Knowledge

These shroomie superstars have been around for centuries and a staple of Eastern diets and medicine, with the earliest recorded use dating back to 450 BC. We have recently seen functional and holistic medicine and nutrition going mainstream, so there has been a resurgence of interest in mushrooms.

So, whether it is for recovering from short or long-term physical or mental stress or boosting immunity (less stress = less likely to get sick) and overall well-being, adaptogens is a great tool for the stress-busting toolkit!

Biohacking for Women! This has become very popular of late in the health and wellness space. Being a woman shouldn’t be difficult, but it is important that we’re given the tools to hack our health to be absolutely optimised!

Unfortunately everyone is affected by stress and we all have to deal with some type of stress throughout our life. Most of us regularly encounter stressful situations of varying degrees and some of us are better equipt than others at dealing with the effects.

Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common side effects associated with both radiation and chemotherapy. It also occurs during the malignant phase too. Quality of life can be significantly impacted, cancer survivors tend to experience cancer related fatigue and other commonly associated symptoms including sleep disturbance, pain, depression, and anxiety. Pharmacological options are limited and are often associated with further side effects. A natural approach is a safer way to alleviate these symptoms. While there are many ways to reduce symptoms, during active conventional treatment, the focus of this blog is on post-treatment cancer related fatigue/chemo brain.  What is Cancer related fatigue (CRF)? Cancer related fatigue is defined as a persistent, subjective fatigue that interferes with the patient’s ability to carry out normal daily activities. This is different than other forms of fatigue such as overexertion or flu-related fatigue, which is typically resolved with rest and sleep. In cases of CRF, the fatigue becomes pathological when it occurs during normal activities, does not improve and therefore severely impacts a patient’s quality of life. What Causes Chemo Brain?  Scientists believe chemo brain has more than one cause.  In some cases the disease itself or the drugs used to fight the disease that causes cognitive impairment. For others, problems with mental clarity can arise from the stress of having cancer, from lack of sleep, or from developing depression or anxiety. Cognitive difficulties can also arise due to the patient’s age or other health problems not relating to the disease. Ways to BIOHACK Chemo Brain/Fatigue Exercise: Cardiovascular exercise is one of the strongest drivers of brain repair after injury, stimulating the growth of new neurons, facilitating connections between brain cells, and enhancing overall cognitive resilience. Practice Mindfulness: Yoga and Meditation can help your ability to pay attention to detail. These types of practices teach you how to focus your attention. They can also help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.  Stay organized, have a to do list and ensure that tasks for the day are set out and ready to be completed. Eating a well-balanced diet: A diet rich in antioxidants can be helpful in minimizing cancer therapy-related damage to brain cells and unwanted cognitive side effects from cancer therapy. Therefore, enriching your diet with fruits and vegetables, along with weight loss (if you are overweight or obese), are highly recommended strategies. Get enough sleep: Chronic sleep deprivation damages brain cells, prevents brain regeneration, causes daytime fatigue, and reduces cognitive function. Poor sleep also impairs the basic mechanism that eliminates toxic waste in the brain — a process that primarily happens during sleep. Simple behavioural changes to improve sleep hygiene include avoiding neurostimulants prior to bedtime (coffee, chocolate, beverages with high sugar content, etc.), and minimizing exposure to electronic devices in your bedroom. Meditation and various relaxation techniques can also be helpful to improve sleep. Adaptogens: Most adaptogenic herbs help to increase the body’s resistance to stress but some of these have specific individual quirks that make them a bit more special in assisting Cancer related fatigue/Chemo Brain. Adaptogens to the rescue! Ashwagandha is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used in India for hundreds of years for relieving fatigue and exhaustion associated with physical and emotional stress. A recent study found that Stage 2 and Stage 3 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy reported less fatigue and improved quality of life when the herbal medicine Ashwagandha was used during the course of their treatment. N-Acetylcysteine can be used to combat fatigue felt by those patients who had chemo. One of the reasons fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite occurs is due to liver toxicity. During chemotherapy the liver becomes overburdened with removing toxins within the body. N-Acetylcysteine can assist with supporting the liver to function normally. * This needs to be carefully managed with the help of your practitioner. Coenzyme Q10(known as CoQ10) is a compound that is made in the body. The body uses it for cell growth and to protect cells from damage. Coenzyme Q10 has shown an ability to stimulate the immune system and to protect the heart from damage caused by certain chemotherapy Low blood levels of coenzyme Q10 has been detected in patients with some types of cancer. Thus supplementing with CoQ10 with the guidance of a medical practitioner may be beneficial. (Study of CoQ10 – University of Miami Medicine) Rhodiola Rosea is a traditional botanical medicine that has been used for centuries to increase physical endurance, enhance longevity, and treat depression, fatigue as well as other health issues. Specific to cancer, preliminary studies have shown that Rhodiola Rosea may enhance the effects of chemotherapy in general and potentially reduce universal side effects such as fatigue and cognitive impairment. Cordyceps Mushroom acts as an immune stimulator by raising cancer- and virus-fighting T Cells & enhancing Natural Killer Cells. Thus prolonging the life of white blood cells and improving resolution of infections. Cordyceps has demonstrated anti-tumor properties and also protects the kidneys from chemotherapy side effects. It is one of the most widely used tonics in anti-cancer formulas in Chinese Medicine. No matter what side effects chemo/radiation causes, it’s possible to take steps to increase your quality of life after treatment. Make sure you consult your oncologist beforehand. DISCLAIMER! This blog is made available by OPTMZ. We are not medical professionals, nutritionists or dieticians. Please do not make any changes to your lifestyle or diet without discussing it with your health care practitioner. Every single individual is unique, therefore, you are responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health. The information in this blog is based on research and all content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Content should also not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.  

STRESS is a challenging six-letter word. No matter how easygoing a person is, stress finds its way into his/her life, thanks to the rigours of an over-competitive world! It leads to a chain of complications like depression, chronic gastritis, high blood pressure, insomnia, heart diseases, and so on.  It has been observed that stressed people tend to first lookout for various OTC drugs from pharmaceuticals that help to tone down the anxiety and stress levels. However, these medicines could have adverse side-effects. Furthermore, they do not address the cause of underlying stress but rather work to suppress it temporarily.  The truth of the matter is that there is no cure for stress. Thankfully, natural remedies and herbal supplements can have a powerful impact on our hormones and help our body shield itself from the harmful effects of stress. The human body has the incredible capacity to heal itself when provided with the right gears. One such aid that enables the body to combat stress by healing itself is an 'Adaptogen’, the latest trend in the natural health and wellness space. Various companies are investigating into these chic herbs for combating stress as well as other chronic conditions. What Are Adaptogens? Adaptogens are non-toxic plants that have been used for healing for centuries, in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines. They were first developed during World War II to increase the efficiency of pilots to fly better and faster for more extended periods.  Adaptogens, as the term indicates, help the body adapt to stress and function in the usual fashion. They are essentially herbal pharmaceuticals that work by counteracting the physical and mental pressures of the body.  Stress causes various physical changes in the body, damaging the endocrine, neurological, and immune systems. The stimulant properties in adaptogens help to counteract these harmful effects of stress. How Do Adaptogens Work? Adaptogens work by fine-tuning the hormones at the molecular level and by creating a balance in the various hypothalamic, adrenal and pituitary glands. These glands are a part of our body’s stress response system. [1] A study has found out that adaptogens help in promoting health and wellbeing and thereby combat stress when used as a supplement with other traditional medicines. [2] The Link Between Adaptogens, Adrenal Dysfunction, and Stress [3] Adrenal Dysfunction or adrenal fatigue arises from many factors like stress, insomnia, imbalances in the blood sugar, and so on, with the primary factor being stress. Adrenal fatigue occurs due to  HPA Axis fatigue. (HPA Axis regulates stress hormones). During periods of high stress (say rescuing a person from a fall), the body responds to unexpected challenges through the ‘fight or flight’ response by producing enough cortisol to combat stress. The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) prepares the body to be armed for combating stress by mobilizing additional energy.  This is done by rapid heart rate and respiration to enable more blood to be rushed to the limbs (or any other stressed part) from the remaining parts of the body. Hence, the other parts of the body get just a minimal supply of blood for basic functioning.  Once the body combats stress, the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS), prepares to relax the body and eventually recover. During stress, the functioning of the other systems like the digestive and immune systems are compromised to supply enough blood to the part where it is required.  While this may be an efficient system by the body to tackle itself against occasional stress, the fact is that the stress we face today may not be short-term. Instead, we all live in an age of constant chronic stress. During such constantly stressful periods, large amounts of cortisol are released into the body, and the adrenals find it difficult to keep pace with the demand for substantial stress hormones. Their ability to produce normal hormones for maintaining the body's health gets reduced, leading to adrenal fatigue, which in turn leads to a host of other medical conditions. Continually being in the fight or flight mode creates abnormal blood circulation to various organs and weakens them. Adaptogens come to the rescue, enabling the body to face the challenges of chronic stress by helping the adrenals to be better prepared to combat stress. Here are some popular adaptogenic natural remedies and supplements that help to combat stress. Each herb or mushroom detailed below helps the body to fight various stress levels ranging from mild, moderate, acute to chronic. Adaptogens Herb Supplements for Combating Stress: [4]  Holy Basil – (Ocimum sanctum, O. gratissimum) Plant Family: Lamiaceae  Portion used: Leaves and Flowers Holy Basil has been in use in India since ages and forms an essential component in Ayurvedic medicine. It helps to reduce anxiety and balance the cortisol hormones. It is also neuroprotective and enhances cerebral circulation. Ashwagandha -  (Withania somnifera) Plant family: Solanaceae Portion used: Root This is an adaptogenic herb that is commonly used in Ayurveda and helps to improve focus and reduce irritability and enhance overall vitality. The term Ashwagandha is said to be derived from the Hindi term 'Asgahdh" meaning the smell of a horse. True to this, the herb gives the strength of a stallion. Ashwagandha is known for its energizing effects on the body. Many animal-based studies have proven the efficacy of Ashwagandha for its adaptogenic benefits.  Further specific research suggests that Ashwagandha may be as effective as popular medicines used in reducing anxiety levels. [5], [6]  Reishi Mushroom -  (Ganoderma lucidum ) Mushroom family: Ganodermataceae Portion used: The fruiting body, mycelium, and in some cases, the spores. Certain mushrooms like Reishi are quite popular in combating stress as they help to alter moods and improve the immune system. Reishi mushrooms are popularly found in Asia, and this fungus has been an integral part of Eastern medicine for many years. [7] Several molecules in this mushroom, like polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and peptidoglycans, provide numerous health benefits, including reduction of hypertension that is responsible for stress. [8] Reishi mushroom also helps to combat fatigue and depression. A study on 132 patients with neurasthenia (condition with headaches, pain, irritability, etc.) showed reduced fatigue and irritability post eight weeks of consumption of reishi supplements. [9] Check out the best Reishi Mushroom supplement here…  Lemon Balm -  (Melissa officinalis) Plant Family: Lamiaceae Portion used: Leaves Lemon balm belongs to the mint family and is said to have sedative properties. [10]. Various studies have shown its efficacy against anxiety. [11].  Lemon balm also tags well with Valerian root (another herb for treating anxiety and sleep disorders). [12] L- tryptophan  L- tryptophan is an amino acid, and it plays a vital role in the well being of a person. Factors like stress and unhealthy diet negatively impact L-tryptophan and thereby lead to irritable mood. L-tryptophan is responsible for the secretion of the happiness hormone "serotonin" and hence is a perfect mood enhancer. [13] Check out the serotonin enhancer adaptogen here…  Further, L- tryptophan also helps against insomnia and stress. Hence, the lesser the availability of this amino acid, the lower the happiness quotient and wellbeing. L-tryptophan is considered to be an essential amino acid as the body does not produce it. It must be acquired through food sources. L-tryptophan is found in abundance in plant and animal proteins. Once the body absorbs L-tryptophan, it gets converted primarily into 5-HTP and then into serotonin (mood enhancer), melatonin (vital for sleep) and nicotinamide (B6 Vitamin required for energy).  Some of the food sources with high tryptophan content include: Dairy products Bananas Fish Eggs Walnuts Tomatoes Rhodiola Rosea - (lignum rhodium)  Plant Family: Crassulaceae Portion used: Root. Leaves and shoots are also used in a few cases and consumed raw. Also known as golden root, this herb is commonly found in the wild Arctic regions and parts of Asia and North America as well. This herb is used in traditional medical practice for treating symptoms of anxiety and depression.[14]  Russians and Scandinavians have used Rhodiola to treat various conditions of depression and anxiety for many centuries. This herb helps in the treatment of mild depressive symptoms [14] and also boosts mental performance. [15] One study has found out that Rhodiola extract of 400 mg per day when given to 101 participants suffering from work-related stress led to a significant improvement in stress symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, etc.in just three days. [16] Furthermore, Rhodiola also helps to alleviate the symptoms of burnout that occurs with chronic stress. A study on 118 individuals with stress-related exhaustion showed that this herb helped to improve may symptoms related to depression and stress. [17] So if you are suffering from chronic or work-related stress and lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques do not seem to suffice, then do try going in for authentic adaptogenic supplements. Authentic adaptogenic supplements take into account the synergy between various herbs in tackling multiple body issues. Hence, one can have a combination of various adaptogens, replacing each with the other at regular intervals so that one does not become resistant to a particular adaptogen. 

Our immune system helps us stand tall and fight against the bacterias or viruses that try to enter our bodies. So, it’s natural if we would want to boost our immune system and make it stronger than ever.