in managing stress.Food and nutrition affects our interactions with family, friends, community and environment. We need to decide about what and how we eat that affect not solely our health and welfare, but the health of those around us and of our planet. So, build the proper changes, read the labels, concentrate on how you feel after eating, drink plenty of water, add more fruit and vegetables to your diet, plan your meals by the day or may be the week. Nutrition/food education is an essential part of improving dietary habits, food choices and plays an excellent role in stress reduction and management.

Full text

Food and stress management: Combating stress with a balanced nutritional diet
Chetna Sharma*, Devina Vaidya, N.S. Thakur, Anil Gupta and Kanchan Bhatt
Department of Food Science and Technology
Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HP
173230, India
*Corresponding author email: chetnasharma0077@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
The human body is made up of complex network of vessels, capillaries and other
necessary component structures that interact and communicate with the brain, to
ensure normal functioning of the body. One of the important components of the
body are hormones, which are produced in glands situated in various areas of your
body. Humoral stimuli are changes in blood levels of non-hormone chemicals,
such as nutrients or ions, which cause the release or inhibition of a hormone to, in
turn, maintain homeostasis. Mood naturally fluctuates and everyone experiences
highs and lows in lives but in some cases changes in mood becomes long lasting.
Stress may be understood as a state of tension experienced by individuals facing
extraordinary demands, constraints or opportunities.
What happens to one’s body system when one is in stress?
Hypothalamus signals the sympathetic nervous system and the pituitary
The SNS stimulates the adrenal glands, which release corticosteroids to increase
metabolism which provides immediate energy.
The pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
The adrenal glands then release epinephrine and norepinephrine which prolongs
the fight-or-flight response may upset homeostasis and harm the internal organs
Threat is perceived
YOUR MOOD IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO YOUR FOOD
By knowing the food composition the nutritional content of food is known.
Nutrients are components of food needed for body in adequate amounts for
proper growth, reproduction and leading normal life.
Stress hormones will weaken your immune system and reduce your body’s
response to foreign invaders.
VITAMINS : Reduce stress and boost mood;
Reduce fatigue and boost mood.
B-complex vitamin supplements are not a cure for mental health issues, they may
help improve symptoms of depression or anxiety.
MINERALS : Potassium is important for the nervous system. The nervous
system relays messages between your brain and body.
It helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals.
Calcium is a key player in both depression relief and stress reduction, working
closely with magnesium, vitamin D, potassium and other nutrients to maximize its
benefits.
lack of iodine can cause an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, known as
a goiter, and other thyroid problems. In children, it can cause mental disabilities.
MUFAs and PUFAs : monounsaturated fatty acids and
polyunsaturated fatty acids are also referred to as the
"healthy fats." These fats protect your health and your heart.
Antioxidants may work to combat neuro-inflammation caused by free radical
damage, which is thought to be a precursor to neurodegenerative diseases such as
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The aromatic amino acids (tryptophan tyrosine, phenylalanine)
are the biosynthetic precursors for the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and
norepinephrine.
HOW TO REDUCE STRESS WITH DIET
Cortisol is often
called the "stress
hormone" because
of its connection to
the stress response.
Cortisol is one of
the steroid hormones
and is made in the
adrenal glands.
Changed patterns of serum cortisol levels
have been observed in connection with
abnormal ACTH levels, mood
disorders such as major depressive
disorder, anxiety disorders, psychological
stress, and physiological stressors such
as hypoglycemia, illness, fever,
trauma, surgery, fear, pain, physical
exertion, or temperature extremes.
According to WHO, India has the highest suicide rate among 10 South-East Asian
countries and depression is one of the leading causes for this.
Extremely high levels of stress can affect the fetus’s brain development.
STRESSED OR DEPRESSED?
Some stress, caused by regular life challenges, is unavoidable.
Severe stress, however, is a different story.
As anyone who has suffered chronic stress knows, with the resulting mood
swings, sleeplessness, and low of self-esteem it can bring, the line between stress
and depression can start to feel a little blurred.
While everyone feels down now and then, depression is a serious issue that
involves feeling low for several weeks or longer, even for years in some cases.
The advanced stage of stress is depression OR YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS
STRESS CAUSE DEPRESSION.
5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT
It appears to play a key role in maintaining mood balance.
Low serotonin levels have been linked to depression.
It is believed to help regulate mood and social behaviour,
appetite and digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual function.
Low levels of serotonin have been linked with: Craving for sweet or starchy
foods, difficulty sleeping, low self-esteem, anxiety, aggression, poor memory,
low mood
Foods that could boost your serotonin:
The Serotonin Diet: Tryptophan rich diet as Eggs, Cheese, Tofu, Nuts and seeds
GOOD FOOD GOOD MOOD
MODIMED DIET
Do not exclude calories from your diet.
Diet that encourages food such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy,
lean red meat, fish, egg olive oil and maximum two sugar beverages per week.
It incorporates more healthy ingredients such as olive oil and nuts, omega-3 fatty
acids , which aids in especially improving moods.
CONCLUSION
Health is defined by WHO is the “state of complete physical, mental and social
well being and not mere absence of disease or infirmity”. A healthy diet is a
solution to many of our health-care problems. We need to make decisions about
what and how we eat that foster not only our health and wellbeing, but the health of
those around us and of our planet and environment. Make the right changes, read
the labels, focus on how you feel after eating, drink plenty of water, add more fruit
and vegetables to your diet, plan your meals by the week or even the month.
Nutrition/food education is an essential component of improving dietary habits and
food choices. Eating well is the form of self respect, so don’t forget to eat right.
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