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December supplements of the month in Annapolis MD

Two of our supplements, CortiCalm and Adapto Max, are formulated to support healthy cortisol levels. In the body, stress causes an increase in cortisol, aka the “stress hormone,” secreted by the adrenal glands. In a healthy, stress-free person, cortisol should be highest in the morning and then gradually become lower as the day progresses. Chronic stress, however, results in abnormal cortisol fluctuations, resulting in fatigue or sleep difficulties. High cortisol can also lead to increased blood sugar, weight gain, inflammation, digestive issues, increased risk of heart disease, and reduced immune response.

CortiCalm, just as the name suggests, is designed to support the body’s stress response by promoting healthy cortisol levels. CortiCalm contains a combination of herbs that have been shown to support the body’s resilience by regulating various physiological processes. One of the key ingredients is a proprietary blend of plant extracts and herbs that have been used in Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries to promote a balanced stress response, and to treat other conditions like headache, inflammation, and bloating. Other herbs included are L-theanine and ashwagandha, both of which have been clinically proven to produce stress-reducing benefits, enhance mental alertness, and improve sleep quality.

Adapto Max is another supplement we often recommend to patients experiencing adrenal stress, or those with imbalanced cortisol levels. Over time, chronically high cortisol can eventually become too low, which can cause fatigue, low blood pressure, salt cravings, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and mood changes. Here at Living Health Integrative Medicine, we provide in-depth testing for our patients to determine cortisol levels to promote optimal health. Whether cortisol is too low or too high, we recommend Adapto Max. This supplement contains adaptogenic herbs which means they aid the body in adapting to stress, by interacting with the body’s stress response system and regulating cortisol levels. Adaptogens like Panax ginseng, ashwagandha, and rhodiola support the body's ability to maintain balance by modulating cortisol levels up or down depending on the body's current state.

Our third supplement of the month, NeuroCalm, supports calmness and relaxation via brain health supportive ingredients including magnesium and GABA. It comes in a tasty cherry-flavored, stevia-sweetened powder form that dissolves in water to be taken at bedtime. Magnesium is required for over 300 metabolic processes in the body, including energy production, nerve and muscle function, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium regulates neurotransmitters like serotonin (aka the “happy neurotransmitter”) and it helps relax muscles, producing a calming effect. In the body, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, aka the “calming neurotransmitter”) functions to inhibit nerve cells, necessary to prevent overstimulation and maintain homeostasis, or balance, in the body. These ingredients, along with other key amino acids, work together to nurture the body with a healthy stress response and quality sleep.

Embrace the joy of the holiday season by prioritizing your well-being. Our December supplements-of-the-month offer a helping hand in managing stress and ensuring restful nights, empowering you to savor every moment of this festive time with renewed energy and calmness.

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References

Anghelescu, I. G., Edwards, D., Seifritz, E., & Kasper, S. (2018). Stress management and the role of Rhodiola rosea: a review. International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice, 22(4), 242–252. https://doi.org/10.1080/13651501.2017.1417442

Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.106022

Cheah, K. L., Norhayati, M. N., Husniati Yaacob, L., & Abdul Rahman, R. (2021). Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 16(9), e0257843. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257843

Hidese, S., Ogawa, S., Ota, M., Ishida, I., Yasukawa, Z., Ozeki, M., & Kunugi, H. (2019). Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(10), 2362. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102362

Speers, A. B., Cabey, K. A., Soumyanath, A., & Wright, K. M. (2021). Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress- Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia. Current neuropharmacology, 19(9), 1468–1495. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556

Williams, J. L., Everett, J. M., D'Cunha, N. M., Sergi, D., Georgousopoulou, E. N., Keegan, R. J., McKune, A. J., Mellor, D. D., Anstice, N., & Naumovski, N. (2020). The Effects of Green Tea Amino Acid L-Theanine Consumption on the Ability to Manage Stress and Anxiety Levels: a Systematic Review. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands), 75(1), 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-019-00771-5

Xie, W., Meng, X., Zhai, Y., Zhou, P., Ye, T., Wang, Z., Sun, G., & Sun, X. (2018). Panax Notoginseng Saponins: A Review of Its Mechanisms of Antidepressant or Anxiolytic Effects and Network Analysis on Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 23(4), 940. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040940