Stress and the Endocrine System

Send us Fan MailStress and the Endocrine SystemNearly 80% of all health problems are stress related. What causes stress in our lives?Example: Driving in traffic when late to workCauses of stress NoiseExcessive junk food/alcohol consumptionSmokingEmotional pressures or deadlinesLife changes: birth, death, marriage, divorceHolidays/change in routineSelf-perceptionIsolationLack of sleepIllnessGeneral Adaptative SyndromeWhat is General Adaptative Syndrome (GAS)?Hans Selye called this pattern of stress the General Adaptative Syndrome: a pattern that begins with an alarm reaction, a stage of resistance and a stage of exhaustion. DefinitionExtended chronic stress depletes the body’s resources and ability to adapt. When the pattern continues untreated for long periods, the body’s ability to cope is compromised and illness results. How does the endocrine system respond to GAS?AdrenalsThis pattern of stress results in increased demands on the adrenals which are responsible for the most conditions associated with stress: suppressed immune response, increased loss of nutrients and minerals, poor digestion, and poor absorption of nutrients. AmygdalaThe amygdala plays a major role in the processing of physiologic and behavioral responses to stress and is characterized by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated high inhibitory tone under resting state. Human and animal studies showed that stress leads to hyperactivity of amygdala, which is accompanied by the removal of inhibitory control.Immune SystemChronic stress depletes the immune system which leads to illness, hormonal imbalances in adrenals, thymus, and other glands, which further depress immune function and further deplete the body. Stress promotes the formation of extra free-radicals that can damage body tissues, raises cholesterol levels, and the composition of the blood changes to make it more prone to clotting. PituitaryThe pituitary stimulates the release of more cortisone and cortisol, which inhibit the function of white blood cells. Stress causes an acceleration in metabolism, which triggers increased excretion of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and amino acids, and impairs digestion to the extent the body does not absorb nutrients well.ThyroidA growing body of evidence confirms that stress decreases levels of thyroid hormones [v] and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines lead to rapid decline in TSH and T3 and an increase in the inactive reverse T3 (rT3) [vi]. Thyroid and its hormones are truly complex.What are the negative results of this stress?Stress creates a great deal of damage such as:Digestion problemsInsomniaMemory lossDecreased sexual driveMore adrenalineRapid heart beatHigh blood pressureLowered immune functionSusceptibility to infectionsIncreased allergic reactionsMuscle tensionBack problemsAnxietyIrritabilityDepressionCancer How can you reduce stress?1. Breathing correctly - Deep breathing is very relaxing. It will decrease the drivers of addiction and bring you into balance.2.Eating real food - Make the food yourself. Read labels and avoid any product that has ingredients you cannot pronounce. Eat a lot of vegetables.3.Exercising regularly - Put forth the effort every day.4.Sleeping (Uncovering Sleep Secrets)5.Taking supplementsNutriwest De-Stress Formula (DSF) is an amazing help as they include glandulars. Bonus:Take a Day OffHere are additional resources for doing that:Book - https://www.amazon.com/Take-Day-Off-Receiving-Gods-dp-1546010157