Stressed out? You’re definitely not alone…we seem to be very good at upping the ante on life at every single turn. So, you’re probably curious about whether there are any good supplements for stress. And that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about during the solo episode – the first of season 3! 

In my own life, I’ve noticed that life just seems to get more intense with each passing year, even though my kids aren’t tiny anymore. Part of that could be my own response to my environment, but when I look at things on paper, I realize that over the last 5 years, I’ve written 3 books and started hosting a podcast, on top of all the usual things such as writing a weekly blog and newsletter and managing two instagram accounts. So maybe, just maybe, I have to admit that I’ve piled a lot on myself. And some days it feels really good. But sometimes, it all feels like a bit too much…so if you’re feeling stressed out and overworked, you’re not alone.

Stress is interesting. It can be positive and useful, like when you’re excited by a big project and want to do a really good job. Or, when it alerts you to something that is out of sync with how you should be living, like a negative job environment. And while it is totally normal to go through periods of stress, if you notice that you can’t remember the last time you weren’t stressed, it might be time to look at it closely. Chronic stress affects our minds and bodies on so many levels: from increasing feelings of anxiety to exacerbating gut health issues like irritable bowel syndrome. It messes with our sleep and even impacts our immune function. So even as a registered dietitian, I rarely have a conversation about healing without also mentioning stress. 

This is an episode for anyone who has ever had to deal with stress, which is everyone, so let’s dive in and talk about 5 common supplements for stress, the science and the reality.

Desiree Nielsen RD on The Allsorts Podcast

About Desiree Nielsen RD:

It’s me! So weird writing your own bio…but yep, I’m both the face and the behind the scenes of everything you see here on www.desireerd.com. I answer every email and DM and any time you like a post, subscribe to my newsletter or podcast or buy one of my books, you’re directly supporting this woman-owned biz and her family. Now for the official stuff….

Desiree Nielsen RD is the author of the bestselling books Eat More Plants and Good For Your Gut as well as host of The Allsorts Podcast, an evidence-informed wellness podcast. Find her on instagram @desireenielsenrd or Tiktok @desireenielsennutrition

On this episode we chat about:

  • 3 things I’m obsessed with right now, in the opening segment of the episode
  • What I personally do to help me manage stress
  • What supplements can – and cannot do – to support you in times of stress
  • What are adaptogens, actually?
  • The science, mechanisms of action and dosages for 5 common supplements for stress: rhodiola, ashwagandha, reishi, chamomile and l-theanine
  • The challenges in choosing plant medicines due to varying quality and efficacy
  • Who should NOT take a supplement for stress
  • Are there safe supplements for stressed out kids?

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners. If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We’re a small podcast and each share or subscription matters! It’s a totally free way to support the pod in less than a minute. 

We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN! I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

Episode Links + Recommendations:

Current Obsessions

Evidence-based Consumer Websites

Examine.com
Sloan-Kettering About Herbs Database

Specific Research Cited in this Episode

Ashwagandha
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6750292/ 

Rhodiola

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8266448/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9228580/

Reishi

​​https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34411377/ 

Chamomile

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31006899/

L-theanine

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30580081/ 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6836118/

Thanks so much for listening to this episode of The Allsorts Podcast, which is produced by myself and edited by Brian McCalman. I am grateful to live and work and learn on the unceded and ancestral territory of the Squamish, Musqueum, Sto-Lo and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. Find out which traditional territory you live on by visiting https://www.whose.land/en/