Excessive stress can make you sick

Regular exercise, yoga, meditation and other healthy lifestyle factors can all help reduce stress levels, to some degree.

by Dr. Nicholas Warner — 

It is no big secret that stress can affect a person’s immune system, but can excessive stress literally make you sick? Based on recently published animal research, Australian scientists believe the answer to that question is a definite “yes,” and they have discovered the substance responsible for causing stress-related illness.

The study was performed on a group of genetically modified mice that were subjected to different types of stress. The researchers found that under normal conditions, immune cells naturally produce small amounts of a hormone called neuropeptide Y, which activates TH1 cells (or “helper” cells) that seek out and destroy viruses and bacteria. Under extreme periods of stress, however, too much neuropeptide Y can be released into the bloodstream, which prevents TH1 cells from attacking pathogens even after they’ve been identified by the immune system.

While there is no escaping stress entirely, there are several ways to help reduce the amount we encounter on a daily basis. Regular exercise, yoga, meditation and other healthy lifestyle factors can all help reduce stress levels, to some degree. In addition, if you suffer from too much stress, talk to your doctor or chiropractor about ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life.

Reference: Wheway J, Mackay CR, Newton RA, et al. A fundamental bimodal role for neuropeptide Y1 receptor in the immune system. Journal of Experimental Medicine, Dec. 5, 2005;202(11):1527-1538.

Dr. Nicholas Warner is a certified massage therapist and a doctor of chiropractic with Wellness in Motion, Inc., in Phoenix, Ariz. He is an instructor for the Southern California University of Health Sciences and Utah College of Massage Therapy. 602-863-4252.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 25, Number 1, February/March 2006.