Lactium® is my second choice for lowering high cortisol and reducing the type of anxiety that we see when cortisol is high i.e. anxiety that feels like an adrenaline-type surge. It is especially helpful when cortisol is high as you wake up. This can be confirmed by a 4 collection saliva test. The reason why Lactium® is the best choice in a situation like this is because Seriphos (a phosphorylated serine product) is most effective for lowering high cortisol when it’s used 3 hours before the high cortisol measurement and you can’t do this when anxiety and adrenaline-type surges happen on waking in the morning. This is where Lactium® shines. It also helps to reduce anxiety at other times in the day and to improve sleep.
The Lactium® research
There is research supporting the use of Lactium® for improving sleep, reducing anxiety and lowering high cortisol. The number of Lactium® studies are not extensive but the results are very promising and correlate with what we see clinically. Here are a few of them:
“The study subjects were (double blind) randomly allocated to ingest three times, 12 hours apart, two capsules containing either 200 mg of alphaS1-casein hydrolysate or bovine skimmed milk powder as a placebo.” They were then subjected to successive stress situations. There was a significant decrease of plasma cortisol concentrations and heart rate remained stable in the Lactium® group. The study conclusion is as follows: “On the basis of blood pressure and cortisol changes, these results suggest an anti stress profile of this alphaS1-casein hydrolysate in human subjects.”
48 participants exhibited mild to moderate degree of sleep disturbance and after 4 weeks of Lactium® use, “overall perceived sleep profiles in sleep diaries were significantly improved … represented by increased total sleep time and sleep efficiency, as well as decreased sleep latency and wake after sleep onset.” It was concluded that Lactium® “was well tolerated and could improve sleep quality, with possible cumulative beneficial effects with long-term administration.”
39 subjects were given a supplement containing Lactium® and theanine for four weeks. The authors concluded that “given its beneficial effects without notable adverse events, it would be advantageous to use these nutraceutical ingredients to promote better sleep quality” (and in a larger study).
You’ll see Lactium® referred to as alpha-s1 casein hydrolysate, hydrolyzed casein concentrate, and tryptic hydrolysate from bovine milk alphaS1-casein.
INGREDIA of France manufactures Lactium and you will see some of the studies have been initiated and/or co-authored by them.
The product I use is called Biotics Research De-Stress. It contains 150mg Lactium® in one capsule. I’ve had clients use 1-2 capsules at a time, based on symptoms and the relief they feel.
Lactium® works on GABAA receptors
What is really interesting is an animal study that reports Lactium® works on the GABAA receptor: A tryptic hydrolysate from bovine milk αs1-casein enhances pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice via the GABAA receptor
It was found that Lactium® “enhanced the sleep induced by pentobarbital sodium in mice. It also promoted slow-wave (delta) EEG activity in rats; a pattern indicative of sleep or relaxation.” The authors state that the effects are “probably mediated through the GABAA receptor-chloride ion channel complex.”
As you may already know, GABA is one of the amino acids I use extensively with folks with low GABA physical anxiety and related sleep issues. There is also compelling research on the benefits of GABA and theanine for improving sleep and easing anxiety.
I have found that many of my clients do well on both GABA (when GABA levels are low) and Lactium® (when cortisol is high). Lactium® can be used in the daytime and at night when cortisol is high (and so can Seriphos).
Seriphos and other ways to lower high cortisol
As I mentioned above, Seriphos is my first choice for lowering high cortisol and easing this type of anxiety, especially when cortisol is high during the night. Seriphos is a phosphorylated serine product and I find it much more effective than regular phosphatidylserine products.
If you’re new to Seriphos here is my blog post – Seriphos Original Formula is back: the best product for anxiety and insomnia caused by high cortisol
There are other ways to lower cortisol too:
- Relora – Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (Relora®) lowers cortisol and reduces stress and anxiety
- Forest bathing – Anxiety, stress and high cortisol: forest bathing to the rescue
- Reducing Wi-Fi exposure – Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health and may contribute to unresolved anxiety, SIBO, oxalate issues and high cortisol
- Tapping – Tapping (or EFT) for reducing anxiety, depression, pain and cravings, plus physiological changes in cortisol, heart rate, blood pressure and SigA
- Essential oils – Orange essential oil to alleviate PTSD, fear, stress and anxiety
Resources if you are new to using GABA and other amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using any of the amino acids as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances, including low GABA).
If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.
There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, self-medicating with alcohol and more.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find them all in my online store.
You can also find Biotics Research De-Stress in my online store (see link above for how to set up an account and purchase).
If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Have you used Lactium® for improving your sleep, reducing anxiety and/or lowering your high cortisol?
Have you also used any of the above approaches to lower cortisol or reduce anxiety too?
How quickly did each one help?
If you’re a practitioner do you use Lactium® with success?
If you have questions please share them here too.