Last month we talked a little bit about how our spiritual life affects our total health (body, soul, and spirit), discussing prayer and faith.  This month, we'll touch on the soul (our mind, emotions, and intellect), specifically how stress can affect our total health.

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STRESS
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We all have it.  Certain stressors in our lives are unavoidable.  Others, with some thought and planning, could be eliminated or reduced.  Whatever the stress, it's how we handle it that makes the difference in our mental and physical well-being.

[The following information is compiled from the December 2000/January 2001 issue of Partners magazine.]

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Understanding Stress
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In 1956 Dr. Hans Seyle, an endocrinologist, defined stress as, "the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it."  These "demands" he called stressors.  These stressors can be physical and environmental (such as trauma, pollution, or allergies), physiological (such as pain, lack of sleep, poor diet), and mental (such as anxiety or depression).

These stressors can also be acute, intermittent, or chronic.  Acute stress hits hard and quickly - being robbed, being in a car accident, or having a sudden disagreement with a spouse.  Intermittent stress lasts over a longer period of time and "builds up" - think of studying for an important exam, then having to pay taxes, and then being put in charge of an important project.  When intermittent stressors continually occur, they can become chronic stressors.  Chronic stressors are long term and become "part of life."  Examples include continuing in a job you dislike, eating a diet low in important nutrients, caring long term for a loved one, dealing with a degenerative disease, or experiencing a never-ending stream of intermittent stressors.

If stress is short-lived (acute), the body can quickly return to normal.  However, if stress continues (as in intermittent or chronic stress), the body's stress response mechanism continues, and it may aggravate an existing health problem or trigger an illness for which you're at risk.  Various surveys estimate that stress contributes to 80 percent of major illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, mental disorders, injuries, nervous system and sensory organ diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, cancers, endocrine and metabolic diseases, skin disorders, and infectious ailments of all kinds.
 

Alarm
The first physiological stage of stress is alarm.  This is most noticeable in acute stress.  When something sudden and dramatic happens, we produce something called catecholalmines, which produce some of the familiar signs of stress - rapid heartbeat, loss of appetite, and so on.  This reaction is normal and the body rapidly returns to normal.
 

Resistance
The second physiological stage is resistance.  If the stressor is prolonged or uncontrolled, a hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).  This signals your adrenal gland to release a class of stress hormones known as corticoids, which include glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.  Each of these plays a role in stress, and examining them points to why stress is a factor in so many health problems.

Glucocorticoids - especially cortisol - raise cholesterol levels and inhibit gastric secretions while facilitating colonic movement.  This can result in peptic ulcers and the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.  In some cases glucocorticoids can inhibit insulin production, leading to the development of adult-onset diabetes.

Cortisol results in blood becoming thicker, which can result in higher blood pressure.  In the long run, this can increase the risk for stroke or heart attack.  Cortisol can also inhibit macrophages and natural killer cells, two important components of the immune system.

Mineralocorticoids, such as aldosterone, can affect how the kidneys absorb and reabsorb sodium and water, which in turn can raise blood pressure.

This resistance stage may last for days, weeks, months, or years.  Still, if the stress is resolved, your body does return to a normal state.
 

Exhaustion
The third stage of stress is exhaustion.  In this stage, the stress response mechanism has continued for too long.  The body has done all it can to fight the stress and is now exhausted.  This stage can lead to degenerative diseases.

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A Role for DHEA and Magnesium?
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Stress does affect us on a physical level.  But there is another physiological link.  Dr. C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D., one of the world's leading experts on pain management and chronic disease, believes there is a connection between stress and the mineral magnesium and the hormone precursor DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone).

In his book Sacred Healing, Dr. Shealy notes that reduced levels of DHEA are found in every known illness.  It is his belief that "the decline in DHEA is related to cumulative stress and how well individuals handle this." Dr. Shealy believes that keeping DHEA at normal levels may help eliminate many, if not all, of the health consequences related to stress. And magnesium is important as well, as magnesium is integral in the hormone pathway that creates DHEA.

Below is an excerpt of an interview with Dr. Shealy, taken from the June/July 2000 issue of Partners magazine:
 

Q: Is there any way you can raise magnesium and DHEA levels?

Dr. Shealy:
   I have experimented with this.  You can take supplements of DHEA, but this can be dangerous.  Your DHEA levels must be low.  If they are not, direct supplementation may increase certain cancers.  But if you stimulate your body to increase DHEA, you avoid this risk.  I found that natural progesterone can raise DHEA somewhat, as can certain types of acupuncture.
   As far as magnesium goes, I injected it because when you use it orally, very little is absorbed.  It can speed up transit time, but the magnesium must be in your intestinal tract for 12 hours to be absorbed.  As well, calcium, phosphorus, fat, and protein all block its absorption.  But even giving shots raised the intracellular levels very little.

Q: So there is really no good way to increase levels of these two substances?

Dr. Shealy:
   You can do it, but not too much.  But then something happened.  I met a man, Jim Carter, who told me he was helping people by having them soak in a liquid.  I was skeptical of this, but when I saw the results, I felt there had to be something behind it.  I thought perhaps that it must raise DHEA levels.

Q: Were you able to test this idea?

Dr. Shealy:
   Yes, I had some of my students use two ounces in a daily bath for three months.  They loved it!  They found new energy and a sense of well-being.  But, when I measured their DHEA levels, it was actually lower.  I have to say I was disappointed.
   But I kept using it, varying amounts, and I soon found that it did increase DHEA levels.  I believe it initially decreased them because of an initial detoxification period.

Q: So that was an "a-ha"?

Dr. Shealy:
   Yes, but I still had questions.  This liquid also seemed to provide some benefits in a wide range of problems, such as high blood pressure, and I could not understand why.  Then it hit me.  It has magnesium in it.  Everyone is low in magnesium.  Maybe the magnesium would provide results; but was the magnesium getting through?
   We did more tests and found that after four weeks, three out of four users had higher intracellular magnesium levels.  This was why virtually everybody found benefits.  Everyone is magnesium-deficient, so providing magnesium is going to help everyone.  I also believe that the magnesium acts as a catalyst to stimulate DHEA production.

Q: So soaking in this liquid restores magnesium?  Water does not penetrate the skin, so how is the magnesium getting in to the body?

Dr. Shealy:
   Now you've really hit the "a-ha."  This liquid has unique properties.  It acts like an oil, and has an oily feel, but it also mixes with water.  It appears that the molecular structure has been changed.  The only thing I can think is that this water's unique properties allow it to be absorbed through the skin and it brings the mineral with it.  It sounds odd, but my tests show that soaking in this does raise intracellular magnesium and DHEA levels.

Q: This liquid is known as AIM Cell Wellness Restorer.

Dr. Shealy:
   That's right.

Q: What implications does this have for our health?

Dr. Shealy:
   I feel we could do more for the health of the world than anything else we can imagine by raising magnesium and DHEA levels.  We all should be using the simplest, safest way of getting our intracellular magnesium to a normal range.  The simplest and most efficient way I know to do this is to use AIM Cell Wellness Restorer.

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Are You Under Stress?
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Stress Quiz

Find your level of stress.  This little test measures two components: stressors and physical signs.  Get your pencil and paper handy.

Stressors:
Answer each statement with a yes or no.  For each "yes" answer give yourself 2 points.  A "no" answer is zero points.
       0 = No         2 = Yes

 1.  I am exposed to various types of pollutions and toxins (air and water pollutions, chemicals).

 2.  I often have minor infections.

 3.  I don't get much sleep.

 4.  I have a poor diet (high in fats, sugars, and processed foods; low in fruits, vegetables, and fiber).

 5.  I don't drink eight glasses of water per day.

 6.  I am quite often anxious (about school, work, family relationships).
 

Physical Signs:
For each statement, assign one of the following numbers according to how often the statement describes you.
     0 = Never      1 = Sometimes      2 = Often      3 = Always

 1.  I feel tense or nervous.

 2.  Muscles in my neck shoulders, or other parts of my body feel stiff or tense.

 3.  I grind or clench my teeth.

 4.  I have sleep problems.

 5.  I feel restless and agitated.

 6.  I find myself clenching my fists.

 7.  I perspire more than I used to.

 8.  I have tension headaches.

 9.  I get an upset stomach from situations.

10.  I feel low energy and tiredness.

11.  I feel tense and keyed up.

12.  I have PMS.

13.  I am hungry.

14.  I have allergies.

Add all points from both the Stressors and Physical Signs sections.

Add 20 additional points if you have a chronic illness.

This is your total.

Scoring:
    0 - 3    Minimal or no stress
   4 - 15   Mild stress
  16 - 30  Moderate or acute stress
  31 - 42  Chronic stress level I
  43 - 74 Chronic stress level II

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Stress Solutions
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Acute Stress
   After a stressful incident, use the following AIM products and make the following lifestyle modifications for five to seven days.

   - AIM Cell Wellness Restorer:  Add 2 to 4 ounces to a bath or footbath and soak for 20 minutes at least 1 time per day.
     (Provides balance and support for magnesium and DHEA levels.)

   - AIM Barleygreen:  Take as directed on container.
     (Provides the beneficial nutritional effects of barley, a solid nutritional platform for health.  The antioxidants, enzymes, and amino acids in this product are potent allies in supporting a system under stress.)

   - AIM Kava Mist:  Use as necessary, up to 3 sprays at a time, 4 to 5 times per day.
     (Relieves stress and can help reduce feelings of nervousness or anxiety without making you feel groggy or sedated.  Kava kava assists the body in adapting to the effects of stress.)

   - Lifestyle:  Follow the lifestyle modifications recommended below.
    (Changing your lifestyle can eliminate or reduce stressors, relieve stress, and provide you with important nutrients.)
 

Chronic Stress
   Follow the instructions for acute stress for five to seven days.  Then modify the program as follows for as long as necessary:

   - AIM Cell Wellness Restorer:  Add 2 ounces to a bath or footbath and soak for 20 minutes at least 1 time per day.  Spray the entire body with a solution of 50 percent AIM Cell Wellness Restorer and 50 percent water, or spray or rub AIM Cell Wellness Restorer (diluted or undiluted) directly onto areas of specific concern.

   - AIM Barleygreen:  Take as directed on container.

   - AIM Kava Mist:  Use as necessary, up to 2 to 3 sprays at a time, 2 to 3 times per day.

   - Lifestyle:  Follow the lifestyle modifications recommended below.

   - Special concerns for women:  Women dealing with PMS, menopause, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome may use AIM Renewed Balance or AIM RevitaFem (as directed) with the chronic stress program.
 

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS
   While following either the acute or chronic stress program, incorporate the following lifestyle recommendations.  They are also beneficial as general guidelines for good health.

Diet
   Poor eating habits contribute to chronic stress overload.  Work to establish a regular eating pattern with a meal or a healthy snack built into your daily routine every two to three hours.  Key dietary recommendations include:
   - eliminating caffeine intake.
   - eliminating alcohol intake.
   - eliminating refined carbohydrates (simple sugars and starches).
   - eating regular, planned meals (and snacks) in a relaxed environment.
(For more dietary recommendations, see the article on "Care and Feeding of the Human Body" in last month's Your Healthy Perspective.  You may view it online at http://www.healthyperspective.com/yhparchive0101.html.)

Stress Management Techniques
  Practice relaxation techniques for at least 10 to 20 minutes per day [prayer and Bible reading are highly recommended!].  Deep breathing exercises help activate the release of positive chemicals in the brain and adrenal glands, offsetting the effects of stress.

Exercise
   Exercise helps relieve stress.  Any form of moderate exercise from walking to swimming to aerobics to jogging provides this support.  [A personal note - Kimberly and Nicole are presently unable to exercise because of health problems.  But they are doing gentle stretching, as directed by their doctors.  Do as you are able, and please consult your physician with any concerns.]

Rest/Sleep
   Chronic stress can actually lead to poor sleep and even insomnia, which can further deplete the body.  Build a positive sleep routine into your daily schedule to ensure that you give your body the necessary time for rest and repair.

This information has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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SPECIAL DISCOUNTS FOR YOUR HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE READERS
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We hope this special "Stress" edition helped you understand, get a better handle on, and find some solutions to your personal stress.  Since we know spending money can also be stressful, we would like to offer you a discount on all the AIM products mentioned in this newsletter.  These AIM products are:
-Cell Wellness Restorer
-KavaMist
-Barleygreen
-Renewed Balance
-RevitaFem (Cycle I for PMS, or Cycle II for menopausal symptoms)

Through the end of March, you will receive a $5.00 savings off the retail price of any of the above items.  Additionally, there will be FREE SHIPPING on all AIM orders.  To take advantage of this special savings, go to http://www.healthyperspective.com/order.html.  When you place your order, type "FEB YHP" in the "comments" section of the online order form.  You will receive your discount at the time your credit card is processed (the savings will not show up on your initial e-mail Order Confirmation, but an amended Order Confirmation will be sent to you via e-mail).

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We find Psalm 91 to be particularly soothing during stressful times.  Until next time...

God bless you,
-Rev. Clarence Russell, Kimberly and Nicole
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The material in this file is provided for informational purposes only. We do not prescribe nor diagnose. If you use the information in this file without the approval of a health professional, you prescribe for yourself, which remains your constitutional right, but the author(s) assume no responsibility.
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Copyright (c) 2000, 2001 by Clarence Russell . All rights reserved. As long as this file is left intact, permission is granted for use on web sites or in newsgroups or mailing lists.