Biology of Stress

Under normal circumstances, we can react to and adapt to stress, with our bodies returning to a normal state of function, referred to as homeostasis. When stressful situations persist or last longer than usual, this accumulated stress or allostatic load can become too much for us. This accumulated load can have an effect on how our bodies function from a musculuar, organic, hormonal and even nurological perspective.
How we respond or react to stressful situations, thoughts or beliefs is dependant upon many factors. Genetics, diet and even past history can determine how we respond to the load. Also, whether or not we smoke, drink, exercise can all factor in to our response. Over repsonses to stress leads to an increase production of the adrenal hormone cortisol. High cortisol can and does lead to a host of chronic degenerative conditions, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.
Next, we will look at stress and our immune system.

Stress

For my first topic of discussion, I have picked stress. It is something that I have become very interested in over the last several years. For many who think they know what stress is, they maybe suprised to learn that what they think is true is not. For others, I hope that this will be an educational opportunity to not only understand what stress is, but how it can affect your health and well-being. Lastly, we will talk about creating strategies that can help you not only deal with stress, but also help you prevent the many chronic symptoms that can result from a maladaptive response to stress.

Welcome to my new blog. I'm new at this, but hope this will serve as an arena to not only share with you some of the latest news in health, diet and nutrition, but also serve as an open forum where questions can be asked and new ideas can be exchanged.
I will keep it fresh and new and hope to give you information that makes a difference in your health and well being.