Stress has been defined by the authors of the Harvard Medical School Health Report on Stress Management.

In their report they write, “stress itself is defined as an automatic response to any stimulus that requires you to adjust to change.”

You might define stress as problems with your spouse, a sick parent that requires your help, bad traffic etc… These are called stress scenarios and stimulate the need to adjust to change. Stress is a physiologic response. It begins in our brain with the Hypothalamus stimulating the Pituitary which in turn stimulates the Adrenal glands.

This causes the release of stress hormones - epinephrine also called adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol. These alter circulation by increasing circulation of blood to some organs and decrease it to others. The eyes dilate, the heart quickens, and blood pressure rises and platelets become more sticky. It is called the fight or flight instinct and its effect on our physiology is very predictable.

Can food help stress?

This brings me to my title question. The answer is both yes and no. When we perceive danger has passed the effect of the sympathetic nervous system diminishes. It was the stimulus for all the events we described above. The effect of the parasympathetic system increases and causes us to become calm again.

Some herbs like Chamomile, a European flower related to the Daisy is said to have an effect on the parasympathetic system and helps us to calm down. Certainly stimulants like caffeine make it worse. Alcohol and other legal and illegal drugs can stimulate dopamine which makes us feel better but this artificial stimulus requires larger and larger doses to be effective and thus we develop an addiction.

Insulin plays a role in this also. Foods that are quickly metabolized into glucose stimulate insulin. Too much insulin stimulation too often and we become fat. The excess fat makes us resistant to insulin stimulation and causes the body to release larger and larger amounts in a downward spiral that can lead to less resistance to stress and glucose intolerance we call diabetes.

A mineral that may be helpful in moderating stress’ chemical effects is magnesium found in whole grains, beets and raisins. Raising our antioxidant levels by regularly eating fresh fruits and vegetables make us more resistant also.

Foods eaten in other countries have contributed to the longevity and health of the citizens of those countries. People in Siberia eat an infusion made from the plant Rhodiola rosea which seems to be connected to their healthy longevity. People in India are more resistant to Alzhiemer’s disease because of the regular use of Turmeric in their diet. Curcumin is the active ingredient that confers this resistance.

Exercise is very beneficial as it along with meditation release endorphins that are our natural hormones that relax us. The simple act of rolling up our eyes, pausing and rolling back down brings about a minor relaxation effect immediately.

If you want to test your resistance to dying in the next 5 years, put on your walking shoes, lay out a flat 1/4 mile course and walk it. If you take more than 6 minutes, you are 300 times more likely to die in the next 5 years than the person who can walk it in under 5 minutes.

Your homework

Walk more.

Experiment with different types of exercise like Yoga and Qui Gong (like tai chi).

Vary your diet and eat 14 ounces of fresh or fresh frozen fruits and vegetables each day. Get as large a variety as possible and drink more water. Try eating a little less also. We all eat too much. Maybe not all, but most of us.

I want to hear about how you are doing. Do you have a great success story? I want to hear it. Email me so we can arrange a time to talk. Don’t forget to read about Fitness, Fatness and Cancer Risk. At the end of that article I have an offer. Many of you may want to take advantage of it. I will only be able to offer it to 5 of you for obvious reasons. I look forward to hearing from many of you.

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