TWV Podcast Episode 446: Nutrient Deficiencies Caused by Stress

In this week’s episode of The Whole View, Stacy and I discuss the science on the link between stress and nutrient deficiencies. We cover the fascinating science showing that chronic stress depletes our stores of 6 essential nutrients (magnesium, vitamin C, iron, zinc, calcium and niacin), and how deficiency in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA or vitamin C can magnify the stress response! Bonus points if you picked up on the fact that vitamin C is on both sides of the stress-nutrient equation! The implication is a snowball of badness effect, where not getting enough vitamin C can exaggerate the physiological response to a stressor, which then depletes the body of vitamin C, which then magnifies the stress response even more!

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Recommended Reading and Listening
Citations

And importantly, whole-food-based vitamin C increases bioavailability anywhere from 35% to 8 times (WOW!), thanks to the synergy between bioflavonoids and vitamin C. That’s why we’re so grateful to Paleovalley for sponsoring this episode! Their Essential C Complex is the best quality vitamin C we know of and the supplement we both choose for ourselves! It’s a convenient capsule containing three gently-dried, whole, organic superfood sources of vitamin C—amla berry, camu camu berry, and unripe acerola cherry—so you get all the vitamins, minerals, and important flavonoids that increase vitamin C absorption and utilization. Plus, like you would expect from Paleovalley, their Essential C Complex is third-party tested, there’s no fillers or wonky ingredients, and it’s gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO.

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Citations

Lopresti AL. The Effects of Psychological and Environmental Stress on Micronutrient Concentrations in the Body: A Review of the Evidence. Adv Nutr. 2020 Jan 1;11(1):103-112. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmz082. PMID: 31504084; PMCID: PMC7442351.

Grases G, Pérez-Castelló JA, Sanchis P, Casero A, Perelló J, Isern B, Rigo E, Grases F. Anxiety and stress among science students. Study of calcium and magnesium alterations. Magnes Res. 2006 Jun;19(2):102-6. PMID: 16955721.

Cernak I, Savic V, Kotur J, Prokic V, Kuljic B, Grbovic D, Veljovic M. Alterations in magnesium and oxidative status during chronic emotional stress. Magnes Res. 2000 Mar;13(1):29-36. PMID: 10761188.

Chu A, Petocz P, Samman S. Plasma/Serum Zinc Status During Aerobic Exercise Recovery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2017 Jan;47(1):127-134. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0567-0. PMID: 27260681.

Piruzian, L.A., Protasova, O.V., Maksimova, I.A. et al. Magnesium level in the human body during a 105-day isolation. Hum Physiol 41, 746–749 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119715070178

Hooper MH, Carr A, Marik PE. The adrenal-vitamin C axis: from fish to guinea pigs and primates. Crit Care. 2019 Jan 28;23(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s13054-019-2332-x. PMID: 30691525; PMCID: PMC6348603.

Padayatty SJ, Doppman JL, Chang R, Wang Y, Gill J, Papanicolaou DA, Levine M. Human adrenal glands secrete vitamin C in response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jul;86(1):145-9. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/86.1.145. PMID: 17616774.

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Scientists Say Vitamin C May Alleviate The Body’s Response To Stress

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Comparative Bioavailability of Synthetic and Natural Vitamin C in Guinea Pigs

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