You feel the tension rising and know burnout is near. But what you may not realise is how stress quietly wears down your health from the inside.
The late nights and the constant hustle. Pushing through exhaustion under stress can feel normal, as everyone gets overwhelmed.
But what sits behind the fatigue, brain fog, and irritability may be something deeper: chronic inflammation.
“Everyday stress is temporary. Once the stressor is gone, your body resets. But long-term stress, whether from financial worries, unresolved trauma, or work pressure, keeps your stress-response system switched ‘on’. This triggers inflammation, weakens immunity, and raises health risks,” says Joanne Ng, Founder of The Pillars Psychological Services.
A Growing National Concern
Stress is no longer just personal, it is national. The National Health and Morbidity Survey revealed depression cases in Malaysia doubled between 2019 and 2023. Experts link this to chronic stress and burnout. Rising costs, job insecurity, and long hours leave many stuck in survival mode.
The signs may not be obvious. You may chalk them up to being “just tired”. But these can be early signals that inflammation is taking hold.
“When stress is constant, your adrenal glands keep pumping cortisol. In small amounts, cortisol keeps you alert. But prolonged elevation disrupts balance and damages health,” explains Ng.
From Cortisol to Chronic Inflammation
Chronic stress does not just drain energy; it depletes nutrients and changes how you eat.
“Stress shows up in different ways, but for many Malaysians, it often starts with the gut, like acid reflux or irregular bowel habits. Fatigue is another big one, especially for working adults who are constantly balancing multiple responsibilities. We also see a lot of sleep issues, whether it’s struggling to fall asleep or waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to rest. One of the most common signs that the body is under stress is tension headaches or migraines,” says Ng.
Beyond the aches and fatigue, stress takes a toll on nutrition, too. It changes how your body absorbs and uses nutrients, which affects how well you recover.
“Stress quickly uses up nutrients faster and can also reduce absorption”, says Cynthia Jetan, Consultant Nutritionist at LAC Malaysia. “Without them, your body struggles to manage inflammation and repair itself.”
It also drives cravings for quick-energy foods, often high in sugar, refined carbs, and fat, because your body is bracing for ‘fight or flight’. And the average Malaysian diet does not help.
“95% of Malaysians do not eat enough vegetables,” notes Jetan. “Meals are heavy on rice, noodles, and protein, but light on vegetables, fruits, or legumes. That means less fiber and antioxidants, nutrients your gut bacteria need to produce anti-inflammatory compounds.”
Without these nutrients, even minor issues take longer to heal. Colds linger, gut discomfort persists, and energy never fully returns. Over time, the damage deepens, with recurring infections, hormonal imbalances, skin issues, and greater risk of chronic disease.
5 Ways to Reset Your Body’s Rhythm
The good news? You do not need an overhaul. Small, consistent steps can pull your body out of stress mode. Here’s where to start:
#1 Take a 10-minute morning walk
Light activity and morning sunlight regulate cortisol and support better sleep.
#2 Pause for two minutes of deep breathing
“Just a few slow belly breaths instantly activate your calming system,” says Ng. “When life moves too fast, we often forget to pause and take that small moment for ourselves.”
#3 Eat regular, balanced meals
“Chronic stress drains key nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, and omega-3s,” says Jetan. “To counter this, whole foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats help replenish nutrients, provide steady energy, and protect against inflammation.”
#4 Reach for nutrient support
Food should always come first. But with busy lifestyles, supplements can be a practical way to stay balanced.
LAC Malaysia offers a wide range for targeted support:
- LAC Masquelier’s® French Pine Bark Extract with Original OPCs, a powerful antioxidant that is 20 times stronger than vitamin C, fights free radicals and inflammation.
- LAC Probiotic Complex 25 Billion CFUs, strengthens digestive health and nutrient absorption. Available in vegetable capsules, powder and jelly sticks.
- LAC Primax Fish Oil 1468mg, supports circulation and heart health.
- LAC Magnesium Bisglycinate 556mg, supports relaxation and eases muscle tension.
#5 Wind down without screens
Swap scrolling for a book or stretching. “Our phones often trick us into thinking we are relaxing. In reality, social media creates stress through constant online comparison,” says Ng.
Make Wellness Your Rhythm, Not a Reaction
Stress is unavoidable, but the damage is not. By listening to your body and making small, consistent choices, you can shift from reacting to stress to managing it.
“Take care of your body, and it will take care of you, even on your busiest days,” stresses Jetan. “Wellness is not a one-time fix. It is a rhythm, and it starts with intention.”
Product Highlights
A plant’s bark, hard skin or seeds are often the healthiest part… but also the most difficult and unpleasant to eat. And when we eat fruits and vegetables, these nutrients are often eliminated.
With LAC MASQUELIER’s® French Pine Bark Extract with Original OPCs, you can now have the benefits of a plant’s most nutritional parts. Extracting the goodness from the bark of French Pine and Vitis vinifera seeds, LAC MASQUELIER’s® French Pine Bark Extract with Original OPCs fuels your body with nutrients and antioxidants to boost general health and wellbeing. It also helps fight free radicals and toxins throughout the body, so you stay energised and alert.
To consume, take 1 to 2 tablets once daily with water or fruit juice 30 minutes before meals or between meals.
Each serving provides 25 Billion CFUs of active probiotic, including 12 strains known to be effective in maintaining good gastrointestinal and immune health. A capsule a day will boost gastrointestinal and digestive health, replenish good bacteria, overcome depletion due to poor diet, illness, chronic stress, and digestive issues, provides less occurrence of indigestion discomforts such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea and IBS, promote better nutrient absorption, hence improving immunity and overall health.
Take 1 capsule once daily with food.
Each softgel contains 1028mg of Omega-3 fatty acids, providing you with both EPA and DHA to maintain cardiovascular health, support joint health, and aid eye health. sourced from wild, deep-ocean fish and purified to reduce contaminants such as heavy metals, dioxins, and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), ensuring a cleaner, safer product.
Take 1 softgel once daily with food.
Helps calm the nervous system by regulating stress-related brain signals, relieving anxious thoughts and easing muscle tension. This promotes relaxation, making it easier to unwind, cope with daily stress, and enjoy deeper, more restorative sleep.
Take 3 capsules once daily with food. For new users, start with 1 capsule and increase gradually as needed.
