Diet Cure for Stress - Home remedies, symptom, cause, treatment of Stress

What is Stress?

The term stress has been borrowed by biology from engineering, where it implies an ability to withstand a defined amount of strain. Dr. Hans Selye, a great medical genius and noted world authority on stress has described stress as" a state manifested by a specific syndrome which consists of all the non-specifically induced changes within a biological system."

The term implies any condition that harms the body or damages or causes the death of a few or many cells. The body immediately tries to repair the damaged cells but it can do so only if the diet is adequate, providing a generous supply of all the essential nutrients. If, however, rebuilding of cells is not able to keep pace with their destruction, the condition will result in disease. The most common diseases associated with stress are heart disease, diabetes, headache and peptic ulcer. Other diseases resulting from stress are ulcerative colitis, chronic dyspepsia, asthma, psoriasis and sexual disorders.

What are the symptom of Stress?

The body and the mind react to any stress factor. A large number of physical changes take place at the time of stress-induced arousal. The brain and nervous system becomes intensely active, the pupils of the eye dilate, digestion slows down,muscles become tense, the heart starts pumping blood harder and faster, blood pressure increases, breathing becomes faster, hormones such as adrenalie are released into the system along with glucose from the liver and sweating starts. All these changes take place in a split second under the direction of the nervous system. If the stress factors are immediately removed all the changes are reversed.

What are the causes of Stress?

Stress may be caused by a variety of factors both outside the body and within. External factors include loud noises, blinding lights, extreme heat or cold, X-rays and other forms of radiation, drugs, chemical, bacterial and various toxic substances, pain and inadequate nutrition. The factors from within the body include hate, envy, fear or jealousy.

Dietary Treatment of Stress and home remedies

In dealing with stress, the life style of the patient needs a complete overhaul,. He should be placed on an optimum diet and be encouraged to take regular exercise and adequate rest. If this is done, many diseases caused by stress can be eliminated.

Diet plays an important role in the prevention and healing of stress-induced diseases. Certain foods associated with stress and anxiety should be scrupulously avoided. These foods are caffeine in coffee and many soft drinks, which causes nervousness, irritability and palpitation, ; cigarettes which causes tension, irritability and sleeplessness and which have been linked with cancer and alcohol which depletes vitamins of the B group considered essential for reducing stress.

Certain nutrients are beneficial in relieving stress. These are vitamins A and B, minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium which reduce the feeling of irritability and anxiety. Vitamin A is found in green and yellow vegetables. Some of the valuable sources of vitamin B are cashews, green leafy vegetables, yeast, sprouts and bananas.

Regular physical exercise plays an important role in the fight against stress. Exercise not only keeps the body physically and mentally fit, it also provides recreation and mental relaxation. Recreation and rest are also important. The patient should get a definite time for recreation activities. He should take a holiday at regular intervals. And above all, he should simplify his style of living to eliminate unnecessary stresses.