The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is responsible for regulating numerous bodily functions. Perhaps most notable being the body’s stress response. If the HPA axis is disrupted, stress related issues such as difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, physical and mental fatigue, and cognitive issues are likely to develop. Fortunately, you can support healthy HPA activity and alleviate stress-related dysfunction by supplementing with HoltraCeuticals’ HPA Balance.
What is HPA Balance?
HPA Balance is a supplemental product produced by HoltraCeuticals aimed at limiting the impact of stress, improving sleep quality, and supporting better cortisol balance. Issues of stress and hormonal malfunction occur when the systems of the HPA are unable to effectively coordinate with one another. HPA Balance helps resolve communication issues within the HPA axis thereby limiting stress and restoring healthy bodily function.
What Does HPA Balance Do?
Hormones regulated by the HPA axis have a dramatic impact on many bodily processes, most prominent being stress and sleep. HPA Balance helps reinstate appropriate interaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenals, which helps alleviate many hormone-related issues. Although its primary focus is on improving the body’s stress response, HPA Balance may provide many other benefits including improvement of the following areas: brain function and memory, cholesterol and triglyceride regulation, diabetes, elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, inflammation and pain, menopause symptoms, muscle growth, oral health, sleep quality and duration, and testosterone production.
What’s in HPA Balance?
HPA Balance is composed of a synergistic combination of herbs, amino acids, healthy fats, and other natural substances that help reestablish the connection between the brain and the adrenals. Some of the most effective stress-reducing ingredients found in HPA Balance are magnolia bark, ashwagandha, and L-theanine.
Magnolia Bark
Magnolia is a Chinese herb that has been used for centuries as a natural calming agent. In more recent years, magnolia in the form of magnolia bark has become a common inclusion in stress-reducing supplements. The bark of the magnolia plant contains several substances that help alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, protect the brain, improve symptoms of depression, reduce inflammation, and more.
Most people employ magnolia for its sleep-supporting qualities. Studies show that supplementing with magnolia bark shortens the amount of time needed to fall asleep, reduces sleep disruptions, and improves sleep duration. A major component of magnolia’s effectiveness is its influence on a sleep-influencing neurotransmitter called GABA. When GABA is released, the brain begins to slow down and prepare for rest. Taking magnolia triggers the release of GABA thereby promoting better quality sleep.
Magnolia further supports sleep and stress reduction by regulating the expression of stress hormones. Adrenaline and cortisol are the primary components of the body’s fight or flight response and may impede sleep if maintained at a high level. Research shows that the most restful sleep is had when adrenaline and cortisol are at their lowest values. Magnolia helps maintain the appropriate value of these hormones, which helps reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an herb that has been used for thousands of years as a natural way to relieve stress and improve neurological function. Adaptogens such as ashwagandha are particularly beneficial because they stabilize hormones and other substances relating to stress regardless if their values began too high or too low.
Cortisol is recognized by many as the body’s primary stress hormone. Its release from the adrenals can be triggered by a perceived threat, lack of sleep, hunger or low blood sugar, physical exhaustion, and more. If cortisol is chronically elevated or excessively deficient, the body may suffer from a wide range of disruptions including high blood sugar, increased fat storage, jitteriness, and more. The adaptogenic qualities of ashwagandha helps stabilize cortisol levels throughout the day, which can help reduce stress and its associated symptoms.
Research suggest that supplementing with ashwagandha can dramatically improve the stress response. A 60-day study composed of 64 individuals suffering from chronic stress found that participants who were treated with ashwagandha reported a 69 percent decrease in anxiety and insomnia. This contrasts dramatically to the placebo group who only experienced an 11 percent decrease of similar symptoms. Clearly, ashwagandha has an impressive effect regarding stress regulation.
L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid that is naturally found in green tea. In fact, studies show that L-theanine is responsible for the majority of green tea’s soothing qualities. However, more recent research suggests that in supplement form, L-theanine provides even more potent relaxation and stress-reducing benefits.
L-theanine promotes the transition from active beta brainwaves to the more relaxed and meditative alpha brainwaves. Beta brain waves are associated with excitability and an inability to focus whereas alpha brain waves promote a relaxed mental state allowing for greater focus and alertness. It is believed that L-theanine accomplishes this by triggering the release and activation of GABA, which as mentioned before promotes a calming sensation in the brain.
Stress can contribute to an increase in blood pressure as well as other factors of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, individuals who experience a high degree of stress, while also exhibiting cofactors of cardiovascular disease, are at a significantly greater risk of cardiovascular difficulties. Studies show that taking supplements containing L-theanine can significantly reduce blood pressure in stressed individuals while also reducing overall stress level. In some cases, reducing these factors can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues and protect against future dysfunction. If you experience chronic stress while also having high blood pressure, you may want to consider using a supplement containing L-Theanine.
Say So Long to Stress with the Help of HPA Balance
Stress has become a constant factor in the lives of many individuals. This is unfortunate as chronic stress can contribute to serious health issues relating to the brain, heart, and general well-being. One of the primary regulators of stress is the HPA axis. Disruption of this system can result in ever-worsening stress and systemwide malfunction. Fortunately, you may be able to break out of the stranglehold of stress and restore proper HPA activity by supplementing with HoltraCeuticals’ HPA Balance. Powerful ingredients such as magnolia bark, ashwagandha, and L-theanine provide significant relief of both physical and mental stress while also providing a bevy of other benefits. If you are sick of being stressed, consider supplementing with HoltraCeuticals’ HPA Balance.
