How Does Stress Affect My Inflammation & Immune System?

Stress can worsen and has been linked to the development of immune conditions, such as allergies and asthma, and autoimmune disorders (such as rashes and rheumatoid arthritis). Pain is a response of the inflammatory system, which is a part of the immune system. Stress can intensify pain, causing disorders such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Both conditions are believed to be closely related to stress levels.

In addition, cortisol is a powerful stress hormone that disrupts normal functioning of the immune system. Excessive quantities of cortisol suppress immune function, so that people under chronic stress are more susceptible to colds and other types of infection. On the other hand, too little cortisol can result in inflammation, allergies and autoimmune disorders.

The immune system goes on “high alert” under acute stress. Infection-fighting white blood cells attach themselves to the blood vessel walls, ready to depart for whatever part of the body is injured. If stressful conditions keep stress hormones turned on” for too long, the immune response is dampened in favor of the primary systems--the heart and lungs--that need the energy most.

What Blood/Biometric Tests Were Included in the Inflammation/Immune System?

P2 Level Immune/Inflammation Tests

C-Reative Protein (CRP) - C-reactive protein is a test that measures the amount of a protein in the blood that signals acute inflammation. CRP is produced by the liver and by fat cells. Your health care provider might use the CRP test to check for flare-ups of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or vasculitis. The test might also be used to tell if anti-inflammatory medicine is working.

Albumin - Albumin is a type of body protein made by the liver and is gauged by the amount of protein you eat each day. A low level of albumin may lead to health problems such as difficulty fighting off infections.

Fibrinogen – Fibrinogen levels are a reflection of clotting ability and activity in the body. Fibrinogen is an acute phase reactant, meaning that fibrinogen concentrations may rise sharply in any condition that causes inflammation or tissue damage. Elevated levels may be seen with the development of an acute infection.

Interleukin-6 - Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an immune protein IL-6 is released in response to infection, burns, trauma, and neoplasia, and its functions range from key roles in acute-phase protein induction to B- and T- cell growth and differentiation. In the same way it also increases the synthesis of fibrinogen, an important clotting agent. Albumin levels are decreased in the presence of IL-6. An uncontrolled or defective production of this protein most people often leads to disease and is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases and autoimmune disorders, such as liver autoimmune disease.

How Do I Improve My Inflammation & Immune System?

  • Eat foods lower in fat. It can increase immune activity and strengthen immune cells that fight infections and disease.
  • Avoid simple sugars, syrups, enriched grains, saturated and Trans fats, and excess alcohol.
  • Take immune supplements, specifically ones with ginseng as the active ingredient, helps activate your natural killer cells and other components of your immune system). Be sure to check with your physician before starting a supplement regimen.
  • Add fermented dairy products to your diet, such as yogurt. It can enhance the immune defenses in the stomach and digestive tract and decrease the development of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Add these foods to your diet: yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi (a Korean dish of pickled vegetables).
  • Include more pre-biotic foods in your diet such as: bananas, berries, asparagus, garlic, wheat, oatmeal, barley, tomatoes, artichokes, onions, greens and legumes. Prebiotic foods are non-digestible food fibers that stimulate the growth and activity of healthy bacteria in the intestines.
  • Exercise regularly for 30 minutes a day. It can raise your body’s pro-immune hormone levels to help resist injury.
  • Consistently sleeping 7-8 hours each night. It produces greater amounts of two specific disease-fighting proteins and boosts the immune system to fight against disease and infection. Studies have shown that people who get less than 6 hours a night of sleep have a 50 percent increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • Adopt simple stress management techniques, such as walking in the park or reading a book in a quiet room, reduces your vulnerability to illness from the common cold, minor infections and major diseases. If you have a chronic illness, stress can make the symptoms worse and it is even more important to manage your stress well.