--immune system and endocrine system work together to deal with stress
--stress response is supposed to be short-lived reaction yet today most of us stay stressed
--immune system becomes imbalanced, overproduces inflammatory cytokines
--immune system deficiencies and abnormalities in communication with the endocrine system influences susceptibility to chronic inflam dz, autoimmune dz (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) increases infections, osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, rapid aging, poor antibody production against vaccines (immune suppression)
--keep cortisol balanced via diet, nutrition, stress management
--mismanagement shortens your life
--adrenal glands-->exhausted-->impacts cardiovascular and endocrine systems
--stress-->adrenal release of cortisol-->drop anti-aging immune boosting hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
--tremendous body of research shows increased cortisol-->decreased DHEA
--when DHEA is normal, cortisol also normalizes
--low DHEA seen in immune compromise, arteriosclerosis, diabetes and lupus
CORTISOL
--helps maintain bodily homeostasis in the face of stressors
--counteracts inflammatory and allergic reactions
--controls the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates
--is "a very misunderstood hormone".
--in naturally low doses stimulates the immune system
--in high doses (synthetic drug form) can be immune suppressing
--helps counteract inflam responses
--when not available (adrenal exhaustion due to stress) inflammation continues unchecked
--too much and you have immune suppression
INTERLEUKIN 6
--In stress certain immune cells secrete pro-inflam cytokines: IL-1, IL-6
--worsens the Sx of autoimmune diseases and fibromyalgia (arthritis too)
--acta as a growth factor in several tumors
--some viruses also use IL-6 to replicate!! this is news to me
--causes calcium to be released from bone, promoting osteoporosis
--control cytokine release to enhance immunity and reduce degenerative disease
RESEARCH
--endurance athletes studied because excessive exercise mimics other stress in body
--heavy exercise-->tissue damage-->release of cortisol and IL-6 & others
--release of cortisol and IL-6 & others-->low DHEA & suppressed immunity
--plant nutrient called sterols and sterolins modulates cortiso, controls IL-6, increases DHEA --Professor Patrick Bouic, Intl Journal of Sports Medicine, n=220 double blind placebo
--marathon runners, before and after run, sterol & sterolin treated group has less IL-6
--profound effect observed in the balance between cortisol and DHEA levels in treated grp
--cortisol increased as expected in the non-treatment group-->immune suppression
-->cortisol "dropped in the group taking the sterols and sterolins" and DHEA increased
NUTRITION
--antioxidants: vits A, C, E, B6, B3
--selenium, zinc, magnesium, coenzyme Q10
--N-acetyl cysteine
--alpha lipoic acid (this is ALA, flaxseed oil is excellent source)
--essential fatty acids
--regular lean protein
--complex carb
--organic fruits and vegetables
LIFESTYLE
--positive attitude
--loving family
--friends
--effective stress-coping strategies
SOURCE
from http://www.drhoffman.com/page.cfm/216