Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) aka Feline Dementia affects many older cats, similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Dementia is a general term for symptoms like memory loss and impaired thinking, while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease that causes dementia and is its most common form. Feline CDS is a brain disorder that leads to gradual cognitive decline.
Knowing the signs of CDS and how to help your feline friend can significantly improve their quality of life.
What Causes CDS?
CDS occurs when harmful proteins, known as beta-amyloid, accumulate in the brain. These proteins damage the nerve cells essential for clear thinking and memory. As brain function deteriorates, your cat may experience confusion and disorientation. Understanding this condition helps you provide better care.
Signs to Watch For
Cats with dementia exhibit various changes that may concern you:
Confusion and Disorientation: They may get lost in familiar places or stare into space.
Social Changes: Some cats become clingy, while others may seem distant or not recognize familiar faces.
Sleep Issues: Expect nighttime wandering and increased vocalization, along with more daytime sleeping.
Bathroom Problems: Accidents outside the litter box can occur, even if they were once house-trained.
Activity Changes: Your cat might lose interest in play or show signs of restlessness and anxiety.
Recognizing these signs early helps you take action.
Holistic Approaches to Support Brain Health
While a cure for CDS doesn’t exist, several holistic strategies can support your cat’s brain health:
Environmental Enrichment: Provide interactive toys and puzzles to stimulate their mind. Establish a routine for meals, play, and rest. Use nightlights to reduce confusion during nighttime.
Dietary Support: Include antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. Some specialized diets for senior cats can offer additional support.
Natural Supplements: Discuss options like SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) or vitamin E with your veterinarian. These may help support brain function.
Stress Reduction: Maintain familiar routines and create comfortable spaces. Consider using pheromone diffusers to soothe anxious cats.
Important Note
If you notice signs of cognitive decline, consult your veterinarian. Conditions such as hyperthyroidism or kidney disease can mimic dementia symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes.
Understanding feline dementia empowers you to support your cat’s well-being. Recognizing the signs and implementing holistic approaches can enhance their quality of life. Keep your cat engaged and comfortable, and prioritize regular vet visits for optimal care.
What if the very hormone designed to help you survive is actually the reason you’re struggling to thrive?
My mother relentlessly saved and sacrificed so that she could enjoy her life in retirement. But two years into retirement, she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.
Here’s what I’ve learned since becoming a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner: she didn’t just “get” Alzheimer’s two years after retirement. It was building and building for years before that. She was making it worse with lifestyle choices: the over-exercising that women in their 40s and 50s often do, eating trans fats during the low-fat craze of the 80s and 90s.
Had I known what I know now, her outcome might have been different.
This is why I’m passionate about functional health. This is why thousands of practitioners are learning to identify and address the root causes of dysfunction before they become disease. If we can reach people in that gray space (when things are out of balance but before they become diagnosable conditions), we can change their trajectory. We can save lives.
As functional health practitioners, we see it every day: clients who’ve tried everything, followed every protocol, cleaned up their diet, and taken all the right supplements, yet they’re still stuck in that frustrating place of “I’m okay, but I’m not great.”
The missing piece? Understanding cortisol and its profound impact on every system in the body.
If you’ve ever wondered why some clients get amazing results while others plateau, or why you yourself might be experiencing symptoms that doctors dismiss as “normal aging,” this deep dive into cortisol will change everything.
What Is Wellness, Really?
Before we dive into cortisol, let’s get clear on what we’re actually working toward. At FDN, we don’t believe in “fine” or “okay.” We believe in abundant vitality.
Picture this as a spectrum:
The Right Side (The Medical Model): Symptoms → Sickness → Disease → Death
The Middle (Neutral Health): No symptoms, but no energy either. This is the “I’m fine, I guess” zone where most people live.
The Left Side (True Wellness): High energy, optimal function, metabolic fire, abundant vitality, joy for life.
Here’s the thing: neutral health equals a neutral life. When you’re operating from “I’m okay, I don’t have any complaints,” you’re not building empires, writing books, raising joyful kids, or showing up as your best self in relationships.
Good health, abundant vitality, is your birthright. It’s not just for the lucky few.
The Body’s Incredible Healing Power (And What’s Limiting It)
Your body is a self-healing machine. You know this because when you get a cut, it heals. When you break a bone, it mends. When you catch a cold, you recover.
But this healing ability isn’t infinite. If it were, we’d never age or die.
So what’s the difference between what your body can heal and what it can’t?
It’s a savings versus spending problem.
Think of your body as having a bank account called “Vital Reserve.” This is your innate intelligence: your body’s natural ability to function at 100% and fix imbalances before they become problems.
Where do you spend this precious currency? On your environment.
This has always been the case. Our paleolithic ancestors spent their Vital Reserve on not knowing if food would be available, dealing with harsh weather, avoiding predators, and navigating tribal conflicts.
Today? We spend it on mental-emotional stress, environmental toxins, and poor lifestyle habits that are constantly draining our account.
The main spender of Vital Reserve is stress.
The Modern Stress Problem: It’s Not What You Think
When most people think of stress, they picture this: work deadlines, traffic, relationship conflicts, financial pressure. And yes, these mental-emotional stressors are huge.
But there are two other categories most people completely miss:
Physical Stressors:
Sitting too long
Blue light exposure from screens
Too much coffee
Not exercising enough (or exercising too much)
Needing wine to fall asleep
Poor sleep quality
Environmental Stressors:
Depleted soils
EMF exposure
Chemicals in food, water, and air
Toxins our paleolithic ancestors never encountered
Plus, there’s the existential stress of modern life: What’s my purpose? How do I make my life meaningful when I’ll likely be forgotten in 100 years?
All of these are constantly withdrawing from your Vital Reserve account.
Meet Cortisol: Your Body’s “Energy on Credit” System
Cortisol is your primary stress hormone, and it’s actually designed to help you survive. When your environment throws stressors at you, cortisol says, “We need to put internal spending on hold and take all available resources to deal with this external threat.”
Cortisol breaks the body down for quick energy. We call this “catabolic.”
Why would your body have a mechanism for breaking itself down? Because sometimes you need energy RIGHT NOW. When your boss says, “This project is actually due in 30 minutes,” you can’t drive to the store, buy food, cook it, eat it, digest it, and then produce energy. You need quick fuel immediately.
So cortisol reaches for easy-to-break-down tissues like cartilage, tendons, connective tissue, and muscle, converting them to blood sugar.
Here’s the kicker: Cortisol is also a natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory. It masks the damage it’s doing, which is why it makes you feel amazing in the moment: clear thinking, quick reactions, pain-free movement.
Think of cortisol as your body’s credit card. You’re borrowing energy now and promising to pay it back later through rest, recovery, and healing.
When “Energy on Credit” Becomes a Problem
Throughout history, humans dealt with stress that was intense but occasional and short-lived. A wild animal attack, a natural disaster, a tribal conflict: these were serious but temporary.
Take a moment to think about this: Does this describe the stress in your life?
For most of us, stress is intense, constant, and never-ending. We wake up stressed, work stressed, drive home stressed, and lie in bed stressed about tomorrow’s stress.
This creates what we call “catabolic debt”: you’re constantly running up charges on your cortisol credit card without ever paying it back.
Chronic stress is not within our biological design.
Consider this: Anthropological studies show paleolithic humans worked only 15-20 hours per week. How many of you work only 15-20 hours per week? (And remember, “work” includes housework, childcare, and all the other responsibilities that don’t stop when you leave the office.)
They lived in close communities with cooperative resource sharing and had each other’s backs. Think about your own life: Do you know your neighbors? If you do, would they really have your back if things got serious?
Most of us are duplicating resources instead of sharing them. We’re all figuring out our own childcare, making our own meals, maintaining our own everything. There’s no interdependence, no shared load.
The cost of modern life is enormous:
70-80% of doctor visits are for stress-related illnesses
People with high anxiety are 4-5 times more likely to die from heart attack or stroke
Stress contributes to 50% of all illnesses
The Stress Response Curve: Your Roadmap to Understanding Where You Are
This is where it gets really interesting. Understanding this curve will change how you see your health (and your clients’ health) forever.
We all start in the green zone: Homeostasis. When you experience occasional stressors, cortisol and adrenaline spike, you handle the situation, then return to baseline to rest and repair.
But when stress becomes chronic, you move into the orange zone: Acute Stress. You’re constantly producing cortisol and adrenaline, never returning to homeostasis.
Here’s the thing: on your way up this curve, you feel AMAZING. Remember when you could pull all-nighters and still ace exams? When you could eat junk food without consequences? When you had laser focus for 12-16 hours straight?
That’s the acute phase. You’re running on cortisol, and it feels like superpowers.
Then you hit Peak Production. Your body says, “We’ve put way too much on the cortisol credit card. We have to cut back.”
Now you fall into the Compensatory Phase. Your cortisol numbers might look normal to a doctor, but the distribution is all wrong. Maybe you have too much in the morning and crash by afternoon, or you spike at night and can’t sleep.
Plus, you have a relativity problem. You’re used to feeling like Superman from the acute phase, so normal cortisol levels feel terrible by comparison.
Continue down this path, and you reach the Exhaustive Phase. Like a phone on low battery mode, everything still works but at 30% capacity and not for long. You’re devoting everything to just getting through the day.
The Hidden Cost: What Happens to Your Body’s Core Systems
At FDN, we focus on six foundational systems that chronic stress systematically shuts down. We call them the H-I-D-D-E-N systems, and understanding what happens to each one under chronic stress is crucial for practitioners:
H – Hormones DHEA is your anabolic hormone: the one responsible for building you back up after cortisol breaks you down. This is how you pay off your cortisol credit card. But when stress is constant, DHEA steps back and says, “I’ll come back when it’s safe to focus internally, but right now we need to keep spending on the environment.” DHEA becomes chronically low, which means your healing potential becomes chronically low.
Then sex hormones get the message: “We don’t have enough resources to fund fertility right now.” Sex hormones plummet, taking motivation and joy for life with them. This is when you get to that neutral state where you’re thinking, “I have dreams I want to pursue, but it’s just too much effort. I’ll just watch Netflix instead.”
I – Immune Your immune system is expensive to run. Under chronic stress, it says, “I cost a ton of money, so I’m going to operate at 30% capacity and not for very long.” Now you’re getting sick often, it takes forever to heal, you can’t shake that cough, and if anyone around you is sick, you know you’re going down.
D – Digestion Digestion costs a lot of energy to function properly. When you’re spending everything on stress, digestion goes into low-power mode. Now you’re only digesting at 30% capacity. Even if you’re eating the cleanest diet in the world, you can’t use it. You’re not getting the building blocks to repair or the nutrients your body needs to power metabolic functions at full capacity.
D – Detoxification Detoxification is another huge system that’s expensive to run. When your body’s bank account is overdrawn from cortisol debt, detox says, “I don’t have enough money to find these toxins, bind them up, and effectively remove them. So I’ll put them in storage instead.” Your body shoves toxins into fat cells, brain tissue, and bones, creating a toxic backlog that makes you feel slow, gives you acne, throws off digestion, and impairs hormone production.
E – Energy Production Your mitochondria can’t function optimally when all resources are diverted to stress response. This leads to that “tired but wired” feeling where you’re exhausted but can’t actually rest.
N – Nervous System Sleep, mood, and cognitive function all suffer. This is where we see the brain fog, insomnia, anxiety, and depression that so many people struggle with.
The fundamental principle of FDN: These systems don’t operate in isolation. You can’t just say, “Oh, you have classic hormone symptoms, so let’s run a hormone test.” You miss immunity, digestion, detoxification: all the other systems contributing to what we call “Metabolic Chaos.”
This is why the “take this supplement for that symptom” approach rarely works long-term. You’re not dealing with isolated problems: you’re dealing with systemic dysfunction where multiple systems are compromised simultaneously.
Real-Life Case Studies: The Stress Curve in Action
Let’s look at three real clients to see how this plays out. As FDN practitioners, we use what we call “clinical correlation,” which means we never look at lab numbers in isolation. We always consider how someone feels alongside their test results.
Case Study 1: Adam – The Acute Phase Crash
Profile: 35-year-old male, broker at a mid-size investment firm, former athlete still crushing CrossFit workouts
Symptoms: Weight gain, trouble concentrating, loss of muscle mass despite rigorous workouts, headaches
Doctor’s Assessment: “Your results are unremarkable. This is normal aging.”
Lab Results:
Cortisol sum: 9 (acute phase)
Four-point pattern: Way too high in morning, drops low at noon, crashes severely in afternoon, bounces back up at night
The Reality: How do we know Adam isn’t on the left side of the stress curve going up into acute phase? His symptoms tell us everything. If he were on the way up, he’d feel amazing and wouldn’t be in our office. Instead, he’s on the right side coming down from peak production.
His cortisol pattern explains everything: sky-high morning cortisol makes him feel wired and anxious, the afternoon crash leaves him unable to concentrate (not ideal for an investment broker), and the nighttime spike disrupts his sleep.
Even though his DHEA looks “normal,” when we compare it to his cortisol level of 9, he’s clearly catabolic dominant. He’s breaking down faster than he’s building up, which explains why his intense CrossFit sessions aren’t building muscle: they’re just adding more stress to an already overloaded system.
The Reality: Caitlyn’s cortisol sum looks normal, but the distribution is completely dysfunctional. She can barely drag herself out of bed in the morning, crashes hard in the afternoon (imagine trying to accurately record legal proceedings when your cortisol is plummeting), and lies awake at night because her cortisol spikes just when it should be lowest.
She also has a relativity problem. When she was in the acute phase, she felt like Superman. Now that she’s in compensatory with “normal” cortisol levels, she feels terrible by comparison. Her DHEA is low, confirming she’s still in catabolic debt despite the lower cortisol numbers.
Case Study 3: Maggie – The Exhaustive Phase Crisis
Profile: 43-year-old chef at a popular five-star restaurant, diagnosed with hypothyroid
Symptoms: Weight gain in hips and belly, trouble keeping up at work, depression, irregular menstrual cycle
Lifestyle: Working 60+ hours per week, consistently sleeping only 5 hours per night
Medical Status: Seeing a counselor, considering antidepressant medication
Lab Results:
Cortisol sum: 3.1 (exhaustive phase)
Four-point pattern: Way too low in morning, drops low at noon, slight bounce in afternoon, drops again at night
DHEA: Very low
Clinical correlation: Still catabolic dominant despite low cortisol
The Reality: Maggie’s body is operating like a phone on low battery mode: everything still works, but at 30% capacity and not for long. Her thyroid has downregulated because there’s literally not enough energy in the system to maintain normal function.
The depression isn’t just psychological: it’s physiological. Her body can’t afford to fund optimal brain function. Even though her cortisol is very low and her DHEA is very low, she’s still cortisol dominant and in catabolic debt.
This is why understanding the stress curve is so crucial. Three people, three different phases, three different approaches needed.
The Path Forward: Why Understanding Cortisol Changes Everything
Here’s why this matters for you as a health practitioner:
1. It explains why some clients plateau. If you’re not addressing the stress component, you’ll hit a ceiling on healing no matter how perfect the diet or supplement protocol.
2. It validates your clients’ experiences. When someone says, “I used to be able to handle so much more,” or “I don’t feel like myself anymore,” you now understand the physiology behind it.
3. It gives you a roadmap for intervention. Different phases require different approaches. Someone in the acute phase needs different support than someone in the exhaustive phase.
4. It highlights the importance of comprehensive testing. A single cortisol measurement tells you almost nothing. You need the full pattern plus clinical correlation.
The FDN Approach: Test, Don’t Guess
At FDN, we don’t just talk about stress: we measure it. We use what we call “clinical correlation,” which means we never look at lab numbers in isolation. We always consider how someone feels alongside their test results.
We look at:
Four-point cortisol patterns throughout the day (not just a single measurement)
DHEA levels and the cortisol-to-DHEA ratio
How stress is affecting all the H-I-D-D-E-N systems
The complete picture of metabolic chaos
Progress tracking with tools like the Metabolic Chaos Scorecard
Then we address it systematically through our DRESS protocol:
D – Diet: Personalized nutrition based on lab findings, not generic “healthy eating” advice
R – Rest: Sleep optimization and recovery strategies tailored to your stress phase
E – Exercise: Right-sized movement for your current capacity (over-exercise is just as harmful as under-exercise)
S – Stress Reduction: Targeted techniques for your specific stressors: mental/emotional, physical, environmental, and lifestyle factors
S – Supplementation: Targeted support based on actual lab results, not guesswork
This isn’t about generic protocols. It’s about understanding exactly where someone is on the stress curve and what their body needs to heal.
Key Takeaways for Health Practitioners
Cortisol isn’t the enemy. A lot of people talk about cortisol as if it’s the villain—commercials make it sound like cortisol just makes you “old and fat.” That’s not what cortisol does. Cortisol is a vital hormone for navigating stress. The problem is chronic stress disrupting its natural rhythm.
Understanding the stress curve is diagnostic gold. It explains why clients feel the way they do and gives you a framework for intervention. Different phases require different approaches.
Clinical correlation is everything. You can’t just look at lab numbers in isolation. A cortisol sum of 5 might be “normal” to a doctor, but if your client feels terrible and the distribution is dysregulated, that tells you the real story.
You can’t ignore stress and expect lasting results. No matter how perfect your diet protocol or how targeted your supplements, chronic stress will cap healing potential. There’s a ceiling you’ll never break through if you don’t address the stress component.
The body’s systems are interconnected. You can’t just “fix hormones” without addressing how stress is affecting immunity, digestion, detoxification, and all the other H-I-D-D-E-N systems. This is why comprehensive testing and systematic protocols are crucial.
Metabolic Chaos requires a systematic approach. When multiple systems are compromised simultaneously, you need a framework like DRESS that addresses all aspects of healing, not just isolated symptoms.
Your Next Steps
If you’re ready to master functional lab testing and learn how to identify and address cortisol dysregulation in your practice, FDN provides the training, community, and ongoing support you need.
Because here’s the truth: your clients deserve more than “fine.” They deserve abundant vitality. And you deserve the confidence that comes from knowing exactly how to help them achieve it.
When you understand cortisol (really understand it), you hold the key to unlocking transformation for every client who walks through your door.
Ready to become the practitioner who always knows what to do next?
The answer lies in data-driven functional health. The answer lies in understanding that robust health isn’t just about the absence of symptoms: it’s about the presence of vitality.
And it starts with the hormone you can’t ignore: cortisol.
Want to learn more about becoming a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner?
Discover how our comprehensive training program gives you the tools to master cortisol testing, interpretation, and protocols that get results. Because when you know how to test, you never have to guess. View an indepth case study here.
As our faithful companions age, they may face various health challenges, including tooth resorption. This condition occurs when the body begins to break down and absorb the structures of the tooth, causing discomfort and affecing your dog’s quality of life. While veterinary intervention is often necessary, natural approaches can complement traditional treatments and support your senior dog’s oral health.
Early Detection is Key
Tooth resorption can be tricky to spot, but attentiveness can make a difference. Watch for signs like difficulty eating, increased drooling, or reluctance to have the mouth touched. Regular home dental checks can help you notice changes early, allowing for prompt intervention.
Nutrition
A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is crucial for managing tooth resorption. Foods high in calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin C can support dental health. Consider adding bone broth to your dog’s meals for extra minerals. Some dog parents find success with raw diets, which can help maintain dental health through natural chewing.
Herbal Remedies
Certain herbs can support oral health and potentially slow the progression of tooth resorption. Calendula has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a mouth rinse. Echinacea may boost immune function, while green tea can help fight oral bacteria. Remember to use herb-infused products specifically formulated for dogs, and always check with your vet first.
Natural Dental Hygiene
While brushing remains important, natural dental wipes infused with coconut oil or aloe vera can be gentler on sensitive mouths. Dental chews made from natural ingredients like sweet potato or carrot can help clean teeth mechanically. For dogs that tolerate it, oil pulling with coconut oil can help reduce oral bacteria.
Homeopathic Approaches
Some dog parents find homeopathic remedies helpful for managing tooth resorption symptoms. Remedies like Calcarea fluorica or Silicea may support dental health, but should only be used under the guidance of a veterinarian trained in homeopathy.
Stress Reduction
Stress can impact overall health, including dental well-being. Implement calming techniques like gentle massage, aromatherapy with dog-safe essential oils, or relaxing music to help reduce stress levels in your senior dog.
Acupuncture
Veterinary acupuncture may help manage pain associated with tooth resorption and support overall oral health. This Traditional Chinese Medicine technique can be particularly beneficial for senior dogs who may not tolerate more invasive treatments.
The Importance of Professional Care
While these natural approaches can be beneficial, they should complement, not replace, professional veterinary care. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings remain crucial for managing tooth resorption.
Conclusion
Managing tooth resorption in senior dogs requires a multi-faceted approach. By combining natural methods with professional veterinary care, you can support your dog’s oral health and overall well-being. Remember, every dog is unique, so work closely with your veterinarian to create a tailored plan that best suits your senior companion’s needs. With patience, love, and attentive care, you can help your faithful friend maintain a healthy, comfortable smile well into their golden years.
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Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.
If your feline friend has been diagnosed with diabetes, you’re not alone. This condition affects many cats, but with proper care and a holistic approach, your whiskered companion can lead a happy, healthy life. Let’s explore how integrating natural methods with conventional treatments can help manage feline diabetes effectively.
Understanding Feline Diabetes
Feline diabetes occurs when your cat’s body can’t properly regulate blood sugar levels. While insulin therapy is often necessary, a holistic approach can complement traditional treatments, potentially improving your cat’s overall health and quality of life.
Nutrition is the Cornerstone of Holistic Diabetes Management
Diet plays a crucial role in managing feline diabetes. Many holistic veterinarians recommend a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that mimics a cat’s natural prey. This can help regulate blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy weight. Consider talking to your vet about switching your cat to a raw or homemade diet, or choosing high quality, grain-free premium cat foods.
Nature’s Support System
Certain herbs may help support your diabetic cat. Fenugreek and Gymnema, for instance, have shown promise in helping regulate blood sugar levels. Chromium is another supplement that may improve insulin sensitivity. Always consult with a holistic veterinarian before introducing any new supplements, as they may interact with other medications.
Keeping Your Feline Friend Active
Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and improving insulin sensitivity. Encourage your cat to play with interactive toys, create vertical spaces for climbing, or consider leash training for supervised outdoor exploration. Even short play sessions can make a significant difference.
Creating a Zen Environment
Stress can affect blood sugar levels, so creating a calm environment is essential. Provide quiet spaces for your cat to retreat, maintain consistent routines, and consider using feline pheromone diffusers to promote relaxation. Some cat parents find success with gentle techniques like TTouch or cat-specific acupressure.
Proper Monitoring is the Key to Successful Management
Regular blood glucose monitoring is crucial in managing feline diabetes. While your vet will perform periodic checks, learning to monitor at home can provide valuable insights into your cat’s day-to-day health. Ask your vet about using a glucometer designed for cats.
Complementary Therapies Give You Additional Options
Some cat parents find success with complementary therapies like acupuncture or homeopathy. These treatments may help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. Always work with a qualified veterinary practitioner when exploring these options.
The Importance of Conventional Care
While holistic approaches to feline diabetes can be incredibly beneficial, they should complement, not replace, conventional veterinary care. Regular check-ups, insulin therapy (if prescribed), and following your vet’s advice are crucial for managing feline diabetes effectively.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach for Your Feline Friend
Managing feline diabetes holistically involves a multi-faceted approach that addresses your cat’s physical, nutritional, and emotional needs. By combining the best of natural and conventional methods, you can help your feline friend lead a comfortable, happy life despite their diabetes diagnosis. Remember, every cat is unique, so work closely with your veterinarian to tailor this approach to your cat’s specific needs. With patience, love, and proper care, you and your feline companion can successfully navigate this journey together.
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Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.
If your feline friend has been diagnosed with diabetes, you’re not alone. This condition affects many cats, but with proper care and a holistic approach, your whiskered companion can lead a happy, healthy life. Let’s explore how integrating natural methods with conventional treatments can help manage feline diabetes effectively.
Understanding Feline Diabetes
Feline diabetes occurs when your cat’s body can’t properly regulate blood sugar levels. While insulin therapy is often necessary, a holistic approach can complement traditional treatments, potentially improving your cat’s overall health and quality of life.
Nutrition is the Cornerstone of Holistic Diabetes Management
Diet plays a crucial role in managing feline diabetes. Many holistic veterinarians recommend a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that mimics a cat’s natural prey. This can help regulate blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy weight. Consider talking to your vet about switching your cat to a raw or homemade diet, or choosing high quality, grain-free premium cat foods.
Nature’s Support System
Certain herbs may help support your diabetic cat. Fenugreek and Gymnema, for instance, have shown promise in helping regulate blood sugar levels. Chromium is another supplement that may improve insulin sensitivity. Always consult with a holistic veterinarian before introducing any new supplements, as they may interact with other medications.
Keeping Your Feline Friend Active
Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and improving insulin sensitivity. Encourage your cat to play with interactive toys, create vertical spaces for climbing, or consider leash training for supervised outdoor exploration. Even short play sessions can make a significant difference.
Creating a Zen Environment
Stress can affect blood sugar levels, so creating a calm environment is essential. Provide quiet spaces for your cat to retreat, maintain consistent routines, and consider using feline pheromone diffusers to promote relaxation. Some cat parents find success with gentle techniques like TTouch or cat-specific acupressure.
Proper Monitoring is the Key to Successful Management
Regular blood glucose monitoring is crucial in managing feline diabetes. While your vet will perform periodic checks, learning to monitor at home can provide valuable insights into your cat’s day-to-day health. Ask your vet about using a glucometer designed for cats.
Complementary Therapies Give You Additional Options
Some cat parents find success with complementary therapies like acupuncture or homeopathy. These treatments may help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. Always work with a qualified veterinary practitioner when exploring these options.
The Importance of Conventional Care for Feline Diabetes
While holistic approaches to feline diabetes can be incredibly beneficial, they should complement, not replace, conventional veterinary care. Regular check-ups, insulin therapy (if prescribed), and following your vet’s advice are crucial for managing feline diabetes effectively.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach for Your Feline Friend
Managing feline diabetes holistically involves a multi-faceted approach that addresses your cat’s physical, nutritional, and emotional needs. By combining the best of natural and conventional methods, you can help your feline friend lead a comfortable, happy life despite their diabetes diagnosis. Remember, every cat is unique, so work closely with your veterinarian to tailor this approach to your cat’s specific needs. With patience, love, and proper care, you and your feline companion can successfully navigate this journey together.
Post Views:146
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.
Do you ever feel kind of tight and contracted, like the littlest thing can cause you to spring up (or lash out) for no real reason at all? Or that you are overreacting to things that should be no big deal, and even as you’re reacting, you know you’re being dramatic about it?
Why am I even asking?
We’ve all done it before. It may happen again. Rarely, however, do we spend a moment considering whatever it was that just went down and whether there could have been a better way to handle it. All we can ever do when we’ve behaved or reacted in ways that leave us in a state of regret, shame, or needing to apologize to everyone in our vicinity is to try and do better next time.
Stepping back, taking a pause, and acknowledging this is hard, can be laced with shame and embarrassment, and is also vital to helping us continue raising our set point to become more compassionate, empathetic, emotionally available, and evolved humans.
We can meditate our hearts out, do yoga under a full moon by the ocean, and drink all the green smoothies in the world, but it’s only when we get pressed, tightened, and wound up that we can truly test whether we are taking those calm-making practices out into the world.
Our goal should be to be more spring-like – a slinky spring, a loosey-goosey one that can move and shake and wiggle, adapt, and bend as needed. Most of us, however, end up winding ourselves up even more in times of stress. If we don’t find a way to unwind, exercise those muscles, and use the tools we have, we instead wind tighter and tighter until we spring forth in a reactive mode.
When I see this happening to people (because it’s so much easier to see in others, right?) all I can think is how uncomfortable they must be feeling. Springing out like a Jack-In-The-Box never makes anyone feel good.
Learning to have kind and productive responses to stressful situations and triggers is hard. One essential key to limiting those stressful responses is by regularly finding ways to unwind. That way, when you start bringing attention to the tightening, you can catch it, undo it, and unwind it before you bust out in anger or overwhelm.
Best Strategies To help you Unwind
1. Move Your Body
When the body grooves, the brain moves. Not like inside your head, but it can help interrupt a pattern of stressful reactive thinking and move you into a more helpful state of mind and way of thinking. Get up from your desk, your chair, your bed, wherever you may be, turn on your favourite song of the moment, and just bust it out! Dance, dance, dance for a whole three, four, or five minutes. No? Then at least take a walk around the block. Breathe and calm. You’ll change up the blood flow in your body, you’ll get your lungs pumping a little and, most importantly, you can be a little bit silly. Silly goes a long, long way to unwinding.
2. Breathe
When we sit with our shoulders slouched forward, as most of us do when working on a computer or driving, we are limited to only being able to take quick, shallow breaths. When we do this, we switch our nervous system into fight or flight mode, making us feel more fatigued, stressed, and ready to fly off the handle. Make a point to frequently stand up, or at least sit straight, and take a deep, deep, deep inhale filling your chest and your belly. As you exhale, drop those shoulders down and back, keeping your chest open. This will feel so good that you might just want to do it again and again and again.
A slumped posture drains our energy and has been associated with increased feelings of depression and anxiety. Remember – stand, and sit tall, and breathe deep!
3. Get In Coherence
What’s this coherence I speak of? Well, it has to do with your breathing and your heart rate. The heart and brain maintain a continuous two-way dialogue, each influencing the other’s functioning. The signals the heart sends to the brain can influence perception, emotional processing, and higher cognitive functions. Heart rate variability is the measure of the naturally occurring beat-to-beat changes in heart rate. When we feel stressed or anxious, this beat-to-beat measure is more erratic and we experience cognitive impairment. When we have a steady beat-to-beat ratio, different from an irregular heartbeat, it is called being in coherence. We are better able to problem solve, feel joy and love, and think clearly and calmly in that state.
We describe positive emotions such as love or appreciation as coherent states because they generate coherence in the heart-rhythm pattern. Negative feelings such as anger, anxiety, or frustration are examples of emotions that lead to incoherent states and reflect incoherence in the heart’s rhythmic patterns. By taking anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes or more every day to focus on inhaling and exhaling calmly and steadily, you can move into a coherent state. This can have lasting effects throughout your day and positively impact sleep patterns as well.
4. Make A Date To Have The Time Of Your Life
Doing the laundry, washing dishes, commuting to work – these are typically not the time-of-your-life-moments that you will look back on fondly one day. But time-of-your-life-moments can actually happen every day if you decide to make it so. And when we are having the time of our lives, we are also allowing ourselves to unwind from stress and refuel our vibrancy. Try to make a date every day to do something, read something, watch something, be with someone, hug a tree, jump on your bed, blast some music… Something that invites you to have micro-moments that make you feel blessed, cherished, and most awesome.
And those dishes and laundry I mentioned (by the way, I love doing laundry – folding underwear pockets is my meditation of choice!), shift your mindset from the “I need to”, “I have to”, or “I should” to “I get to”, “I want to”, and “I can”. Acknowledge the blessings in the little things. It rewires your brain over time and this is one of the most little and subtle life-changers I know.
These intentional moments will unwind you, while simultaneously fueling you up and changing how your brain is wired.
5. Eat To Support Emotional Wellbeing
When we’re stressed, we are more inclined to indulge in contractive foods like salty snacks, alcohol, sugar, and other junk foods that contribute to our winding up. Try and bring a little awareness to this habit and instead choose warming, grounding, nourishing foods that are home-cooked, slow-cooked, made from scratch with loads of nervous system-supportive fats that will give you the reserves you need to truly feel the unwinding happen.
6. Focus on Quality Sleep
People of all ages feel cranky and tightly wound when they haven’t slept, or when sleep has been fitful or spotty. In the short term, sleep deprivation can negatively impact our mood, increase anxiety and make us impatient and quick to anger. In the long term, lack of sleep can impact our immune system and leave us susceptible to chronic inflammation.
A good night’s sleep has long been a struggle of mine – and I now have a solid system in place to facilitate sleep. You can read more about that here.
Life is undoubtedly stressful. We all feel the shift in seasons, the quickening pace of busy schedules and new routines. The best thing you can do to manage the Jack-In-The-Box syndrome of the wind-up is to catch it before you hit your breaking point, to pay attention today. Taking on these little habits every day will rock your soul and help your happiness flourish.
More Resources to Help You Unwind
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If there aren’t enough reasons already, add more leafy greens to your diet. Research has shown that leafy greens rich with the terpene beta-caryophyllene activate the CB2 receptor in mice models. Beta-caryophyllene is also believed to show promise in combating inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. Besides cannabis, beta-caryophyllene can be found in broccoli, basil, oregano, and rosemary, as well as many other common spices. Beta-caryophyllene may also reduce paranoia and some of the unwanted effects of cannabis. Alternatively, foods high in fat and carbs appear to be counteractive and lower the activity of the CB1 receptor.
Exercise
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Once you exercise stoned, you’ll never go back. Take our word for it. Get your runner’s high on! Medium- to high-intensity exercise has been shown to boost anandamide levels—the first endocannabinoid to be identified—and activate the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Research also has demonstrated that exercise significantly upregulates (increases signaling of) CB1 receptors and enhances CB1 receptor sensitivity. Anecdotal reports suggest that a brisk exercise for 20 minutes or more will make a significant difference and increase the pleasant effects from this phenomenon.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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If you’re not getting high enough you might not be incorporating enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Research of mice models has shown that omega-3 fatty acids increase the synthesis of endocannabinoids and upregulate both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The downside is that most people probably don’t consume enough omega-3 fatty acids to make a significant difference. However salmon or cod liver oil contain higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Some scientists have suggested that CB1 receptors may not even form correctly without the presence of omega-3 fatty acids, so every stoner should make sure they include them in their diet.
Cold Showers
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A cold shower will not only tighten your pores but potentially provide other benefits as well. Early evidence from mice models suggests that exposure to cold has been shown to increase endocannabinoid levels. Researchers observed that cold exposure was significantly linked to an increased density of CB1 receptors. According to anecdotal reports, a cold shower for at least 30 seconds will make a difference. Cold showers are somewhat unpleasant, however, so it takes a bit of practice to get used to 30 uninterrupted seconds under cold water. Say Geronimo and jump in!
Reduce Stress
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Chronic stress could be harshing your high before you even smoke, so find ways to reduce stress. It’s easier said than done, right? Chronic and emotional stress has been shown in rat models to downregulate CB1 receptors. High cortisol levels for prolonged periods of time, typically caused by stressful circumstances, also was shown to significantly reduce the ability of cannabinoids to bind CB1 receptors. Furthermore, researchers say there is evidence to suggest that the ECS needs to be functioning properly in order to adequately deal with stress in the first place. Maybe meditate or do another activity to chill out before you begin a session.
The Stress Less line of vegan gummies is formulated to help support energy levels and promote a more tranquil state of mind.†
Press Release –
Aug 26, 2022
PALMETTO, Fla., August 26, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– It Works!, an international, award-winning company specializing in health, wellness and beauty products, announces the release of its Stress Less vegan gummies, developed to promote a more calm and relaxed state of mind.†
Stress Less gummies are packed with key ingredients including Sensoril® Ashwagandha, L-Theanine, and Lemon Balm Extract — all designed to promote increased mental clarity and concentration while reducing overall stress.†
Sensoril® ashwagandha extract is a clinically proven adaptogen that has shown numerous health benefits to adults who have taken just 125 mg per day.†
L-Theanine is a water-soluble amino acid found in green tea and mushrooms, used notably for its relaxant effects.†
Lemon Balm Extract has been traditionally used to improve mood and cognitive function.†
Adults are suggested to enjoy two gummies daily, with or without food, as part of their daily routine to help them feel calm and balanced throughout the day.† For additional support on extra stressful days, up to four gummies a day can be taken. Stress Less is a dietary supplement that contains dietary fiber, and adults are advised to start at the minimum dosage and slowly increase the dosage to reduce the occurrence of gas and bloating.
Stress Less gummies are also fasting-friendly, containing 14 calories per 6g serving. Although expert opinions vary on the number of calories needed to break a fast, the general rule of thumb is to consume fewer than 50 calories to preserve one’s fasted state.
Actively taking measures to reduce stress can yield several health benefits, including a better mood, more restful sleep, and increased attentiveness. For a full ingredient list and nutrition facts, check out Stress Less Gummies on ItWorks.com today.
†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
SENSORIL® is protected under U.S. Patent No. 7,318,938 and CA Patent No. 2,508,478 and is a registered trademark of Natreon, Inc.
About It Works! It Works!, a Palmetto, Florida-based direct sales company that was founded in 2001, is known for its Skinny Brew, a premium coffee. The company’s innovative product line includes nutrition, lifestyle, and beauty products, including collaborations from celebrities, such as the world-renowned Dr. Paul Nassif. It Works! has received countless awards and accolades. For five consecutive years, It Works! earned a spot on Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000’s list of “Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America.” In 2016, the company was ranked as a “Top 20 Fastest-Growing Direct Sales Organization in North America” by DSN Magazine. Direct Selling News honored the company in 2017 and 2018 with its “Best Place to Work” award, and in 2020, It Works! received Platinum Status by the Consumer-Centric Recognition Program that’s hosted by Direct Selling News. The company has expanded into 23 countries and currently has over 150,000 independent distributors worldwide and maintains a debt-free status to date. With a strong brand culture founded in values of connection, friendship, fun, and freedom, It Works! continues to provide science-backed, real solutions for its community of entrepreneurs and consumers.
3 masterclasses: Relaxation & meditation techniques for well-being and awakening inner potential
New York, NY, December 20, 2016 (Newswire.com)
– FREE WORLDWIDE WEB EVENTS on 2, 3 & 4 JANUARY 2017 starting from Midnight
The New Year is a time for evaluating our lives and the year’s events, for resolutions to improve and transform. www.heartfulness.org/masterclass
Many thought leaders today recognize the inner universe of the heart as the next frontier in the expansion of consciousness, and thus in human evolution. The heart gives us inner strength, courage, innate compassion, empathy and goodness, and allows us to respect a diversity of opinions, ideas and ways of life.
Kamlesh D. Patel, Global Guide of Heartfulness Meditation
To better achieve these noble attempts at improvement, an effective set of techniques will be presented to the public in three online masterclasses by Kamlesh D. Patel, the spiritual guide and global head of Heartfulness, known to many as Daaji.
The Heartfulness Institute, a non-profit and the organizer of the event, today announced the series of three public web sessions, which are offered at no cost to all above 15 years of age.
The core practices of Heartfulness provide a practical and skilful approach to meditation, relaxation and self-development. They foster well-being and develop inner potential. This method is easily integrated in the midst of modern-day living.
Monday, 2 January: Relax & Expand Consciousness In the first class, learn the Heartfulness relaxation for physical well-being and the Heartfulness guided meditation on the source of light within your own heart.
Tuesday, 3 January: Unwind & Simplify In the second class, be guided through a simple technique of unwinding the mind at the end of the day, to let go of stress and emotions, rejuvenate and simplify your life.
Wednesday, 4 January: Connect With Your Inner Self In the third class, learn to connect with your inner self by listening to the heart’s voice. Observe your deepest feelings, make wise choices, and weave your destiny.
By attending these three classes, you will learn to:
ü Relax for physical well-being
ü Meditate on the heart
ü Experience transmission
ü Deepen your meditation
ü Unwind the mind at the end of the day
ü Let go of emotional stress & rejuvenate
ü Connect to your inner self
ü Observe your deepest feelings
ü Make wise life choices
ü Find inner strength
ü Nurture relationships
ü Find joy within
“Many thought leaders today recognize the inner universe of the heart as the next frontier in the expansion of consciousness, and thus in human evolution. The heart gives us inner strength, courage, innate compassion, empathy and goodness, and allows us to respect a diversity of opinions, ideas and ways of life,” said Kamlesh Patel. “We are confident that sharing the Heartfulness method will help you listen to your heart’s voice and thus master your life.”
Heartfulness is an inclusive and non-dogmatic way to experience and sustain inner repose, balance and peace of mind – some of the natural outcomes of this gentle, silent heart-based meditation.
“In the past, the Heartfulness practice was primarily available to those who discovered it by word of mouth, but now it is accessible to everyone through public conferences, online seminars and webcasts,” said Victor Kannan, the Director of the Heartfulness Institute in North America.
“Since 2015, at large-scale interactive events in India, Europe, North America and Australia, hundreds of thousands of people have learned the Heartfulness relaxation and meditation techniques. We are now delighted to offer online classes to the world.”
Origins and global presence:
Heartfulness is an approach to the Raja Yoga system of meditation called Sahaj Marg, founded at the turn of the 20th century and formalized into an organization in 1945. More than seventy years later, Heartfulness has been adopted globally by groups across civil society, government departments, schools and colleges and the corporate world.
In 130 countries, supported by 7,000 certified volunteer trainers, over a million people are practicing Heartfulness. This number continues to grow globally through hundreds of Heartfulness Centers worldwide.
Known to many as Daaji, Kamlesh D. Patel is the fourth guide in the Heartfulness tradition of meditation. Embracing the many roles of a modern-day teacher, he has that rare capacity that allows him to dive deep into the center of his existence in the heart, and simultaneously have a scientific approach to original research in the field of meditation, spirituality and human evolution.
Heartfulness Institute is a non-profit organization that promotes well-being and self-development through meditation, research and training. The Institute offers programs for individuals, corporates, government departments and the armed services, schools and colleges, rural communities and civil society groups worldwide, supported by certified trainers who are volunteers and who offer their time and expertise in this social cause.
