Managing Holiday Stress with Provita

The festive season, known for its celebrations and joy, often comes with its own set of stressors like family gatherings, gift shopping, and meal preparations, which can sometimes be overwhelming.

At Provita, we understand these holiday pressures and are pleased to recommend our top three natural supplements that can assist in alleviating seasonal stress.

Magnesium has several benefits for managing stress and anxiety. It plays a key role in regulating cortisol levels, a hormone closely associated with stress. In situations of chronic stress, excessive cortisol can worsen depression and anxiety. Magnesium helps mitigate this by reducing or blocking the pathways that send cortisol to the brain, thereby reducing anxiety levels. Upwards of 75% of people in some populations may have suboptimal levels of magnesium.

Another significant role of magnesium is in balancing neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters act like switches in the brain, turning on during stress or anxiety and off when calm. Magnesium helps prevent these neurotransmitters from over-firing, which can exacerbate anxiety. It does this by blunting the release of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, and aiding in the release of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. This action is somewhat similar to how certain anxiety medications function.(1)(2)

Provita’s Magnesium Pro is a Highly bioavailable formulation featuring 4 forms of magnesium, vitamin B6 and coral calcium.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a key role in reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. It functions primarily as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it blocks or inhibits certain brain signals and decreases activity in the nervous system. This action helps produce a calming effect, making it crucial in controlling stress, anxiety, and fear.

GABA is essential for maintaining a balance between the nervous system's excitatory and inhibitory responses. (3)

Nervines are herbs that specifically help support the nervous system. One of the most commonly used nervine herb is California poppy.

California poppy monograph published by Health Canada refers to the herb as a natural ingredient to be used as a mild sedative and analgesic (pain reliever).

It is recognized for its potential benefits in managing stress, anxiety, and sleep-related issues. This plant has been used traditionally and in various studies to explore its effects on mental health and pain management.

Improving Sleep: California poppy contains alkaloids that positively affect GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain that promotes sleep and relaxation. Studies, including a review study and clinical trials, have shown that California poppy can improve sleep quality, especially when used in combination with other herbs.

Pain Management:The plant is also known for its pain-relieving properties. Various studies, including open-lab trials and animal studies, have highlighted its effectiveness in managing chronic pain and pain-related insomnia. California poppy has been shown to be more powerful than morphine in pain management, yet is considered safer without the side effects associated with morphine.

Reducing Anxiety: : As a nervine relaxant, California poppy is often used in herbal formulas to reduce stress and anxiety. A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study involving a combination of California poppy, hawthorn, and magnesium showed effectiveness in reducing anxiety. Additionally, animal studies have supported its sedative and anxiolytic properties. (4)

A study carried out in France concluded that there is a complementary effect of California poppy and Hawthorn berry; the study found that anxiety modifies cardiac rhythm which can then be controlled by a good Hawthorn berry source.

Remember, the holidays are a time to create joyful memories and cherish time with loved ones. By managing stress effectively, you can enjoy these moments to their fullest. Happy Holidays!

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