Is work stressing you out? Researchers hope to prove a natural stress remedy

People who are experiencing high levels of work stress are invited to participate in a new Southern Cross University study.

The study will investigate the effect of a nutritional medicine in the management of stress. It will look at the effect of the supplement on a person’s ability to cope with stressful environments and situations.

The study has been funded through a $135,000 National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant won by SCU researchers, Professor Stephen Myers, Dr Lyndon Brooks and Adjunct Professor David Leach in collaboration with researchers from the Swinburne University of Technology, Deakin University and the University of Wollongong.

Mullumbimby-based stress researcher Dr Joanne Bradbury is the University’s first ever NHMRC funded post-doctoral researcher and will coordinate the study under the supervision of Professor Stephen Myers, the project’s chief investigator. They will collaborate with Professor Andy Sinclair (Deakin University), Professor Con Stough, (Swinburne University of Technology) and Associate Professor Barbara Meyer (University of Wollongong).

“The awarding of this grant for a clinical trial in our region is an acknowledgment from the peak government health body that stress is as problematic for people living in the country as it is for city dwellers,” said Dr Bradbury.

“The study will look at whether nutritional medicines can help deal with stress. This is a worthwhile study as it aims to show that a nutritional supplement may be a valid option when dealing with stress. Our project highlights the real need for science to establish if there are effective natural interventions for stress management.

“When severe psychological stress is ongoing without reprieve, many people start experiencing symptoms of anxiety. Of course, it is important to address the cause of the stress in the environment and to try to minimise our exposure to stressful situations. However, many occupations are very stressful and a lot of people are dealing with stress on an ongoing basis.

“We believe that stress is further exacerbated by an underlying dietary imbalance, and that correcting this imbalance could help to reduce the burden of stress that is experienced during times of stress. I think there is a vital role for natural nutritional medicines to offer valid and effective options as a first port of call when people are dealing with stress.

“Currently, there are not many options for those wishing to minimise the potential harmful impact that chronic stress can wager on the body and mind. For instance, chronic work stress doubles the risk of heart disease and depression.”

Dr Bradbury said she hoped over time to establish a range of effective natural stress remedies which may include complementary medicine interventions, dietary adjustments, herbal and nutritional supplements and exercise and relaxation techniques that were effective in dealing with stress and helping to prevent its related physical and mental health issues.

“I believe there is a lot we can do to make a positive difference to our mental health but that the first place to look is to our diet, as any intervention may not be as effective if we have ongoing underlying dietary imbalances. It is important to get the foundation solid as a deficiency of many basic nutrients can in itself stress the body,” she said.

“If the body is already stressed, then when you experience a stressful situation at work or anywhere in your life, you might have an exaggerated response. I am hoping that our research can show that stress doesn’t have to be so stressful!”

Dr Bradbury said that modern people were suffering more and more from nutritional deficiencies because many of the foods that we have evolved with have been altered through industrial manufacturing processes.

“It is such an irony that the Western diet, as calorie-rich as it is, is becoming increasingly nutrient-poor,” she said. “Over time, we have processed a lot of the beneficial antioxidants and essential fatty acids out of our food supply.

“These very nutrients are now being shown to be protective in ageing and a range of diseases. Meanwhile, these widespread dietary deficiencies correspond with widespread stress and mental health issues.

“This type of research is really crucial to our understanding of how to deal with stress and distress and hopefully help to prevent more serious mental health problems.”

Dr Bradbury is seeking 110 participants for the stress and natural medicine project. To participate or find out more, contact Joanne by email joanne.bradbury@scu.edu.au or by phone (02) 6620 3649 or call or sent a text message to 0419 098 018.
Photo: Dr Joanne Bradbury (right) is looking for people to participate in the workplace stress study.