Health Revolution

Stress kills. Its potentially fatal effect on the heart is well documented. But new research suggests that it is probably the reason for everything from decaying gums to common colds. An article in Observer, the monthly magazine of the Association for Psychological Science, cites new research across psychology, medicine, neuroscience and genetics to conclude that stress is at the root of a whole range of health problems.

Stress encompasses the strains experienced by living organisms in their struggles to adapt and cope with changing environments.

When danger is perceived, a chain reaction of signals releases hormones like epinephrine (”adrenaline”), norepinephrine and cortisol from the adrenal glands. These hormones kick up the heart rate, increase respiration, and up the glucose levels in the blood – enabling the “fight or flight” reaction.

As these responses take a lot of energy, cortisol tells other physical processes – including digestion, reproduction, physical growth and some aspects of the immune system – to shut or slow down. Continue Reading »