Stress has always been an unavoidable part of life. Whether positive or negative, stress is the body’s reaction to a situation that requires a physical, mental, or emotional adjustment or response. The human body is designed to react to occasional moments of stress by releasing epinephrine (a hormone and neurotransmitter known as adrenaline) and cortisol (a corticosteroid hormone) to help you spring into action and conquer the situation at hand. When the source of stress has passed, adrenaline quickly returns to normal levels. However, unless you take time to rest and recover after a stressful event, cortisol levels tend to remain elevated.
Unfortunately, stress has become chronic in today’s world. For many people, constant and unrelenting stress is the norm rather than the exception. The ever-increasing demands that come with managing our personal lives, family lives, and careers bombard us with seemingly endless “to-do” lists. Even when our grueling tasks are complete, worries about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the rising unemployment rate, the economy, and our personal financial security are ever present, causing subtle but profound stress. When chronic stress continually forces the adrenal glands to maintain elevated cortisol levels, a cycle of cause and effect of mental, emotional, and physical health problems ensues.
Without relaxation to counteract the body’s chemical response to stress, periods of illness are inevitable. Numerous emotional and physical health conditions have been linked to stress, including weight gain, depression, anxiety, heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and immune system disorders. Stress affects the skin (rashes, hives, and dermatitis), the gastrointestinal system (GERD, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis), and contributes to degenerative neurological disorders. Not only does stress aggravate any existing health condition, but a growing body of research shows that it may actually be the root cause.
Stress and the immune system
Long-term stress weakens the immune system and prevents the proliferation of disease-fighting killer cells. When chronically stressed, immune cells literally bathe themselves in molecules that essentially tell them to stop fighting. You see, the brain and the immune system are intimately linked and are able to communicate with each other. When cortisol levels remain elevated, the brain sends a message that the immune response is no longer needed, causing it to shut down. Therefore, in situations of chronic stress, your immune system is less able to respond to bacterial or viral infections and disease in general.
Stress management
Learning how to reduce and manage stress in your life is essential and starts with identifying your stressors and observing your mental and physical reactions to them. How you react to stressful situations is determined by how you perceive them. Changing your thoughts and perceptions can change a life of stress and discomfort to one of challenge and excitement. Simply focusing on your successes and accomplishments can empower you with the confidence you need to handle and get through stressful times with more grace.
Stress management techniques can activate your body’s relaxation response, creating a state of calm and relaxation. These include meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, listening to relaxing music, journaling, and positive imagery. Moderate exercise and dietary improvements are also helpful. Stress depletes your body of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, so be sure to eat fresh vegetables, complex carbohydrates, whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, and protein. While chronic stress often leads to insomnia, getting enough sleep is one of the most important steps in relieving the damaging effects of elevated cortisol levels in the body.
Stress and hormonal health in women
Women, with their inherent tendency to take care of others while neglecting their own needs, are especially prone to the damaging effects of stress. They are particularly vulnerable during perimenopause and menopause when hormonal changes have already begun to affect the adrenal glands, a complex part of the endocrine system. Most women who experience the uncomfortable emotional and physical symptoms of “change” have previously experienced times of prolonged emotional and/or physical stress. Progesterone, a calming hormone, helps ease your stress response. Unfortunately, most women are severely lacking in progesterone.
Cortisol literally “steals” progesterone from the adrenal glands. If your adrenal glands continually release cortisol into your bloodstream, your body will take available progesterone and divert it to meet that demand. Because cortisol and progesterone compete for common receptors on cells, cortisol affects the activity of progesterone and also interferes with the action of other important female hormones. Cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen are made from progesterone. If cortisol diverts too much progesterone, there is not enough to produce the testosterone needed for a woman’s sexual response, etc. creating a domino effect of bothersome symptoms.
Progesterone is essential for hormonal balance, but is increasingly deficient in women of all ages. Progesterone is the only hormone that converts to other vital hormones as needed to create a balancing effect throughout the endocrine system. It reduces the risk of osteoporosis, converts fat into energy, metabolizes glucose, and performs many other vital cellular functions. Common symptoms of insufficient progesterone levels include inability to cope with stress, depression, weight gain, insomnia, low libido, heavy and prolonged menstrual cycles, compromised thyroid and adrenal function, and a number of conditions potentially serious health problems.
Progesterone Options
Natural progesterone is identical to the human progesterone molecule made by your body. Although its name sounds similar, progesterone is quite different from the progestin found in prescription drugs such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), birth control pills, and other pharmaceutical hormonal drugs. Unlike these risk-laden synthetic chemicals, natural progesterone boasts many positive health benefits and remains free of side effects. It is essential to use a progesterone cream that does not contain any endocrine disrupting chemicals or additives.
Organic Excellence Progesterone Cream
According to world-renowned Dr. John Lee, the most effective method of restoring progesterone levels is with proper transdermal (topical) natural progesterone supplementation. Organic Excellence Progesterone Creams are formulated to the specifications outlined in Dr. Lee’s best-selling book, “What Your Doctor Can’t Tell You About Menopause” and contain approximately 500 mg. of USP Natural Progesterone per ounce.
Recommended by many doctors, Organic Excellence Progesterone Cream is a safe and effective way to promote hormonal balance. It nourishes the adrenal glands and the entire endocrine system and has a very calming effect on the nervous system. Organic Excellence is the only company that formulates its natural progesterone creams in a 100% chemical-free base and certified organic herbs. Free of animal products, genetically modified ingredients, artificial fragrances and colors, Organic Excellence never uses animal testing.
Whether you’re experiencing the effects of chronic stress, PMS, perimenopause, or menopause, Organic Excellence has two natural progesterone creams designed to meet your specific needs. One without phytoestrogens (for PMS and/or perimenopause) and one with phytoestrogens (for those in menopause and beyond). Each is available in 2 oz. the jar of gold holds 3 oz. dosing pump. Most women notice a positive result soon after starting Organic Excellence Progesterone Cream.
Cream for Men and Natural Progesterone
Men also benefit from natural progesterone cream. As with women, the male body produces less progesterone with age. This creates an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone resulting in too much estrogen. An increase in estrogen levels is linked to prostate cancer, which is becoming more prevalent among men over the age of 50. Studies indicate that regular application of progesterone cream has shown a decrease in the level of prostate-specific antigen in men and stops the progress of lesions related to this disease.
Yes, stress is and always will be an unavoidable part of life. But, by using Organic Excellence Progesterone Cream, a healthy diet, moderate exercise, and simple stress management techniques, you can easily avoid the body’s harsh chemical reaction to stress, restore your frayed nerves, and enjoy calm and balance in his life once again.
