Improving Vigor (Maintaining Metabolic Balance)

Over the past 6 years, our group has conducted a series of human clinical studies (LINK TO http://www.XANGO.com/science/eleviv-clinical-results) in “stressed” volunteers, as short as 1-week and as long as 12 weeks, where we have been able to significantly improve Vigor by 25-30% (following a maintenance of metabolic balance). This means that although chronic stress disrupts metabolic balance, we now know that maintaining metabolic balance helps to improve feelings of Vigor quickly (within 1 week) and that those changes persist for months thereafter – indicating a unique and lasting improvement in overall well-being that is far superior to the fleeting and temporary effects of energy drinks and related products.

Typically, we will see very rapid improvements in indices of mental energy when the balance of neurotransmitters is maintained (which tend to respond faster to metabolic interventions) – followed soon thereafter by improvements in physical energy as hormone balance is maintained (which takes longer depending on the degree and duration of stress that the individual has been exposed to).

I feel very strongly—in fact, I am certain—that once you understand the relationship between modern stressors, your metabolic balance, and its effects on your long-term health, you will be motivated to do something about keeping your metabolism in balance. The bottom line is that living in the twenty-first century brings with it a certain amount of unavoidable stress—and with that stress comes a certain degree of disrupted metabolism. It is how we deal with that stress and what we do to control those hormone levels that can make all the difference when it comes to our long-term health and how we feel on a daily basis.

Shawn M Talbott, Ph.D. is the author of “Vigor – 7 Days to Unlimited Energy, Focus, and Well-Being” (www.VigorBook.com)

I hate to sound like a Scrooge (because I truly love the Holiday Season), but it’s interesting to note that when New Year Day rolls around, “reduce my stress levels” is second only to “lose some weight” among the most popular New Year resolutions. This is encouraging, not only because stress is associated with a higher risk for many diseases, but also because of the many very effective, very easy-to-follow strategies that can help control stress.

The link between stress and disease is partly due to the fact that stress generally encourages us to eat more and exercise less – which is exactly the opposite of what we should be doing when we’re under stress. It also appears that these higher stress levels also cause a direct change in the body’s metabolic machinery – so brain cells shrink, immune cells shutoff, and both mood and energy levels plummet. Think about it – this means that holiday stress is making us feel moody, fatigued, bloated, confused, irritable, and sick – not exactly the type of “holiday cheer” you’re probably looking for in your stocking…

A key culprit in these metabolic changes appears to be an imbalance between body’s primary stress hormone (cortisol) and its primary anabolic (building) hormone, testosterone. Cortisol is one of the hormones involved in the body’s “Fight or Flight” reaction to stress – so in this way cortisol is a “good” thing. But prolonged exposure to cortisol, such as those that we’ll all experience during this holiday season, are most certainly a “bad thing” because of the growing link between cortisol and health problems. Even worse than simply being exposed to elevated cortisol, however, is having an imbalance between cortisol (too much) and testosterone (too little) – because that imbalance appears to be at the heart of the epidemic of depression and fatigue that we see (in men and women) across all parts of our modern society.

So how do we deal with this? There are many ways to reduce stress, but remember that strategic supplementation is a positive step towards healthy metabolic balance – which can also lead to better mood and less fatigue. In one particular clinical study that I conducted over the Holidays and presented at the peer-reviewed American College of Sports Medicine Scientific Conference, people who started the Holiday Season being “Tired, Stressed, and Depressed” – were able to significantly improve their feelings of well-being (+20%), mood (+40%), energy (+41%), and mental focus (+14%) by maintaining normal metabolic balance. So keep up with your supplementation regimen and enjoy the rest of the Holiday Season!

With the stock market still down and consumer confidence at its lowest level in more than a decade, this Holiday Season is shaping up to be one of the most stressful in recent memory. Stress, as we all know, can come from a variety of sources – and at this time of year, turkey with the in-laws, hanging Christmas lights, and opening your post-holiday Visa bill are just some of the many sources of our escalating stress levels.

Survey findings show that added holiday stress, on top of already high stress levels associated with work and the economy, makes it hard to relax. Cited as “multiple stressors” in the APA research are lack of time (up to 69%), lack of money (up to 69%), and pressure to give or get gifts (up to 51%). In addition, men and women who experience elevated levels of stress, rate their psychological and physical health lower than those who are not experiencing stress – and are more likely to experience a range of health ailments and symptoms such as sadness (59%), sleep problems (56%), and lack of energy (55%).

To help yourself enjoy the Holiday Season and keep yourself (and your loved ones) from becoming part of these dismal holiday stress statistics, remember the 5 steps I shared in an earlier blog:

1. Have an outlet (a hobby or something you enjoy)
2. Control your “stressors”
3. Hang out with your friends
4. Focus on the positives
5. Supplement strategically to help maintain your metabolic balance, improve mood, and reduce fatigue

Well, here we are again – Halloween is a fading memory and Thanksgiving and the rest of the Holiday season is upon us. It used to be that the so-called “holiday season” didn’t start until close to the actual holidays – but now it seems to start even before the pumpkins are off your front porch!

During the holiday season, research surveys routinely show that more than HALF of us feel overwhelmed by the stress of Thanksgiving or Christmas or Hanukkah – meaning that all this holiday-cheer causes us as much stress as do dentist visits and speeding tickets!

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), more than half of all women (51%) and men (43%) in the United States experience heightened stress during the holidays – enough stress to put them at increased risk for physical and mental health effects. Juggling work and added family responsibilities, such as planning for holiday gatherings, shopping for gifts and cooking, leave many of us feeling like we can’t take time to relax while we’re struggling to get everything done for the holidays.
Luckily, we have a lot of options for controlling stress. Stress management, regular exercise, and a balanced diet can all help to control the stress response and keep metabolic balance right where it should be – but, what else can you do to help maintain metabolic balance during the Holiday Season? Here are my “Top 5” ways to resist the detrimental health effects of stress:

1. Have an “outlet” (a hobby or some diversion outside of work)…
2. Do whatever you can to make the sources of your stress more “predictable” or learn to develop more “control” over those stressors – this means to identify patterns related to when your stressors might appear…
3. Hang out with friends (avoid social isolation) – tough times are always easier when you’re around other people – and the Holidays are the perfect time to get together with family and friends…
4. Learn to tell the difference between “big” issues and “little” issues… and learn to “look on the bright side” (really) – as simplistic as it sounds, the fact that you can look to “what is improving” in a given situation can help to psychologically buffer the stress in others areas of your life…
5. Supplement Strategically – research shows that Eleviv™ can help maintain metabolic balance, improve mood, and reduce fatigue levels.

In bringing this balance into our Holiday Seasons, we’re better able to resist the detrimental health effects of stress and less likely to suffer the “Bah-Humbugs” that so many of us succumb to each year. By maintaining metabolic balance during the most stressful time of year, we’ll all be happier and healthier in the New Year. Happy Holidays!