Do THIS and Watch Stress Melt Away
By
Natalie Moore
Posted May 3, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
There’s no doubt about it — stress is a killer.
And when left unchecked, it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and even diabetes.
Fortunately, some researchers from the University of Georgia recently discovered two miracle plant compounds that can help shield your body from the devastating effects of stress.
They attack stress right at the source – and may end up boosting your brain and vision in the bargain.
I’m talking about lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful nutrients found in leafy greens and other veggies.
For years, scientists have been studying them, because they can help protect your eyes from age-related macular degeneration and help keep your memory in tiptop shape.
More recently, scientists looked at how they can help quell your stress.
For the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, researchers split up a group of participants. Half took lutein and zeaxanthin supplements, and the other half took a placebo.
Before the trial and at six and 12 months after starting the supplements, all participants had their blood cortisol levels measured as well as psychological stress and mood ratings.
Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone,” and it’s been linked to lots of the health problems associated with stress.
After six months, the lutein and zeaxanthin supplements significantly decreased cortisol levels, and improved patients moods and psychological stress ratings.
Even better, after 12 months, the results either maintained or improved.
Experts believe these two nutrients are so powerful because they’re antioxidants, which can hunt down free radicals and fight oxidative stress — two key drivers of all disease.
In this study, participants took a 10mg of lutein and 2mg of zeaxanthin.
It would be challenging to get doses this high from your diet.
So your best bet would be lutein and zeaxanthin supplements, which you can pick up at your local pharmacy.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior
[2] Lutein and zeaxanthin isomers demonstrates improved psychological stress levels
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Is Your Diet ACTUALLY Healthy? Here’s How to Tell
I’ve probably uttered the phrase “healthy diet” when talking to patients, family, and friends more times than I’ve had cups of coffee—and that’s saying something! But I’ll admit it’s not always entirely clear what a healthy diet looks like. What does healthy eating really mean? Let’s take a look… Good news—healthy eating doesn’t mean you...
7 Natural Ways to Tackle Pain Without Pills
On Tuesday, we explored a promising new frontier in pain relief: terpenes, natural compounds found in cannabis (and other plants) that may ease pain without the risks of opioids. That research is still developing. But what if you’re looking for help right now? Good news: You don’t have to wait for a pharmaceutical breakthrough to...
Mailbag: Pinched to Pain Free with Natural Sciatica Solutions
“I have been suffering from sciatic pain in my hip and groin. I try to do exercises to stretch it. But ever since I slipped on the ice and fell on my left hip it seems to be getting worse. Is there any help for this?” -Painfully Pinched Dear Pinched, I understand how frustrating sciatic...
New Cannabis Discovery Could Ease Pain—Without the High
A few years ago, everywhere you turned, someone was talking about CBD. The cannabis extract had exploded in popularity for everything from anxiety to inflammation to joint pain. And while the CBD conversation continues, another cannabis compound is quietly making headlines. One that could—believe it or not—provide relief from all kinds of pain. Without the...
"Sinful Trio" SLASHES Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Are you tired of hearing your doctor’s endless “don’t eat this, don’t drink that” lectures? Well, this Easter Sunday, I’ve got news that might just have you hopping happily to your pantry. Turns out, some of life’s tastiest pleasures could help protect you from one of today’s most common health threats—metabolic syndrome. Let’s dig into...
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....