Is stress affecting how well you absorb nutrients in the food you eat? It could very well be.
A 2020 study by clinical psychologist and researcher Adrian Lopresti, Ph.D., suggests that excess or chronic psychological or environmental stress may have a negative effect on micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) concentrations. For example, magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, and niacin may become depleted due to physical and emotional stress.
Micronutrients are essential for biochemical reactions that occur throughout the body, including in the brain, especially during times of stress.
“During times of stress, our digestion can be severely impacted, influencing what we absorb from what we eat. So, we may not be absorbing the nutrients from food,” said Lopresti. “Stress hormones such as catecholamines and cortisol can increase the excretion of certain nutrients. During stress, we may require more nutrients to help produce energy and various hormones, which can impact nutrient levels.”…