Study finds stress management could reduce biological risk

Lifestyle and genetics as well as a variety of other variables both within and outside of our control have been linked to the development of metabolic syndrome a group of diseases that raise the risk of major health issuesA new study discovered that stress due to its proclivity to increase inflammation in the body is also associated with metabolic syndrome prompting researchers to propose that inexpensive and very simple stressmanagement approaches may be one strategy to assist in improving biological health outcomesThe research was published in Brain Behaviour and ImmunityHealthWe were specifically examining people in midlifea time that is critical to determining those who will experience accelerated aging Stress is an important contributor to several negative health outcomes as we age said senior author Jasmeet Hayes associate professor of psychology at The Ohio State UniversityThere are many variables that influence metabolic syndrome some we cant modify but others that we can Everybody experiences stress Hayes saidAnd stress management is one modifiable factor thats costeffective as well as something people can do in their daily lives without having to get medical professionals involvedLinks between stress and biological health are established but few previous studies have looked specifically at the involvement of inflammation in stresss connection to metabolic syndromePeople with metabolic syndrome are diagnosed with at least three of five factors that increase the risk for heart disease diabetes and other health issues excess belly fat high blood pressure low HDL good cholesterol and high levels of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides a type of fat in the bloodThe condition is also referred to as insulin resistance syndromeUsing data from a sample of 648 participants average age 52 in a national survey titled Midlife in the United States first author Savana Jurgens built a statistical model to gauge how inflammation may fit into the relationship between stress and metabolic syndromeInformation from respondents reported perceived stress blood biomarkers for inflammation and physical exam results indicating risk factors for metabolic syndrome were used for the analysisTheres not much research that has looked at all three variables at one time said Jurgens a psychology graduate student in Hayes labTheres a lot of work that suggests stress is associated with inflammation inflammation is associated with metabolic syndrome and stress is associated with metabolic syndrome But putting all those pieces together is rareInflammation composite scores were calculated using biomarkers that included the betterknown IL6 and Creactive protein as well as Eselectin and ICAM1 which help recruit white blood cells during inflammation and fibrinogen a protein essential to blood clot formationThe statistical modeling showed that stress does indeed have a relationship with metabolic syndrome and inflammation explained over half of that connection615 percent to be exactThere is a small effect of perceived stress on metabolic syndrome but inflammation explained a large proportion of that Jurgens saidThe results made sensestress is just one of many factors that can launch health markers into a state of disarray Other factors include a range of behaviors including inactivity unhealthy eating habits smoking and poor sleep as well as low socioeconomic status advanced age and being femaleBut considering that an estimated 1 in 3 American adults has metabolic syndrome knowing how to lower risk or prevent it altogether is important Hayes said The findings also add to evidence that stress and its connection to inflammation can have a big impact on biological health in generalPeople think of stress as mental health that its all psychological It is not There are real physical effects to having chronic stress Hayes saidIt could be inflammation it could be metabolic syndrome or a number of things This is another reminder of thatThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever