Are stress factors in your life building? Stress can seriously impact our quality of life (our longevity, our vitality and our health) at mid-point and beyond. So, what can we do?!!
#1 Cut the caffeine. Make no mistake, excess caffeine* whether in the form of a cup of java, black tea, a regular pick-me-up drink of coke or a favorite diet pill can undermine your health in three ways.
- Caffeine dehydrates you and most of us are walking around significantly dehydrated.
- Caffeine stimulates the production of stress hormones.
- Caffeine can rob you of quality deep sleep.
All three of these factors can contribute to the breakdown of your cells, the impairment of your immune system, and increase your susceptibility to life threatening diseases. So for ways to gradually reduce your caffeine intake, read this article written by a physician or pick up Stephen Cherniske’s book, “The Metabolic Plan, Stay Younger Longer.” Although the title is not very sexy, this nutritional biochemist makes reading about your health energizing and motivating.
*The amount of caffeine that you can consume without serious side effects varies from person to person depending on your size, sex and other factors. Women detoxify caffeine out of the body much more slowly than men primarily due to the size of their liver. Stephen Cherniske suggests, however, that if you take in 24 oz. or more of caffeine drinks per day you are in the danger zone, others suggest 5 caffeine drinks a day puts you there.
Since first writing this article I am finding just how divided the medical community is about the impact of caffeine. As I mentioned earlier, it depends on how it affects you. Consider experimenting with the amount you consume and see how you feel physically and emotionally.
And, let me know your experience with caffeine!
