How Diet Affects Your Stress Response

HOW DIET AFFECTS YOUR STRESS RESPONSE

& what you can do to improve it

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— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

Humans evolved with a complex system for managing stress. This was designed for acute stressors, and is necessary for survival

We didnt evolve, however, to handle chronic stress in modern times

The question is, what causes this? And what can we do about it?

Let’s take a look👇🏼

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

The HPA (hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis) is the system your body uses control reactions to stress.

It is made up of hormones, endocrine organs, and other molecules.

It is the reaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands.

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

When the HPA is chronically activated, it leads to dysfunction, then can no longer effectively regulate hormone production like cortisol and other hormones.

This then affects things like your gut and brain.

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

Some common symptoms of HPA dysfunction are anxiety, leaky gut, IBS, infertility, insulin resistance, and much more.

Stress response all plays a huge role in aging.

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

Many things play a role in HPA function. Things like proper sleep, light environment, and breath work play a huge role.

One thing that is often overlooked, though, is diet.

Here are 5 things that play a role:

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

1. Avoiding processed foods

A standard western diet high in processed foods can cause chronic stress. Studies on animals show that processed foods elevate the biological stress response in animals.

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

2. Get enough micronutrients

Some things that play a role, just to list a few are:

Magnesium- absolutely essential for HPA function as well as many other things

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

Omega 3- also play a role in HPA function. Low levels can increase cortisol production.

Vitamin C- plays a role in adrenal function

L-theanine- an amino acid that supports a balanced stress response

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

3. Avoid extremely restrictive diets.

If you have HPA dysfunction, being in a major calorie restriction can make it worse. This can increase cortisol levels which can actually make you gain more weight.

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

Obviously, though, if you are overweight you should prioritize losing it.

However, focusing on giving your body a surplus of nutrients is very important

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

4. Nourish the gut.

The gut can plays a huge role in stress response through the gut-brain axis. A healthy gut is crucial for proper HPA function.

Read more about the connection here: https://t.co/KYaZucREwl

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

5. Regulate your blood sugar.

Glucose regulation and cortisol levels are closely linked. Poor regulation can have poor effects on HPA.

Read more here: https://t.co/W3P07pfb6E

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

Other things like alcohol and drug consumption, exposure to endocrine disruptors, exposure to environmental toxins and more can also effect the HPA.

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023

Overall, what you put in your body plays a huge role in your stress response as well as sleep, light environment and proper breathing.

— Cooking with Chris (@coookwithchris) June 26, 2023