The Facts About Stress
When we are stressed for prolonged periods of time, we release cortisol instead of adrenaline. Cortisol releases fats and sugars in to the blood to be used by the muscles. If we are not increasing our physical activity at the same time, we do not burn off the excess cortisol, fats and sugars and then insulin is released to promote the uptake of glucose in to the muscles, but it also plays a role in increasing fat storage, as visceral fat (that fat you get around your middle). In times of stress it is important to modulate the release of excess cortisol with herbs and alkalizing to keep the blood sugar stable. Herbs such as Withania, American Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, Phellodendron and Magnolia can help.
