Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
Did you know that high cortisol levels, (i.e, stressful life) can actually cause gluten sensitivity? High cortisol levels (our stress hormone) causes the gut to be more permeable, meaning, things leak out of it prematurely into the blood stream. This is because when cortisol is high, IgA (immunoglobulin A) decreases.
Whaaaat? Well, IgA, is an antibody that protects the gut lining. Between this and greater intestinal permeability (stuff leaking out of the gut prematurely) more antibodies are created against gluten, which is prematurely leaking into the blood stream creating an immune response and ultimately, a sensitivity. So, if you are under high stress, removing gluten might be a kind thing to do for your intestinal tract and your body/immune system!
Also, if you already know gluten doesn't jive with you, you might want to look at your stress levels! To lower them without quitting your job and leaving your family:) you might consider:
1. Stopping eating 3 hours before bedtime, lowering nighttime cortisol levels and increasing the time your body spends doing repair work while you sleep. If your body is digesting, it is not repairing or resting. Going to bed with a mostly empty tummy is an easy way to really decrease your stress levels and wake up more energized!
2. Start doing some deep breathing exercises daily. To do this, find a quiet space, even if its in the bathroom! and sit down. Inhale through your nose slowly, hold it as long as its comfortable and then exhale through your mouth or nose slowly. I like to inhale for a count of 8, hold for a count of 8 and exhale for a count of 8. Do this about ten times.
3. Listen to 'My Favorite Place Relaxation Exercise' daily when you feel most stressed out. http://www.mariarippo.com/free-downloads.html
4. Also, if you are living a stressful life, consider working in, rather than working out. Exercise is also a form of stress, so working in, like doing yoga while deep breathing (not hot yoga) is relaxing instead of adding more stress.
5. Consider turning off the TV and computer and get your 8 - 9 hours of sleep. Your body does its physical repair work between the hours of 10 pm and 2am and its psychological repair work between the hours of 2 am and 6am. If you miss out on this sleep time, your body will miss out on this all important repair and regeneration time.
6. Daily imagine lifting everything in your life UP to God. I do this visually, (watching it all go up into the hands of God) lifting up my business, my family, my clients, all of it so I can rest in it, rather than be totally stressed. It works miracles for me!
7. Practice surrendering to what is, rather than fighting it. When we surrender, it doesn't mean giving in and doing nothing, it means accepting what is so we can clearly see what needs to change and take action rather than spending all of our energy on wishing away and fighting what is.
The Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
RSS Feed