Stress, Inflammatory Symptoms and Aging

Breaking the toxic cycle, regaining wellness balance
By Dr. Linda Wright

If you feel more stressed than you did, say, five years ago, about half the population is with you. Whether the stress is mental, physical, emotional or environmental, it brings with it inflammation that can lead to premature aging. Stress in general contributes to poor relationships, affecting work and damaging health. First, it’s important to know the real physical effects that stress can have on our bodies. Over time, stress can lead to:

• Heart disease
• Glucose intolerance
• Nervous conditions
• Immune system disorders
• Acute respiratory disease/asthma
• Susceptibility to colds and flu
• Diabetes
• Allergies
• Depression
• Osteoarthritis
• Digestive problems…and several other ailments

Stress

Stress in and of itself is not a bad thing. As humans, we are designed to respond to it every day, sometimes with temporary bursts of energy that are natural and normal (the “flight or fight” response involved when hormones are released into our bloodstream). However, when chronic stress keeps us in a constant state of readiness, the body can become weakened and susceptible to disease.

Cells overwhelmed by inflammation

A certain amount of inflammation is actually necessary for healing, whether the damage is from injury, illness, toxins, nutritional deficiencies or stress. Think of what happens when you cut your finger. You may have redness (increased nutrients and proteins are carried by an increased blood supply to the injury site), swelling (additional plasma and healing proteins are brought to the site), pain (our signal to be careful of that area) and heat (white blood cells defending damaged tissue from microbes).

This cut finger example demonstrates homeostasis in action: the body tries to get all its systems back in balance by remodeling damaged cells. The redness, swelling, pain and heat gradually disappear. Once the healing process is complete, homeostasis returns the body to a natural, healthful state of balance. However, when the body is “overloaded” with chronic stress and excess inflammation, it can be literally worn down by the constant demands. Cells may become damaged beyond repair, and we can literally become old before our time, falling victim to both mental and physical problems.

Controlling stress and inflammation

Sometimes, we can be overwhelmed by the various types of stress that come with everyday life. These include mental stress, such as over-work; physical stress, such as exercising more than usual; emotional stress, as when we’re having relationship problems, and environmental stress from pollutants in our environment and food supply.

Let’s look at just one type of stress — emotional — to see how the brain and body respond. Suppose you get a letter from the government tax office saying you owe $40,000. Even if you have that kind of cash lying around, you’re going to feel stressed. Your brain will release chemicals called catecholamines that trigger inflammatory processes. One might be the release of insulin, a pro-inflammatory hormone.

Too much stress over an extended time period will cause insulin resistance, which is associated with obesity. That obesity (which itself creates inflammation) triggers the body to produce another pro-inflammatory hormone called cortisol, which creates more stress, and so on and so on. Clearly, then, controlling stress will help break this cycle of inflammation, and help the body return to its natural, balanced state.

Keys to stress management

The first step toward managing stress is to identify the things in your life that are causing it: marital problems, work pressures or illness in the family. Once you identify and understand these stressors, you can begin to find ways to change your environment and manage them. Support groups, exercise and certain nutritional supplements may help modify the levels of stress hormones and help the mind and body to re-balance. Try these techniques to help reduce stress:

• Practice the 10 Essentials for Health and Wellness.
• Enjoy physical activity every day.
• Eat nutritiously, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
• Seek out friends to talk to, or take steps to build your social support network.
• Take time out each day to sit quietly and peacefully.
• Try relaxation techniques such as yoga and deep breathing.
• Avoid excess alcohol.

If stress continues to be a problem despite your best efforts, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for help. After all, controlling stress, inflammation and the wear and tear they create are key to enjoying health and life for as long as possible.

Get Rid of Your Inflammatory Symptoms