Natural Health: What supplement can I take to reduce my stress?

Plus: I developed arthritis in my right hand what can I do?

Even when you manage your lifestyle and diet, stress can creep back in and set you back says Megan Sheppard. Picture: iStock  

I was diagnosed with ME in my 20s. I got a lot of support from my GP and also changed my diet, cooking from scratch and cutting out ultra-processed foods. I also did mindfulness training, which helped me cope. I’m now in my 30s and mostly feel well, but sometimes I get a setback, particularly if I’m under stress. Is there a supplement you could recommend?

All the steps you have been taking are exactly what will keep you going from strength to strength. As you mention, stress is the wild card that can set you back, even when you are managing diet and lifestyle well.

ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), has long been associated with several viral infections, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). These viruses have all been investigated as possible triggers of the condition.

One influential theory, put forward by Dr A. Martin Lerner, suggests that such viruses may remain dormant in the body before reactivating under certain circumstances — such as stress and illness — potentially contributing to symptoms in some patients. However, researchers have yet to establish a single cause of ME.

As far as natural remedies go, many practitioners recommend mitochondrial support through supplementation of Coenzyme Q10, ideally in the form of Ubiquinol. This is a potent antioxidant that is a crucial component of cellular energy production.

Ubiquinol is often paired with NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide with hydrogen), a naturally occurring coenzyme found in every cell in the body. It helps convert food into ATP, the body’s primary energy source. Because of this, NADH supplements have been studied for their potential to help reduce fatigue and support cognitive function.

Metagenics make a 5mg NADH supplement, and you need to take two to four capsules daily to manage symptom flare-ups and one to two capsules daily for maintenance. You will also need to take 100-200mg of Ubiquinol daily. Both of these supplements are available from health stores.

I’m in my early 70s and have developed a mild form of arthritis in my right hand — it runs in the family. It’s very frustrating because I love gardening and knitting.

Arthritis has a strong genetic component, so it is quite common for the condition to run in the family.

It must be particularly frustrating when it is affecting your love of gardening and knitting, so protecting the joint and managing stiffness and pain needs to be your priority.

Boswellia, the resin of the Boswellia serrata tree, works to relieve inflammation by reducing vessel constriction. Not only is this a useful supplement to help with arthritis, it can also be used to treat headaches, menstrual cramps, sports injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are vital for joint lubrication and inflammation management. You can get these in through your diet via nuts, seeds, and oily fish or take them in supplement form.

A combination of glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin supplement is another popular choice for long-term joint protection. Glucosamine helps to lubricate joints and assist in the maintenance and repair of cartilage, while chondroitin attracts fluid and nutrients into the cartilage.

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are available from health stores in a range of strengths and forms.

It is worth noting that most glucosamine is derived from crustacean sources, and chondroitin is typically either bovine (cow) or porcine (pig) derived, so if you have any specific allergies, you might want to be aware of this.

• NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.