Allostatic load: Balancing ourselves and our planet
By Dave Nelson
In today’s fast-paced world, stress is more than just a passing feeling—it deeply impacts our physical health through something called allostatic load. This concept is a critical part of the broader study of planetary health, which looks at the interconnectedness of our well-being, stress experiences, and the planet. In the natural health product industry, our mission extends beyond helping Canadians cope with stress—we aim to do so in a way that also nurtures our planet.
A vital aspect of this narrative is the emerging story of vitality and flourishing, which speaks to the deep interconnectedness of Earth’s ecosystems with human health. It’s a story that reveals how our individual well-being is inextricably linked to the health of our surroundings. From the air we breathe and the water we drink to the soil—and its microbiome—that nurtures our food, every element of Earth’s ecosystems plays a crucial role in shaping our physical and mental health. This understanding prompts us to look at health not just as a personal journey but as a collective endeavour that encompasses the well-being of our entire planet.
Stress, whether from work, personal life, or environmental factors, elicits a “fight or flight” response, releasing hormones and altering our gut health. While normal in short bursts, constant stress accumulates into what we know as allostatic load—a measure of the collective stress on our bodies.
This wear and tear from ongoing stress can diminish our vitality and resilience. However, natural health products have a protective role to play, particularly adaptogenic herbs, like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and holy basil, for example. These herbs, gaining recognition through advancements in microbiome and gut health research, help balance stress hormone levels and can even influence the gut-brain axis through the microbiome, easing the strain of allostatic load.
Our gut microbiome, a vast community of bacteria, plays a crucial role in this process. Recent research suggests that a healthy microbiome can positively impact our mood and stress levels, likely through the gut-brain axis. This connection highlights the significance of diet, including certain herbs, fermented foods, and probiotics, in managing our stress response and overall mental well-being. The vagus nerve’s role in connecting gut health to brain function further underscores this truly intricate relationship.
The link between individual health, natural health products, and planetary health is exciting to learn about, and its importance cannot be overstated. In this way, stress management becomes a full-circle concept, involving personal health, our living environment, and the planet.
To effectively reduce allostatic load and manage stress, we must embark on a journey. We must continue to look for the clues of connection, to understanding our body’s reaction to stress and its relationship to the planet. By acknowledging our profound connection with the planet, and by caring for ourselves and our environment, we contribute to a healthier, more vibrant future for everyone.