SUPER NUTRIENTS TO BEAT BURN OUT
It’s common in urban modern day living that we are constantly exposed to stress. Stress is everywhere. The pandemic has separated us from our old ways of life but it's also had an unforeseen effect on how we interact with one another and changed the way people work and live in general. Biologically, we’re not wired to remain in a state of uncertainty, constant stress or isolation. We are, after-all, only designed to cope with small bouts of stress on the rare occasion a saber-tooth tiger might want to eat us and we are indeed (yes all you introverts) biologically, historically and psychologically social beings (1).
However, aspects of modern life like the internet and social media have made it easier than ever to spend time fixated on things we don't control. Humans are not wired with the stimulation required for this consumption, which leads us into an increasingly chaotic world without any say in what's going around - often at our own expense while neglecting relationships that should take priority over anything else.
The unfortunate reality is that modern life doesn’t just take a toll on our intimate relationships but can also lead us into a constant sympathetic state (fight or flight mode) This can lead (over time) to chronic stress which results in an inflammatory cycle, causing neurological and hormonal imbalances. However, many of the downsides can actually be mitigated and the upshot is, nutrition could play a part in reversing the burn out cycle.
In this article you will learn specifically about the best nutrients to protect your body and mind from the negative effects of stress and keep you performing at your best.
WHAT IS BURN OUT?
When you're stressed out, it can have a significant impact on your health—and even the balance of hormones in your body.
"Burnout" is defined as a state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion. Symptoms associated with burnout include - lack of energy, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, cynicism, decreased productivity and a sense of not being able to meet the demands of everyday life.
Our brains are very susceptible to stress. It has been shown that long-term exposure can lead not only to irritability and anxiety but also endocrine disorders such as thyroid problems, diabetes and obesity - some notable examples. Chronic stress also accelerates cell death in the brain, which could lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (2). This feeling of uncontrollable overwhelm affects millions worldwide, to the extent that it’s classified by the WHO as an “occupational phenomenon”(3) .
HOW TO BEAT BURNOUT WITH KEY NUTRIENTS
Glycerophosphocholine (GPC), Acetyl L-carnitine & Phosphatidylserine found in Scholar
Glycerophosphocholine (GPC)- is a nutrient that helps to protect our brains from the damaging effects of stress. It does this by increasing the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is essential for learning and memory.
Acetyl L-carnitine is an amino acid that helps turn fat into energy, which can help you feel more energized during times of stress or anxiety. It also helps to produce serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that help regulate mood and motivation.
Phosphatidylserine is a nutrient that helps support the health of our cells, including our brain cells. It has been shown to help protect against the damaging effects of stress. It also helps to extend lifespan, improve our mood, cognitive function and protect from Alzheimer’s (6).
B-Vitamins found in Energiser Complete and Rejuvenator
B vitamins are essential for energy production and protecting our cells from damage. They are involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions, which makes them essential for our brain and nervous system health. B12 in particular is an important vitamin for protecting us against stress. Getting plenty of the right B vitamins helps to reduce anxiety depression, improve memory and cognitive function (7).
--Make sure you take B vitamins in their active coenzymed form as they are more bioavailable and better absorbed by the body.
RHODIOLA & N-ACETYL TYROSINE FOUND IN REJUVENATOR
Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb that helps improve mood, cognitive function and energy levels.
N-acetyl tyrosine is an amino acid that helps to increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that help to regulate mood and motivation. It is often used by athletes to improve their performance and reduce fatigue as well as an alternative treatment for stress and anxiety.
REFERENCES
- Social Beings. Core motives in social Phychology. Princeton University. Susan T Fiske (2018) https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=zE6MDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR15&dq=humans+are+social+beings&ots=RZ6XqI_h5o&sig=_H7Yz6rKCOAXBtvTrk3J5y2lgTM&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=humans%20are%20social%20beings&f=false
- Stress effects on the hippocampus: a critical review. Learn Mem. Kim EJ, Pellman B, Kim JJ. (2015) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4561403/
- Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon” International Classification of Diseases. The World Health Organisation 2019. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
- Role of Magnesium in Oxidative Stress in Individuals with Obesity. Biological Trace Element Reaserch (Marreiro et al 2017) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12011-016-0793-1
- Selinium, Vanadium, and Chromium as Micronutrients to Improve Metabolic Syndrome. Current Hypertension Reports. (Brown et al 2017)https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11906-017-0701-xm
- Phosphatidylserine modulates response to oxidative stress through hormesis and increases lifespan via DAF-16 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Biogerontology (Kim, BK., Park, SK. 2019) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10522-020-09856-0#citeas
- Cognitive Function in an Elderly Population, Psychosomatic Medicine (Vogiatzoglou et al 2013)https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2013/01000/Cognitive_Function_in_an_Elderly_Population_.5.aspx
- Phosphatidylcholine restores neuronal plasticity of neural stem cells under inflammatory stress. Sci Rep. Magaquian, D., Delgado Ocaña, S., Perez, C. et al. 2021) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-02361-5