Feb 17 2012
Chronic Epstein Barr and Stress
Chronic Epstein Barr and stress often go hand in hand. In many of my EBV patients, elevated cortisol is the problem.
Cortisol is an essential stress hormone designed to help you cope with stress and danger. Cortisol helps release amino acids from the muscles, glucose from the liver, and fatty acids into the blood stream to produce energy. Sadly, due to illness or a sedentary lifestyle elevated cortisol can remain high and lead to serious health conditions. Elevated cortisol puts the body into a catabolic state where there is widespread tissue destruction, muscle loss, bone loss, immune system depression and brain shrinkage.
Cortisol shrinks the thymus gland – one of the key immune regulators in the body. Chronic Epstein Barr and stress can inhibit the production and activity of natural killer cells, known as NK cells, as much as 50%. NK cells are responsible for identifying and destroying viruses like EBV. Long-term exposure to stress hormones disrupts the body’s metabolism causing elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, mood swings, depression, insomnia, fatigue and increased body fat levels
So what are some natural ways to lower your cortisol levels to help with chronic Epstein Barr and stress? Here are some starting points suggested by the “Herb Lady” – Caroline MacDougall:
1. Firstly eliminate caffeine from your diet. It’s the quickest way to reduce cortisol production and elevate the production of DHEA, the leading anabolic youth hormone.
2. Sleep deeper and longer. If you can’t sleep try taking melatonin, a natural hormone produced at night that helps regulate sleep/wake cycles. Deep sleep is an essential part of recovery from chronic Epstein Barr and stress.
3. Exercise regularly to build muscle mass and increase brain output of serotonin and dopamine, brain chemicals that reduce anxiety and depression. During chronic Epstein Barr and stress you may need to exercise gently.
4. Keep your blood sugar stable. Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates in your diet. Eat frequent small meals balanced in protein, complex carbohydrates and good fats like olive oil and flax seed oil. Keep well hydrated – dehydration puts the body in stress and raises cortisol levels.
5. Take anti-stress supplements like B vitamins, minerals like calcium, magnesium, chromium and zinc, and antioxidants like vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid, grape seed extract, and Co Q 10. These are a vital part for treatment of chronic Epstein Barr and stress.
Adaptogen herbs like ginseng, astragalus, eleuthero, schizandra, rhodiola and ashwagandha help the body cope with the side effects of stress and rebalance the metabolism. These supplement and herbs will not only lower cortisol levels but they will also help you decrease the effects of stress on the body by boosting the immune system.
6.Meditate or listen to relaxation tapes that promote the production of alpha (focused alertness) and theta (relaxed) brain waves. Avoid jolting alarm clocks that take you from delta waves (deep sleep) to beta waves (agitated and anxious).
If you are suffering from chronic Epstein Barr and stress then consider that your cortisol levels may be elevated. Fortunately there is a lot you can do with natural therapies. For more details on treating chronic Epstein Barr and stress please refer to the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.
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