Stress - Adaptogen Strategy

By *  Dr Van Snick - Brussels

What do we call plants or adaptogens substances ? 

The plants or adaptogens substances help to strengthen the body, to adapt to "STRESS", and to cure the disorders caused by this one.

The definition of the stress is taken in the broad sense as a neurophysiological reaction in front of a too pressing situation and neurotic lived as without solution.

These substances help the body to maintain the health by adapting itself to the environment and to the internal stress, by strengthening the immune system, the nervous system, and glandular system.

" The adaptogen is a pharmacological substance capable of inducing, in a body, a state of nonspecific increased resistance, allowing to counterbalance the signals of stress and to adapt itself to an exceptional effort" 

Lazarev 1957.

"  The adaptogens has to strengthen the non-specific power and the resistance against the stressors agents, to increase the general capacity to face the situations of stress and thus exercise a some form of protection against the diseases resulting to the stress "

Wagner 1994.

The main features are safety and non-toxicity, they do not create disorder in the physiological functions of the body.

The action is non-specific, it is not intended for specific diseases but rather to increase the overall resistance of the body in front of external or internal disturbances, face of adverse conditions of chemical, physical, biological nature.

This action is normalizing, it brings back the physical activities to normal, no matter the nature of the disorder, it normalizes physical functioning according to the needs of the individual.

It allows the body to change according to the conditions of existence to improve the functioning while spending the minimum of energy. It strengthens the resistance in front of negative influences without causing disorder in the physiological functions of the body.

The adaptogenic plants are neither tonic nor sedative, they act by allowing the individual to resist longer in a stressful situation.

They are thus indicated in period of examination, professional overwork, in infectious convalescence.

The Stress 

Is defined as the attacks that can undergo a body, whether physical, mental or sensory factors such as trauma, surgical shock, heat shock, an infectious disease, an emotion, a humiliation, a sudden placement in a nursing home, death, overwork, a lay-off and the responses of the body to the aggression, ie all visceral or metabolic phenomena they can cause.

This response is stereotyped, it triggers every time the same adaptation mechanisms in the brain and takes the same ways; the biological response is always the same, except that the brain is able to distinguish whether a situation is stressful or not based on its previous programs.

The stress have a negative connotation in the public eye. Nevertheless, it is necessary for human survival. Stress is a state of balance in a dynamic system.

Similar to the bicycle which stands if you pedal, the "free wheel" can only work a short time. The inclination of the slope to face belongs to everyone. Some are able to ride more or less hardly (Dr Sporcq )

The work is one of the most common causes of stress. You can compare the work to a shoe and the worker to a foot : if the shoe is new, an adjustment period is normal and necessary. If the footwear is worn, it may be time to change to maintain a positive stress. Unfortunately, there are shoes that will never fit to your foot.

The most common symptoms of stress are the fatigue, memory problems, anxiety, nervousness, irritability, sleep disorders, sexual disorders, gynecological problems, delay or interruption of menstruation, impotence, decreased fertility.

Some digestive disorders are common, the mouth is dry, there are spasms of the esophagus, ulcers. Some cardiovascular disorders are often noted as well as skin disorders. Often the immune system decline.

The excessive secretion of cortisol decreases the production of T lymphocytes (thymus atrophy), inhibits the production of interleukin 1 (lymphocyte activation) and 2 (T cell proliferation activated by Ag) and interferon (produced by a activated T lymphocytes).

The interferon increases the Fc receptor on macrophages, which then leads to their activation and increases their natural killer activity.

The cortisol therefore reduces the cytolytic activity of natural killer cells, the NK natural killer cells that rid the body from foreign cells and cancer cells.

Biologically 

The fundamental role is played by glucocorticoids and hippocampal pyramidal cells.

The stress causes a significant elevation of the blood levels of cortisol.                

The neurons that secrete CRH (Corticotrofin Releasing Hormone) and locus coeruleus, which activates the adrenergic system are the mainspring of adaptive responses to stress.

Two ways are involved in stress response.  

First, faced with the threat, the nervous system is stimulated, the attention, alertness and aggressiveness are increased, while the watchkeeping functions, food, ... are reduced.

The second pathway involves activation of glucocorticoid (adrenal cortex) with the consequences, the redirecting of blood flow to the central nervous system and the mobilization of a direct energy, the freination of the immune defenses and the binding of glucocorticoids in the receptors of the hippocampus with biofeedback negative effect preventing central nervous system effector to operate and ending the stress response.

Until then, it is a physiological response. 

Unfortunately the repeated elevations of cortisol (frequent stress and significant) results in saturation and depletion of receptors in the hippocampus causing a runaway system. The survival of hippocampus neurons, of pyramidal cells is threatened. This lack of control leads to a high hypercortisolemia in more than 50% of people under stress or depressed.

The hippocampus is a real computer which compares the present information with past experiences imprinted in our brain. Any damage to the hippocampus has for consequences a depression, the alteration of the essential functions of adaptation.

The experimental induction of neoplasms, infections and autoimmune diseases is one of variables most studied in psychoneuroimmunology.

The individual factors influence the receptiveness and the response to stress.

Adaptation 

The body tries to change depending on the conditions of existence to improve the functioning, while spending as little energy. This enables it to withstand the pathophysiological consequences that result, to some extent.

The general adaptation syndrome consists of 3 phases :

• An alarm reaction 

The body surprised by the aggression is shocked. There is production of catecholamines, the rhythm of the heart increases, the cutaneous and visceral blood vessels contract to allow the blood to irrigate the heart, the lungs, the brain and the muscles first and foremost. The attentiveness is increased, the muscle tone increases, the glycemia also. The symptoms vary depending to the individual: excitement, loss of control, sudden rise of the tension, the dry mouth, pounding heart and accelerated breathing, frightens, desire to go to saddle, node in the stomach...

• The resistance stage 

The body adapts and expands its defenses against aggression. The body attempts to restore balance. The role of the adrenal cortex is essential. The diencephalon acts on the pituitary gland which increases its secretion of ACTH by the anterior lobe. The ACTH stimulates the production by the adrenal cortex of cortisol. The hormonal secretions become excessive if the stress persists, the organs may suffer (cardiac injury, stomach ...), immune defenses diminish. During this phase the body is more vulnerable to other stresses. The cumulative effect of different stress will make them more difficult to bear.

• The exhaustion stage

If aggression persists with intensity, there is a risk of death. The mental and physical strengths are exhausted, the capacity of resistance of the body collapses. Critical illness appear. Fortunately, there is only few stress which might lead to the phase of exhaustion and death.

Actions to implement  

The protocols to be implemented will be of several orders

In main title and concomitantly  it is necessary to define...

• A preventive action which will be mainly of cardiovascular type.

• An important action of the immune system

• An anti-depressive action which will allow a better resistance to stress.

Complementary...

• The regulation of the endocrine glands is of course a more, in the fight against stress.

• And in some cases, it will be important to have a tonic action, relaxing or on the sleep.

A. In main title, and concomitantly 

1. Action on the cardiovascular

Several studies show that high levels of homocysteine are associated to a higher incidence of heart disease (conference DAN 1999 ).

The methylation of homocysteine lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Besides, an intake rich in gamma-linolenic acid and in linoleic acid is also beneficial to the cardiovascular level.

2. Immunizing action 

It is intended to strengthen the defenses

Here we will use different plants and substances whose the effectiveness in strengthening the immune system has been demonstrated.

Combining these elements allows an essential immune action in the syndrome of mismatch.

A complementation can, if necessary, be useful when the patient presents disorders of...

• physical and intellectual fatigue, impotence, difficult digestion by the action of Ginger
• hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, overweight, diarrhea by the action of Camelia sinensis
• light diabetes by the action of eleutherococcus

3. Antidepressive action 

It aims to provide a better resistance to stress for the body by its own potential.

For this, it has a natural amino acid : the SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine).

The action here, will consist to allow the body to increase its own production of SAMe

Besides to its antioxidant,action, SAMe is our natural antidepressant. It is used in the formation of neurotransmitters, in the phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine or the phosphatidylserine and melatonin.

It also has beneficial effects on neuronal membranes. It increases the fluidity of cell membranes and improves the neurotransmission by increasing the number of neurotransmitter receptors available.

Finally, the SAMe improves the connections of neurotransmitters in the receptors sites by increasing the activity of serotonin and dopamine.

Besides increasing the levels of serotonin to improve emotional functions, SAMe is essential for a proper functioning of the regulator of sleep.

B. Complementary 

In some cases, it may be accompanied by an intake of magnesium, ginkgo, soy lecithin and in eschscholtzia, when

• muscle contractions or spasms by the action of magnesium
• a decrease in intellectual performance by the ginkgo
• difficulties in concentration by the soy lecithin
• disorders of sleep, pondering by the Eschscholtzia

The hormonal regulation of stress will be of course a more, in the fight against stress.

Action Protocols 

Necessity of a powerful cardiovascular action, strengthening immune, anti-depressive and relaxing

Take STS Action Program 

Groups together in a single packaging and for a full month of use the various products and substances necessary for the achievement of these objectives

Other supplementary means of action are also available according to needs especially on the male or female hormonal disorders.

Bibliography

upon request  Van Snick 

 

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Ginseng 
For its immuno-stimulating action which manifested by an increase of the chemotaxis of macrophages and polynuclear, by an increase of phagocytosis by macrophages and thus a better presentation of antigens after their "processing", so by optimizing the lymphocyte response.  More importantly, the Ginseng is recommended for its specific action on the stimulation of "Natural killers" cells.

Echinacea
The echinacea that acts synergistically with ginseng to improve the macrophages performance, make them produce in larger quantities Il 1, Il 10 , TNF alpha, Interferon alpha and beta and to increase the number and effectiveness of  N.K cells.  But also because, more specifically Echinacea ,  increases the production of antibodies, thus the immunity with humoral mediation, and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC).

B group vitamins 
Because if they are essential to almost all carbohydrate metabolism and thus the proper functioning of the brain, they are equally essential for protein metabolism and therefore the proper course of any immune response, whether humoral or cellular, which should include in the shortest possible time, many protein synthesis.

 Beta-carotene or provitamin  A:

The vitamin A acts by stimulating the synthesis of RNA messenger and thus acts on the cellular growth.  In combination with zinc, it plays an essential role in the immune activity.

Zinc
It plays a dominating role in :

The zinc is indispensable to the metabolism of proteins and in the absence of zinc any growth is stopped. The zinc plays an essential role in the proliferation, maturation and lymphocytic differentiation and the thymulin is directly zinc-dependent.

 Vitamin E or dl. alpha tocopherol

The vitamin E plays a role in the humoral mediation response since the response to mitogens was connected to his activity.

Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol
Is essential for the activation of immune system cells because it enables the assimilation of calcium and then it is the entry of the calcium into the cells that will be the detonator of all effector cell responses.

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid.
Of course plays a role in antibacterial defenses, by increasing the mobility of white blood cells and protecting their membranes against oxidative damage, but also in antiviral defenses by increasing the synthesis of interferon.

Selenium
The selenium is involved in regulating the immune system at all levels :

Chromium 
During a viral infection there is a drop of chromium in blood levels.  A recharging in chromium can help to improve the fight against this type of infection.

Manganese.
Because it was shown that manganese intervenes in the synthesis of antibodies.

Molybdenum 

Catalysis at the level of enterocyte, the oxidative incorporation of iron on transferrin.  It plays a role in iron mobilization and its reserve.

Cooper 
The cooper intervenes in iron metabolism, allowing the release and the passage of duodenal iron in plasma, the reticuloendothelial system. The ceruloplasmin oxidizes ferrous iron to ferric iron.  This ferroxidase action of ceruloplasmin is very important for iron binding by transferrin and thus for its transport and its storage.

Choline
It is necessary for the synthesis of nucleic acids DNA and RNA and therefore essential, to the cellular proliferation of the immune response.

Calcium
As was seen with the vitamin D, the passage of the calcium in intracellular is the detonator of the effector function of the cells of the immune system !