Chronic Stress and Metabolic Systems

Mark R. Bartlett Ph.D.

Senior Scientist, Pharmanex

YIKES!

Yo quiero...

HEALTH

endocrine systemnervous system

immune system

stress

sadness

anxiousness

conflict

personality bereavement

Hypothalamus

stressors

Pituitary

Adrenal

GlucocorticoidsGluco=sugar

CRH

ACTH

.

70503010-10-100

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Cor

tisol

(µg/

100

ml)

Cortisol

0

10

20

30

40

50

AC

TH (p

g/m

l)

70503010-10-10

ACTH

70503010-10-100

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

NE

(ng/

l)

Norepinephrine

Time (min)

stress stress stress

M. Altemus, Cornell University.Trier Social Stress Test(public speaking & arithmetic)

The “normal” stress resonse

B. Stress ResponseBegins in Brain

(lots of chemistry)

C. Fight or flight

Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers…

Robert Sapolsky, PhDStanford stress

researcher A. Stress happens

D. Stress responseends. Stress hormones dissipate

Yikes!!!

Whew!

But you are NOT a Zebra…

Yikes!!!

Same stress response begins in the brain(lots of chemistry)

Modern stressors do not permitfight or flight

Stress responsecontinues. Stresshormones lead to

tissue damage

Yikes!!!

STRESS

ACUTE STRESS• brief• normal circadian rhythm• adaptive

CHRONIC STRESS• prolonged & repeated• disrupted circadian rhythm• maladaptive

Hypothalamus

stressors

Pituitary

Adrenal

GlucocorticoidsGluco=sugar

CRH

ACTH

Elevated Cortisol and Appetite• Women with high cortisol response (compared to

women with low cortisol response):• consumed more calories• ate significantly more sweet foods• had more negative moods

• High dietary restraint is associated with high urinary cortisol excretion

• Dietary Restraint = Consciously trying to limit food intake

to achieve or maintain a desired body weight1. Epel ES, et al. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2001;26:37-49.2. McLean JA, Barr SI, Prior JC. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:7-12.

Abdominal Fat & Stress-Related Cortisol

Years in work

Abdominal Fat Stress-related cortisol

<10 <1011-20 >21 11-20 >2119

20

22

24

23

21

0

0.1

0.3

0.5

0.4

0.220.6±2.2

21.5±4.1

22.5±3.7

P<0.05

0.04±0.3

0.15±0.6

0.34±0.5

P<0.05

Rosmond, et al. Obes Res 2000;8:445-450.

nmol/Lcm

Abdominal Fat Accumulation

High Stress / High Cortisol Normal Stress / Normal Cortisol

% Change in Abdominal Fat

baseline post-tx (3 mo.) follow-up (6 mo.)

-2.5

-2.0

-1.5

-1.0

-0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

Treatment Control

Abd

omin

al

Fat

(%

)

Time

TREATMENT

*

F=9.7, p< .008Epel et al. Psychosom Med 2000;62(5):623-32.

– Stress– Lack of Sleep– Dieting / Restrained eating

Cortisol Levels Are Elevated In...

Adults who need to control cortisol levels are… • Frequently confronted with stressful situations• Getting less than 8 hours of sleep every night• Limiting caloric intake to lose weight

Stress Management Techniques • Meditation, Coping strategies, etc…

Exercise– Daily, moderate aerobic and strength training

Nutrition

Supplements – Avoid ephedra and related stimulants– Cortisol-controlling supplements (PS, Beta-sitosterol...)– Relaxation supplements (Magnolia, Theanine…)

Evaluation (every month to see how you are doing)

You can control cortisol levels via:

Magnolia bark • calming effects; non-sedating

Epimedium• reduces cortisol levels during high stress

L-Theanine• increase alpha brain wave production; promotes relaxed alertness and concentration; non-sedating

Phosphatidylserine• reduces cortisol levels following strenuous exercise; improves mental function and positive feelings

Beta-sitosterol• balances cortisol:DHEA ratio; supports immune

function

Scientific Substantiation

*References available upon request

Cortitrol™ STRESS CONTROL FORMULA- Health Benefits -

• Enhances feelings of wellbeing and control in response to stressful situations

• Improves performance and increased vigor throughout the day

• Better mental concentration and focus

• Supports weight maintenance efforts

The Right Approachto Weight Management

• Diet

• Exercise

• Supplements:– Cortitrol– Tegreen 97– CraveEase

Removes the metabolic road blocks to long-lasting results.