Stress Affecting Your Health?

Most doctors don’t ask about stress.

Because they don’t have any way to “treat” it.

While we also don’t “treat” stress as a disease, we have a deep functional medicine toolkit to help your body become more resilient to stress.

If you suspect stress might be affecting your health—but aren’t sure where to start—here are some questions you could ask your practitioner👇

(Hint: you’ll get more helpful answers from a holistically minded practitioner 😉)

1️⃣ Do I need stress hormone testing?

Stress can disrupt cortisol and DHEA, leaving you feeling wired but tired, exhausted, or constantly on edge. Testing these hormones can show if you need extra support.

2️⃣ Could stress be affecting my gut?

The gut-brain connection is a two-way street. Stress can disrupt digestion, and poor gut health can make you less resilient to stress. Functional testing can uncover whether your gut needs targeted support.

3️⃣ What nutrients do I need when I’m stressed?

Stress burns through key nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C, which can lead to brain fog, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. A practitioner trained in nutrition can help you figure out what your body needs.

4️⃣ Could stress be affecting my hormones?

Stress hormones interact with other hormonal systems and can worsen issues like PMS, cycle changes, mood swings, and blood sugar swings. A practitioner trained in functional medicine can help make sense of the bigger picture.

The point is:

Stress is not an isolated experience.

It affects your whole body.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach that looks at the WHOLE person, that’s what we do.

Schedule your first visit with Dr. Cantrell to begin your journey to wellness! 🌿

Stressed!? What Your Body May Be Craving:

When you’re feeling extra stressed, your body is working overtime to keep up.

That means a higher demand for nutrients, like:

✨Magnesium

We need magnesium for sleep, relaxation, and muscle recovery. But the more stressed you are, the more magnesium you burn through 🔄making you feel even more stressed.

✨B Vitamins

We need B vitamins for energy, brain function, and the production of stress hormones. Some studies show that supplementing with B vitamins can actually help people feel less stressed.

✨Vitamin C

Your adrenal glands release vitamin C along with stress hormones—and stress increases your demand for it. Since humans can’t make vitamin C, we have to consume it.

Here are some ways to nourish your body when stressed:

✔ Eat nutrient-dense foods

✔ Consider high-quality supplements for extra support

✔ Try adaptogenic herbs, like ashwagandha or rhodiola, to support your stress response

Nutrients are just one piece of the stress puzzle—and no, a handful of supplements won’t make stress disappear.

But they may help your body respond better.

Needing supplement guidance? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cantrell to discuss the best options for YOU!

Myths You May Have Heard About Stress

Myths & Facts about Stress 👇

📍Myth 1: You just have to shift your mindset.

Stress is not just in your head—it’s in your body and nervous system. While mindset shifts can help, they will only stick if your body feels safe. Stress resilience comes with nourishing foods, breathwork, movement, and deep rest.

📍Myth 2: Intense exercise helps burn off stress.

Movement is amazing for releasing stress—just don’t overdo it. Intense workouts can worsen exhaustion from stress, especially if you’re already running on empty.

📍Myth 3: Coffee helps you power through stress.

Not everyone handles caffeine the same way. Too much can overstimulate your stress response and lead to burnout. If you’re relying on coffee to push through exhaustion, your body may be asking for real rest instead.

📍Myth 4: If you’re not anxious, you’re not stressed.

Stress can show up in all kinds of sneaky ways: things like low energy, brain fog, trouble concentrating, headaches, or digestive upset. Your mind is not necessarily the first place you’ll feel it.

📍Myth 5: Stress is always bad.

Stress is never fun, but it can be a driving force for personal growth and a motivation to take action on things you may otherwise ignore. Stressing that stress is bad will only make it worse.

🤔 Did you know that April is Stress Awareness Month?

Watch my posts for more on ways functional medicine can address stress.

And let me know in the comments:

Which of these myths have you been sucked into? ⤵️

#drelizabethcantrell #naturalmedicine #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine #functionalmedicine #functionalmedicinetesting #stressresilience #stresssupport #stressrelief #colga #columbusga

Let's Talk About Fiber!

Why is it that some people are more susceptible to infections or “food poisoning” than others?

A new study says it comes down to the gut microbiome—and how much fiber we eat!

This study is especially fascinating because it flips some old beliefs on their head.

Here’s what’s new:

1️⃣ Eating more fiber is probably more effective than taking probiotics.

Researchers found that the key to protecting against harmful bacteria like E.coli is eating more fiber to feed good bacteria. This boosts the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which create a healthier gut environment.

2️⃣ Trying to “starve out” harmful bacteria may be an outdated approach.

It used to be thought that good bacteria could crowd out harmful bugs by competing for nutrients. But this study found that’s not the case. The real solution is promoting SCFAs, which make the gut less hospitable to harmful microbes.

It’s tempting to think a pill (even a probiotic) is always the answer, but most of the time, it comes back to the basics.

Eating fiber-rich foods creates a healthy gut that is less susceptible to infections.

Want some simple ways to boost your fiber intake?

🥦 Add veggies to every meal.

🍓 Snack on fruits like berries.

🍞 Choose whole grains over refined ones.

What’s your favorite high-fiber food? Let us know in the comments 😋

Surprising Benefit from Elderberry!

🔥 Looking for natural boosts for your metabolism?

We usually think about elderberry 🫐 for immune support during the cold and flu season, but a new study shows it may also benefit metabolic health.

After drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week, participants experienced:

1️⃣ Improved gut health

Elderberry juice increased beneficial gut bacteria and decreased harmful ones. A healthy gut microbiome is closely linked to better metabolic health.

2️⃣ Better blood sugar control:

Participants had a 24% decrease in blood glucose levels and a 9% decrease in insulin levels, showing improved sugar metabolism.

3️⃣ Enhanced fat burning:

Elderberry juice improved the body’s ability to oxidize fat, especially after carb-heavy meals and during exercise.

What makes elderberries so great?

Anthocyanins ✨

Anthocyanins are phytonutrients (plant compounds) with powerful antioxidant and health-promoting properties, and elderberries contain them in much higher concentrations than most other berries.

It’s all about nutrient density.

As with all supplements, it’s essential to consult a practitioner who can evaluate your unique situation. Even natural options like elderberry juice may not be right for everyone.

👉🏽 Looking for tailored support for metabolic health?

We specialize in personalized care, helping you understand what works for your unique body and goals.

Get started with your personalized health plan by scheduling your first visit today! 💜