Food supplements for stress, anxiety and sleep

Stress, restless sleep, anxiety... These common ailments can disrupt our mental and physical balance.

Between intense workdays and the unexpected events of everyday life, stress creeps into our lives and affects 1 in 2 French people. Stress is our body's normal reaction to new or unusual situations. But when it becomes chronic, it can have much more far-reaching consequences, particularly on sleep. Therefore, it's important to treat these disorders to limit their impact on well-being.

That's why, at Argalys, we've developed a range of products to combat stress and sleep disorders. Discover our dietary supplements designed to combat anxiety, stress, and sleep deprivation. A selection of active ingredients ideal for naturally regaining calm and serenity.

What is stress?

Stress is a natural reaction of the body.

To cope with these unusual situations, the brain triggers several chemical reactions, which break down stress into 3 distinct phases.

The first, the alarm phase, is an immediate reaction of the body to an external aggression. It manifests itself through physiological reactions such as an increased heart rate, dilated pupils, increased muscle tone, etc. The alarm phase lasts a few minutes or even a few hours.

The second phase is the resistance phase. This phase is when the body mitigates the first physiological manifestations of stress while drawing on its energy reserves. The brain then secretes hormones such as endorphins, dopamine, and cortisol to try to maintain balance.

The final phase is the exhaustion phase, which is the most energy-intensive. During this phase, the body draws on its energy resources, which can lead to serious long-term consequences such as depression, sleep disorders, or chronic fatigue.

What are the causes of stress?

Stress is a physiological reaction that occurs in specific situations or contexts. It can have multiple causes: work, relationships, diet, fatigue.

Work, for example, is a major source of stress, often due to heavy workloads, strict deadlines, or conflicts with colleagues. Interpersonal relationships, whether with family, friends, or romantic relationships, can also generate stress, due to conflicts, breakups, or losses. Regarding diet, poor nutrition can disrupt energy levels and bodily functions, contributing to stress. Fatigue, whether physical or mental, depletes the body's resources and increases vulnerability to stress. Furthermore, environmental factors such as noise, pollution, or traumatic events can also trigger stress reactions. The combination of these factors can amplify the effects of stress, making stress management even more complex.

What is the impact of stress on sleep?

As mentioned, stress greatly disrupts all physiological activity.

Indeed, during stressful and resistance phases, the brain secretes hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones disrupt circadian cycles, preventing the body from preparing for sleep. In addition, all of the reactions triggered by stress are designed to maintain high brain activity, which can lead to repetitive thoughts, anxiety, and worries. This mental state of rumination makes it difficult to fall asleep and can cause nighttime awakenings.

Forms of stress-related sleep disorders

These states into which stress plunges us make it difficult to fall asleep but also have many deeper impacts on sleep.

Insomnia

Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and early morning awakening. This sleep disorder is often exacerbated by stress due to the biological mechanisms it induces. The increased release of cortisol and adrenaline prevents the body from falling asleep and keeps the brain in a state of alertness and wakefulness. In addition, chronic stress keeps these hormonal levels elevated, making it more difficult to transition into the deep sleep stages necessary for rest.

Fragmented sleep

Fragmented sleep manifests as frequent awakenings throughout the night, due to stress-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Activation of this state increases wakefulness and disrupts sleep cycles. Repeated disruptions impair sleep quality and significantly affect cognitive and physical recovery.

Early awakenings

Early waking is often linked to stress-induced dysregulation of biological mechanisms. Cortisol comes into play here too. With consistently high levels, it disrupts circadian cycles and causes people to wake up before their desired time, which significantly impairs rest and worsens fatigue.

Stress and sleep: the vicious circle

Stress and sleep disorders maintain a dynamic where each factor exacerbates the other. Fatigue, often caused by insufficient or poor-quality sleep, reduces the body's ability to cope with stress and regenerate. When the body doesn't receive adequate rest, resilience to stress decreases and susceptibility to anxiety increases. Thus, stress-induced fatigue prevents restful sleep, and lack of sleep increases the perception and impact of stress, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that is difficult to break without a suitable solution.

What are the essential nutrients to combat stress and reduce sleep disorders?

To combat stress and sleep disorders, there are several solutions, and taking food supplements to combat stress and sleep disorders is one of them!

In fact, some supplements contain essential vitamins and minerals that help regulate stress and improve sleep quality. These nutrients play a crucial role in maintaining nervous balance and sleep quality. These nutrients include:

Magnesium, the anti-stress mineral

Magnesium is a mineral that plays a crucial role in the body. Involved in several biological mechanisms, it is essential for stress management. This mineral also stabilizes mood. Its action extends beyond physical and cognitive activity; magnesium promotes muscle and nerve relaxation, thus promoting restful sleep. Magnesium supplementation can therefore improve stress resistance and sleep quality.

Melatonin, guardian of sleep

Melatonin, or the “sleep hormone,” regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It is particularly beneficial for improving sleep quality. By restoring balanced circadian rhythms, it facilitates falling asleep and reduces nighttime awakenings. In addition, melatonin has anxiolytic effects by acting on cortisol, promoting a feeling of calm. Taking melatonin supplements can promote better quality sleep and reduce anxiety symptoms.

Omega-3 against nervous fatigue

Omega-3 DHA is essential for brain health. It has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects that protect against stress and sleep disturbances. It also helps regulate mood and reduce anxiety by affecting neurotransmitters like serotonin. Its effect on the brain also contributes to deeper, more restorative sleep. Taking omega-3 DHA supplements reduces stress and improves overall sleep quality.

Zinc against stress

Zinc is an essential mineral for mental and physical health, playing a key role in stress management and sleep disturbances. Like omega-3s, it plays a role in mood regulation by participating in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Additionally, zinc has antioxidant properties that protect the brain from oxidative damage, which is often exacerbated by stress. Adequate zinc intake can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Why take food supplements for stress?

Better managing your stress and overcoming your sleep disorders is crucial to regaining balance and well-being.

 A balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are crucial but are not enough to cover all the nutritional needs necessary to counter the effects of stress and promote restful sleep.

That's why at Argalys, we've designed a selection of dietary supplements to help you fill these nutritional gaps and combat stress and sleep disorders. Our supplements, enriched with magnesium, zinc, melatonin, and omega-3, are formulated to precisely meet your body's needs. Our carefully developed formulas are free of overdose and controversial additives, ensuring better absorption and respect for your well-being.

Incorporating a dietary supplement into your daily life, by starting a course of treatment, will allow you to combat stress and regain better quality sleep.

Our selection of cures for stress and sleep

To combat stress and fatigue in all its forms, we have developed a supplement rich in magnesium bisglycinate. Our uniquely formulated supplement combines magnesium bisglycinate, zinc and vitamin B6 . The synergy of the 3 active ingredients helps relieve muscle and nervous fatigue with just 2 capsules per day, as well as reduce the symptoms of stress, promoting better quality sleep.

Our second supplement is melatonin . This poppy and honey-based supplement guarantees rapid action on sleep and promotes sleep onset in just 30 minutes. Its convenient format allows for easy, daily use, acting on your sleep and anxiety in just 2 sprays. This non-habit forming supplement will ensure you get a good night's sleep and reduce anxiety.

Finally, our latest supplement, Omega-3 DHA Vegan , is enriched with algae extract. We have designed a high-dose formula with extract of marine algae grown in France, to limit the heavy metal content and ensure your well-being. With its high-dose capsules, just 2 capsules per day are enough to preserve your nervous system and act on stress. By maintaining regular intake of omega-3, you increase your resistance to stress and improve your sleep.