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2020 November

Second national lockdown and the rise in anxiety

5th November 2020


Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID outbreak a global pandemic, many of us, even those who have not been infected by the virus, chose to follow national guidelines and self-isolate, staying safe within the four walls of our home. While many people saw this opportunity as a break from routine and time away from work, some people lived through these unprecedented events in total fear. And for good reason. 


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According to scientists leading the government, anyone could spread the virus. Even asymptomatic people can carry the virus and contaminate others. Some other people were already dealing with anxiety and required constant support and interactions that were indispensable to their mental, emotional and physical well-being.

Panic buying was just an example of how such events can override our own understanding of the world around us and common sense. This is because our mind is hooked on survival, a mechanism that has ensured the continuity of the human species. 

A second lockdown is bound to make the situation more difficult for many people, and a rise in anxiety is inevitable. 



The Stress Response


The stress response is a tightly-regulated system in our body, involving the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the adrenal glands, also known as the HPA axis. A sense of danger ignites the stress response (the fight-or-flight mode), which immediately leads to the release of epinephrine (adrenaline). If the stress response remains activated (we continually sense danger), the adrenals then release cortisol. The role of stress hormones is to increase blood sugar levels (to provide sufficient energy to run from danger or fight back), blood pressure and heart rate (to supply enough oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissues and the brain), and dilate pupils to increase vision (so we can find the best escape route). Every secondary system is put on hold, including digestion and immune function.  

Because the brain is not able to differentiate between different types of stress (e.g. actual, perceived or anticipatory), the response remains the same. On the long-term, chronic stress taxes resources and can lead to dysfunction by dramatically affecting digestion and immune function. 

One of the main drivers of dysfunction is gut hyperpermeability. Due to lower digestive capabilities and immune responses, poorly digested food particles, pathogens and allergens can wreak havoc in the gut and damage the gut lining, leading to larger molecules and allergens to enter the bloodstream and spread inflammation to other parts of the body. As damage continues, the effect of stress can be immense. It is therefore essential to reduce our stress levels and support our bodies the best way we can. Meditation, mindfulness, breathing techniques and regular physical activities can help retune the HPA axis, balance the adrenals and reduce plasma cortisol. 




Supporting the HPA Axis


Supporting the adrenal glands is also important, as they require a large number of nutrients to provide a continuous supply of stress hormones (e.g. B vitamins, especially B6 and B6, vitamin C and magnesium). Intense, chronic stress may exhaust the adrenals and stores of these nutrients. As a result, the adrenals can no longer supply enough cortisol. Cortisol levels are at the highest in the morning, so we can wake up and go about our day. When levels are low, people usually feel fatigued and find it very difficult to wake up in the morning, relying on stimulants, like coffee and sugar, to just move. Once referred to as adrenal fatigue, this sensation of malaise is now universally recognised as HPA axis dysfunction.

Reducing our level of stress is indeed important but, when all we see and hear drives our fears deeper in our subconscious, supporting our adrenals should become a priority. 

AdrenaVen™ from Premier Research Labs help support the adrenals. It contains fermented mycelial extract of cordyceps, a mushroom with adaptogenic capacities that has been used for centuries for whole body support, and Eleuthero root (also called Siberian Ginseng), a comprehensive, multi-nutrient support blend. It can also be used together with Adaptogen-R3™ (support for pituitary/adrenal axis), requiring a lower dosage. These complexes work better alongside Vitamin C (Premier Vitamin C provides 135 mg of vitamin C and is free from synthetic ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate), B5 and magnesium supplementation. 

To reduce the negative effect of stress and free radical damage (due to the increased demand in energy), it is also recommended to supplement with glutathione (also needed to protect the liver). Premier Glutathione Complex taken 3 times a day, can provide effective supply of reduced glutathione, the active molecule.

To support the immune system, it may also be useful to regularly top-up vitamin D stores in the body. Premier Research Labs D3 Serum is one of the most bioavailable form of D3 available (1 drop = 1000 IU).



PRL AdrenaVen: Full Adrenal Support


AdrenaVen™ from Premier Research Labs help support the adrenals. It contains fermented mycelial extract of cordyceps, a mushroom with adaptogenic capacities that have been used for centuries for whole body support, and Eleuthero root (also called Siberian Ginseng), a comprehensive, multi-nutrient support blend. It can also be used together with Adaptogen-R3™ (support for pituitary/adrenal axis), requiring a lower dosage. 

These complexes work better alongside Vitamin C (Premier Vitamin C provides 135 mg of Vitamin C and is free from synthetic ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate), B5 and magnesium supplementation. 

To reduce the negative effect of stress and free radical damage (due to the increased demand in energy), it is also recommended to supplement with glutathione (also needed to protect the liver). Premier Glutathione Complex taken 3 times a day, can provide an effective supply of reduced glutathione, the active molecule.

To support the immune system, it may also be useful to regularly top-up vitamin D stores in the body. Premier Research Labs D3 Serum is one of the most bioavailable forms of D3 available (1 drop = 1000 IU).

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