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.
where can I find Lactium?
Mary
Per the blog, you can find Biotics Research De-Stress (it contains 150mg lactium) in my online store (see supplements blog link for how to set up an account and purchase https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/).
I’m curious to hear if you do have high morning cortisol and anxiety? And if you’ve used Seriphos or GABA?
Please keep us posted with feedback here if you do use Lactium – thanks
where can I find Lactium
David
Per the blog, you can find Biotics Research De-Stress (it contains 150mg lactium) in my online store (see supplements blog link for how to set up an account and purchase https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/).
I’m curious to hear if you do have high morning cortisol and anxiety? And if you’ve used Seriphos or GABA?
Please keep us posted with feedback here if you do use Lactium – thanks
Hi Trudy!
I have suffered for 13 years with I nsomnia. I do see a FM Dr and have gotten nowhere with my sleep. I have tried GABA, Melatonin, CBD,5Htp, chewable GABA, liquid melatonin, magnesium, drugs etc. Will this lactium be ok to take if you have multiple food allergies like milk and eggs? I’m desperate. The only thing that helps me get to sleep is carbs, oatmeal, Qai but then I wake around 2:00am every night. I don’t pee when I wake up but my fasting glucose is 105 and 102 2 hours after a healthy meal? I think it’s the years of insomnia that has caused the high glucose /cortisol?
Thank you
Melinda
It may be an issue. Depending on the casein severity, I’ve had clients try it and then say stop if needed. I’ve not had anyone need to stop.
But I start with saliva testing and if high cortisol is causing insomnia I start with Seriphos
I have sleep issues, mainly staying asleep and little to no REM sleep, as indicated by my Oura ring. When I wake in the night between 2-4 AM, I often feel like I am having a rush of cortisol. I take Seriphos at bedtime, but the information in your blog indicates that it might be more effective to take Lactium. I have been tested and have a positive sensitivity to casein, so would that prohibit me from taking Lactium?
Ardelle
I’m not sure why you feel I suggested this. I have clients use Seriphos before bed and lactium in the night if they wake/have high night-time cortisol.
It may be an issue. Depending on the casein severity, I’ve had clients try it and then say stop if needed. I’ve not had anyone need to stop.
Can I take Lactium If I’m sensitive to casein?
I would like to knows about this too; I try my best to maintain a GFCF diet because I’ve heard casein is cross-reactive with gluten; in addition, it seems like dairy makes me moody. If Lactium is hydrolyzed/hydrosylate, will that make it NOT reactive for people who are gluten and casein sensitive?
I have wondered about this for a long time.
Thanks.
Lora
It may be an issue. Depending on the casein severity, I’ve had clients try it and then say stop if needed. I’ve not had anyone need to stop.
Uta
It may be an issue. Depending on the severity, I’ve had clients try it and then stop if needed. I’ve not had anyone need to stop.
Hi and thank you for all the great info! Tried Seriphos for elevated overnight and morning cortisol shown in salivary testing, done due to sleep disturbances – falling asleep and waking frequently. Seemed to be working very well but after some time had to discontinue due to increasing anxiety and heart palpitations. Very interested in the Lactium, have any possible side effects or reactions been noted outside of those with dairy intolerances? Curious how to take with AM cortisol, before bed or upon waking?
Sabrina
It’s typically very well tolerated. I use it with clients on waking (those with AM high cortisol). Please keep us posted
As an integrative physician I have used seriphos, GABA supplements Progesterone etc to help lower cortisol depending on the individual patients medical history, lab testing
Since Lactium has casein this could be problematic with patients who are IGG4/C3d positive for casein intolerance??
Shalom
David Zeiger DO
Dr Ziegler
Yes it may be problematic
Glad to hear you’ve had success with seriphos, GABA supplements, Progesterone etc
I have suffered with fear and stress upon waking for more than 15 years. It’s horrible. I know that I have stress/fear dreams/nightmares and have blames those but I don’t know if that’s correct. Which comes first kind of thing. i use GABA Calm on and off and like it but afaid the other ingredients might keep me awake so I have not taken at night. I don’t usually have trouble falling asleep. I also currently sleep with CPAP. Should I try my GABA Calm at night, get a different GABA, try Seriphos, try Lactium, OR? Recommendation? Thank you
Also I know that the added cortisol raises morning blood sugar. Everyone’s goes up but the extra cortisol increases it above normal.
Candy
I only have clients use Lactium on waking when they have high morning cortisol (based on a saliva test) and the adrenaline type surges of anxiety. I have them use Seriphos before bed if they have high night time cortisol (also based on a saliva test).
And if they have low GABA symptoms I have them use one of the GABA products. Many do well with GABA Calm, some don’t – a trial of a few nights is how we figure it out. If GABA Calm is too much at night they use a GABA-only or GABA-theanine product
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a saliva test. But it was high at the time. Dr concerned about wt gain/etc as a result. But no solutions given other than relax. Haha. Aminos have helped. But will explore using them for this nighttime problem. Will start by taking in evenings and then right before bed but I also have problems while sleeping (bad dreams) and when awakened by the natural rise in cortisol. Mine just goes too high. I’ll be experimenting. Thank you.
Candy
Glad to hear the amino acids have helped. Please do keep us posted how you go.
With bad dreams we also always address low vitamin B6 https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/vitamin-b6-improves-dream-recall-which-can-be-used-to-monitor-vitamin-b6-status/
Btw. Can you take seriphos or lactium with or while using GABA ?
Candy
I’ve had clients do both
Trudy, thank you for this post. I have been taking Medi-Herb Ashwagandha for stress, but I do wake up with adrenaline-surges, so would de-stress be a better choice? I have done cortisol testing twice in the past and my cortisol skyrockets out of range within 30 minutes of waking. I would like to try De-stress, would you recommend taking it before bed? 1 or 2 capsules? Should I stop taking the ashwagandha before I start taking de-stress? Thank you.
Leslie
I have clients use it on waking when they have high morning cortisol and the adrenaline type surges of anxiety, starting with 1 and increasing to 2 as needed after a week.
Thank you Trudy! I will give it a try and report back 🙂
Trudy,
I wanted to follow up and let you know that within a week, I no longer have the adrenaline like surges when I wake up in the morning. I am so impressed! I am sleeping better—I still wake up probably 2x/night, but I fall right back to sleep. Thank you!!!
How do I take the saliva test to determine my need for Latium? Why isn’t it mentioned in your book?
Annette
I use a company called Diagnostechs with clients – it’s called the Adrenal Stress Index and measures cortisol at 4 times in the day. It is mentioned in my book on pages 152 and 153.