This week’s minute looks at how severe stress may increase your risk for developing an autoimmune disease.
A recent study suggests trauma or intense stress may lead to developing an autoimmune disease.
Your body’s immune system is your natural defense protection from disease and infection.
Autoimmune diseases turn your body’s defense system against itself by attacking healthy cells.
Researchers found stress to be linked with a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.
It is also important to look at the impact stress has on lifestyle.
For example, people who have been through severely stressful circumstances may be more likely to smoke, get less sleep or have increased drug and/or alcohol use — all being linked to an increased risk of certain autoimmune diseases.
Some proactive steps you can take to reduce the impact stress has on your immune system:
– Eat a diet high in antioxidant-rich foods like fruit, vegetables, dark chocolate, and green tea.
– Get daily physical exercise.
– Start a daily meditation practice.
– Get plenty of sleep.
And of course, chiropractic care has been found to help people better manage their stress.
Get regular chiropractic checkups for the whole family, and make sure your spine and your brain are working the best they can.
Your health will be better because of it.
And that is this week’s Family Health Minute.
