Stress, Cardiovascular Health & Wellbeing

Stress has a huge and often underestimated impact on our wellbeing. The human body has mechanisms to manage isolated stressful situations, what is known as the “flight or fight” response in which adrenaline is released. Our bodies are also prepared to deal with longer term stress but managing continuous stress requires our adrenal glands to work very hard to produce large amounts of cortisol to keep us going. If not properly supported our adrenal glands may become exhausted and cortisol levels may fall dramatically impacting our resistance to stress, general wellbeing and cardiovascular risk factors.  Adequate nutrition can help support your adrenal system and thus improve your response to stress.

Poor food choices, high stress levels, lack of exercise and not enough sleep can result in sugar and stimulant cravings, promote weight gain, increase insulin resistance and the risk of diabetes, increase blood pressure,  lipids and cholesterol, dysregulate the immune system, lead to hypothyroidism, affect brain function and even alter the gut bacterial balance which is at the very core of some of the issues above.

A diet high in phytonutrients and fibre as well as good fats and healthy protein together with the right micro-nutrients and low in refined carbs, sugar, unhealthy fats and processed foods together with a health-promoting lifestyle are fundamental factors in managing cardiovascular risk, whether you have a genetic predisposition, family history or have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.

Pilar offers personalised diet and lifestyle advice to promote a healthy weight, help you manage stress, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, balance blood sugar and support cardiovascular and general wellbeing.

I offer a FREE 15-minute consultation to discuss whether Nutritional Therapy can help you and to introduce my personalised functional medicine approach.

I recommend a 4 month package, with bi-weekly consultations, to address the underlying issues, settle you on your new diet and start seeing positive results. The regular sessions allow me to follow your progress closely and amend the programme as your health improves.

You can also read a detailed description of our Consultation Process here