Stress The New Predator

Maintaining a healthy body requires a large amount of effort on our part. Exercise and eating well are essential, but maintaining health also means our minds must be healthy. This week we'll go off topic a little an talk about Stress. There’s an undeniably strong link between the body and mind. Yet we do little to manage our stress from day to day. Recent research shows that 75% of doctor visits are related to stress. Stress in short durations is considered healthy and is shown to stimulate the immune function. Chronic stress on the other hand has been linked with many diseases.

Humans are equipped with a physiological alarm system known as the fight or flight response. The pioneer of stress research, Walter Cannon, described the flight or fight response as an inherent response to danger. When animals are in danger, stress hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine and norepinephrine are released to incite the strength and energy to fight or run away. Although modern society is not faced with the same dangers, we can say that everyday stress has now become the predator of today. Unfortunately, instead of occasionally coming across a threat, our life is now riddled with worry. Whether that worry is about money, health, relationship, work, politics etc. we have created an environment of constant stress.

Many of the diseases linked to chronic stress can be attributed to the endocrinological response to the neurological input. In response to stress, the hypothalamus triggers two responses that stimulate the release of stress hormones. Diseases like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and compromised immune function have been linked to stress.

One response to stress induces the release of CRH (Corticotropin Releasing Hormone) that, in turn, stimulates the release of ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone), which then stimulates the release of glucocorticoid and mineralcorticoids. The glucocorticoid “cortisol” increases energy by increasing blood sugar levels and by breaking down fat and converting it to energy. Too much stimulation of cortisol, on the other hand, has been shown to increase insulin resistance, contributing to diabetes. Long exposure to cortisol has also been linked to immune dysfunction. I say dysfunction because on one hand cortisol inhibits immune activity, but on the other hand it increases inflammation. Decreases to the defense system of our body can increase cancer risk and infections. Higher levels of “aldosterone”, another glucocorticoid signals the kidneys to retain sodium (salt), increasing blood pressure and leading to cardiovascular disease like arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis.

In the second stress response, the hypothalamus sends a direct neurological signal to the adrenals causing the release of the catecholamines norepinephrine and epinephrine. Norepinephrine and epinephrine contribute to cardiovascular disease by increasing blood pressure. They also reduce gastrointestinal circulation which decreases production of the stomach lining, our own protection from stomach acid, leading to peptic ulcers.

Now that you can see how harmful stress is, let’s examine some techniques that can help us balance our everyday lives. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that act on the pleasure center of the brain, known as the limbic system. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins, helping us to feel calm. Exercise also helps to combat the effects of chronic stress reducing the incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, as well as regulating inflammatory response and boosting the immune system. Another way to combat stress is through meditation. There are many types of meditation styles for different types of people. Some styles of meditation, like qi gong, require movement and others, like mindful meditation, don’t. Whatever your flavor the positive health benefits are the same. Meditation, no matter the type, helps the practitioner cope with stress by transforming the way we react to and view stress. In Sanskrit the word yoga means to unite. Yoga is a both an exercise and meditation. Like exercise and meditation yoga helps to both reduce stress and improve health. These are only some examples of how to transform stress and improve health. There are many more techniques that can be used to reduce stress. Whatever your preferences go forth and relax. 

Written by Dr. Jorge Lopez

Dr. Lopez is an Asheville based naturopath that helps people using natural means. Please visit http://drjlopeznd.wix.com/solointegrative or call (828)581-4018 further information

Edited by Ansley Rawlins a blogger, social/environmental activist and health enthusiast based out of Charlotte North Carolina. You can find Ansley's work on Mahogany's vision: social and environmental advocacy Facebook page.