Stress: The term stress refers to any reaction to a physical, mental, social or emotional stimulus that requires a response or alteration to the way we perform, think, or feel.
Change is stressful, whether it is good stress or bad stress. Indeed stress is an unavoidable part of life. It can result in many things both physical and psychological. Pressure and deadlines at work , problems with loved ones, the need to pay bills and getting ready for holidays are obvious sources of stress. Less obvious are everyday encounters with crowds, noise, traffic, pain, extreme temperatures and even a new job or new person at work.
Overwork, lack of sleep and physical illness put stress on the body. Excess alcohol consumption and smoking, and the consumption of refined carbohydrates and fast foods such as takeaways, sugary foods cakes, Danish pastries, sweets chocolates, and excess coffee and tea and all sugary drinks, all lead to more and more stress on you and your body.
The body responds to stress with a series of physiological changes that include increased secretion (releasing) of Adrenaline, (Hormone/chemical from the adrenal glands above kidneys that promote heightened periods of activity), the elevation of blood pressure, acceleration of the heart rate, and greater tension of the muscles. Digestion slows dramatically, fats and sugars are released from stores in the body. Cholesterol levels rise, and there is an increased potential of blood clotting. This in turn increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Today most of our stresses are not the result of physical threat, but the body still responds as if it were. The increased production of adrenal, (glands over kidneys) hormones is responsible for most of the symptoms associated with stress.
It is also the reason that stress can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Increased adrenal production causes the body to step up its metabolism, (the chemical changes in the living cells by which energy is provided for vital functions within the body) of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to quickly produce energy for the body to use.
This above response causes the body to excrete amino acids, (essential chemicals present in proteins), potassium and phosphorus, (minerals essential for the body), in order to deplete magnesium, (mineral needed by muscles) which is stored in the muscles and to store less calcium. Further the body does not absorb ingested nutrients well when under stress. The result is especially with prolonged stress periods, the body becomes deficient in many nutrients and is unable to replace them easily. As a result many of the disorders that arise from stress are potentially the result of nutrient deficiencies, especially B Complex , which is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Stress also promotes the free radicals that can become oxidized and damage body tissues, especially cell membranes. This aspect of free radicals becomes most important as we get older and our metabolism slows down and our consumption of sugar in all its aspects really increases.
In a study done by Bruce Goldman in 2017, ref: Stanford medicine/news center/www healthcare, the journal of clinical investigation, the researchers learned that,” a set of immune cells called, macrophages sometimes instead of fighting foreign bodies and virus in the body became addicted to glucose, and instead of defending the body are now causing serious problems. Once these cells consume glucose, or increased sugar intake, the body responds by creating inflammation in that area to combat the new situation and this inflammation and resulting plaque build up causes problems and disease.
Conclusion: Prevention is a thousand times better than a cure. We need to take ourselves to hand and cut down our sugar intake in all its deadly forms and we need to slow down and be nicer to each other. If you think antagonistically then you will get exactly that same antagonistic flow back from other people and life. Just change your mind each morning and say to yourself, ok Dud, let’s find 3 reasons to be happy and content and determine to give a bit of that vibe to others” Let’s make an effort to not dump stress on others especially those close to us. Try it for a week and see what happens.
The most vulnerable part of the system is the spinal cord and its 24 movable bones that make up the spinal column and back bone. The spinal bones protect the delicate nerve fibers. Should the bones become jarred from its proper position the bones could compress the very nerve trunks it is supposed to protect. Such compression and interference of nerve flow impulses and the 85-100 billion cells can no longer function as a unit or work together. The purpose of Spinology is the correction of such interference. As a Spinologist I assist the body in the realignment of the spine. I do not diagnose or treat disease, or give advice about such matters. Regular maintenance of your spine will assist you to a fuller expression of your abilities. Come to the clinic this week and get adjusted.
Yours in Health
John Keane Spinologist