^AIMComposure^tm - Do you need to regain your composure?

Whatever the cause, stress is a factor in many diseases. Stress may aggravate an existing health problem, or trigger an illness if you’re at risk for the condition. Various surveys estimate that stress contributes to 80 percent of major illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, digestive diseases (ulcers, ulcerative colitis), mental disorders, injuries, nervous system and sensory-organ diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, cancers, endocrine and metabolic diseases, skin disorders, and infectious ailments of all kinds.

Although we do not completely understand how illness and stress interact, researchers are looking into it. Indeed, the field of psychoneuroimmunology has emerged, which focuses on how the central nervous system and immune system influence each other during stress.

Whatever the cause of stress, the body’s physical response to stress is similar to its reaction to a physical threat. Your body reacts to face the "challenge":

A hormone called corticotropin releasing factor stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This signals your adrenal gland to release more hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol.

Adrenaline and cortisol prepare your body to respond to stress. Your heart beats faster, breathing quickens, and blood pressure rises.

Blood carrying oxygen and nutrients is redirected to organs that need more energy to function with stress, such as your brain and muscles. Less blood goes to your stomach and skin.

Potential energy sources—blood sugar (glucose) and fat—are released into your blood. Fibrin, a chemical that causes blood to clot more easily, is also released, perhaps to slow or stop bleeding in case of injury.

Many of these physical changes can hurt your health over a long period of time.

Immune system: Cortisol produced during the stress response may suppress your immune system, increasing your susceptibility to infectious diseases. Studies suggest the incidence of bacterial infections such as tuberculosis and group A streptococcal disease increase during stress. Stress may also make you prone to upper respiratory viral infections such as the common cold or flu.

Cardiovascular disease: Under acute stress, your heart beats quickly, making you more susceptible to angina (a type of chest pain) and heart rhythm irregularities.

When stress persists, increased blood clotting as a result of the stress response can put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Other relationships between illness and stress aren’t as clear-cut. But stress may worsen symptoms if you’re prone to certain conditions:

Asthma: If you have asthma, a stressful situation can make your airways overreactive and precipitate an attack.

Gastrointestinal problems: Stress can make your symptoms worse if you have a gastrointestinal disorder such as an ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome.

To help combat stress, change whatever factors you can. If possible, get out of the stressful situation. If that is not possible, there are a number of things you can do:

Exercise regularly: The natural decrease in adrenaline production after exercise may counteract the stress response. People who are physically fit handle stress better.

Relax: Techniques such as guided imagery, meditation, muscle relaxation, and relaxed breathing can help you relax. You can also focus on hobbies or activities you find calming.

Find a friend: Having friends and family members for support makes dealing with stress easier.

Eat a good diet: Be sure you get:

• Nutrients that help your adrenal glands, which stimulate the liver to convert glycogen (stored sugar) to glucose. These nutrients include pantothenic acid, vitamin C, and potassium.

• Nutrients that help fight infection that could result when ill or stressed. These nutrients include vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium.

• Nutrients that help keep the thymus, which produces the T cells that fight disease, from shrinking and working less in times of stress. These nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc.

• Nutrients that are known to help out in times of stress. These include B vitamins and magnesium.

• Best results are obtained by taking 2 capsules a day, before meals. You may take them with water or your favorite juice. You may take more or less, depending on an assessment of your daily needs.

• Shelf life is 3 years, unopened. Store in a cool, dry place (70-75 °F; 20.1-23.8 °C). Do not refrigerate.

Why do you use herbal extracts instead of whole herbs?

There is a debate concerning whole herbs and herbal extracts. One view states that whole herbs give you the synergy of everything found in plants, and that some of this could be lost when extracts are made. The other view states that extracts make it possible to control the amount of the active substances—you do not have to worry about "potency" changing from batch to batch. There is merit in both of these views, and we encourage you to study the issue and come to your own decision.

These herbs are also in ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend™. Why don't I just take this?

^AIMComposure™ was created because so many people experienced benefits from the herbs in ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend™ and asked us to give them the herbs without the fiber. You can, of course, take ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend™ and get some of the herbal effect.

Can I take ^AIMComposure™ with ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend™ or other AIM products?

Will this make me sleepy?

Some people do experience this effect, while others do not.

Do I need to take ^AIMComposure™ every day?

The needs of each individual vary. Some people feel it is useful to take ^AIMComposure™ only during times of stress. Others use it regularly as part of an overall health program. ^AIMComposure™ should be used daily during the period of supplementation in which you choose to use it (as opposed to taking it twice a week or whenever you feel like using it). There is no problem with daily use of ^AIMComposure™ from a safety point of view.

Is it better to take ^AIMComposure™ during the day, or should I take it at night?

Alfalfa
Affects: stomach, blood
Alfalfa is one of the green grasses, which are some of the most nutritionally rich foods there are. It is a source of chlorophyll, beta carotene, and minerals. It is especially rich in minerals, as it pulls up nutrients from root depths as great as 130 feet.

Irish Moss
Affects: lungs, kidneys, skin
Irish moss contains 15 of the 18 elements composing the human body. It contains vitamins A, D, E, and K and is also high in iodine and calcium.

Marshmallow Root
Affects: intestines, kidneys, bladder
Marshmallow root derives its botanical name from the Greek word altho, which means "to heal." Humbart Santillo, in Natural Healing with Herbs, calls marshmallow root a nutritive. Michael Castleman, in The Healing Herbs, notes that it is a digestive aid.