It’s well appreciated that reducing stress is overall a good thing. Much research has been done to draw conclusions about the effects stress has on the physiology of an individual. But new research has deepened the understanding of the effects on the immune system (Klopeck et al, 2022 as cited in Sciencedaily, 2022).
As advanced age begins, the immune system naturally begins to decline as cells malfunction or with worn-out white blood cells taking the place of fresh ones. Researchers used large data sets and questionnaires (national sample, n = 5744 age > 50) to assess levels of stress. These stressful events included items such as discrimination, chronic stress and life events.
As advanced age begins, the immune system naturally begins to decline as cells malfunction or with worn-out white blood cells taking the place of fresh ones. Researchers used large data sets and questionnaires (national sample, n = 5744 age > 50) to assess levels of stress. These stressful events included items such as discrimination, chronic stress, and life events. was significant.
However, past research showed that some effects of degradation of the thymus and T-cells is accelerated by factors such as diet and exercise. When diet and exercise were accounted for in the stress-immune age relationship, the effect was not as strong. This hints at a possible way to mitigate the damage of stress by exercise and diet.
Conclusion:
Research such as this paves the way for increased understanding the factors that are both out of an individual and more importantly what is in the control of the individual to help lower the damaging
effects of stress on the immune system.
References:
University of Southern California. (2022, June 13). Stress accelerates immune aging, study finds: Traumatic life events, discrimination prematurely weaken body's mix of immune cells. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 20, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220613150648.htm
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