Monday, January 23, 2017

OVERCOMING STRESS- A Prescription to Wellness

How Stress Can Make Us Sick
For our well-being, stress is so powerful that it can affect just about every function in our bodies right down to our cells. Stress can cause major weight gain, headaches, hair loss, dental problems, major fatigue, respiratory issues, digestive problems, psychological & focal disorders.  It is also known to affect the performance of our immune system - allowing for skin issues, colds, allergies and a host of chronic diseases. 

Stress management is important for more than psychological health; stress can greatly affect immune functioning, inflammation and even hormonal balance. Studies have shown that stress can reduce natural killer cell function. These are normally the cells that attack foreign invaders including viruses, bacteria and fungi. They are also the cells that patrol the body as the first line of defense against the development of cancer. 

Ultimately, it is not stress itself but HOW WE RESPOND TO IT, which determines its physiological effects on our body. There are simple techniques which we can use to help modulate our stress response. Available techniques include meditation, biofeedback, "emotional freedom technique" (EFT), prayer, and others which only help us to feel better and may also improve our health. EFT, which we teach in our center, can be particularly effective in removing emotional barriers to health and has been shown to be helpful for many illnesses when used in a comprehensive plan with other appropriate treatments.

"Stress Hormones" & Cancer
When stressed, the body responds to physical, mental, or emotional pressure by releasing stress hormones (such as CORTISOL, EPINEPHRINE AND NOREPINEPHRINE) that increase blood pressure, speed heart rate, and raise blood sugar levels. When chronically elevated, these stress hormones can corrupt the performance (and even paralyze) our immune system which can lead to osteoporosis, weight gain (especially the dangerous visceral fat), high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

These stress hormones are known to bind with cancer cells and stimulate angiogenesis, cell migration and invasion, leading to increased tumor growth and progression. Long term stress also increases blood supply that adds to the growth of cancerous tumors. (See Onco-Immunology)

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The 15-Minute Stress Reversal Fix
Take time in the middle of the day (or whenever stress is usually at its highest) to sit or lay down in a quiet place with your eyes closed. Calm your mind and relax your muscles. Slow your breathing down to long draws and exhales while focusing on the sound of your breathing and how your body 'deflates' as you exhale.  You will find that improved breathing techniques are also a huge part of stress management.  As you breathe, take account of all your muscles as the tension goes away. Stay in this zone for 15 short minutes.

Don't let stress take over your health. To manage stress, you need to re-train your entire body to acknowledge more than pressure and tension in your day. Try this simple routine within about 15 minute intervals. (repeat if necessary).

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PROLOGUE
Current medical science has shown us the very close inter-relationship between the central nervous system and our immune system. Around every major area of our body where we find a collection of lymph nodes, around the thymus, around the spleen, all the areas which are important to the structure and function of our immune system, we find bundles and bundles of nerves. There's a two-way relationship and communication between the central nervous system and our immune system, and it works in a number of different ways, and cuts both ways.


So when we're happy, and feeling healthy, and doing things that we enjoy, feeling fulfilled, and have a good quality of life and lifestyle, we're getting our sleep, we're eating the kind of quality food and water that we should, then our immune system is happier. And it works the other way too. When we're under stress, when we're depressed, when we're not feeling well, we're being exposed to toxins that stress our central nervous system, then, guess what? The immune system is going to falter and fail. The close relationship between our central nervous system and our immune system is very important to understand as we strive for a centered life, a balanced life, a happy life. Be well.


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Doctor's Orders: Reversing Stress Does a WORLD of Good

Dr. Jesse A. Stoff is a world renowned integrative clinical immunologist specializing in treating cancer patients. In his 30+ years of success in restoring health and wellness to countless patients,  his clinical studies and experience found Chronic Stress to bring in a wide list of damaging effects on the body. But with awareness and smarter living, stress (and its effects) can be reversed.   See VIDEO on Stress and other causes of Immune Damage

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DR. JESSE A. STOFF is an internationally renowned physician with extensive credentials in clinical immunology and holistic medicine. A graduate of New York Medical College, he pursued extensive post-doctoral training including a fellow- ship at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital in LondonEngland. He has authored/co-authored countless articles and 8 books including co-authoring the bestseller "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Hidden Epidemic" and The Prostate Miracle.

This article is produced and written by the writing team at IMMUNOLOGY TODAY- The Official Newsletter of Integrative Medicine of N.Y. of Westbury NY-- Edited and co-published by Dr. Jesse A. Stoff exclusively for the purposes of this blogpost (Immunology Today) and rejuvenatesoliutions.com The publisher(s) hold all rights (c) to all elements, images and content herein.  All distribution, sharing or re-posting of this article is only with the express permission from Dr. Stoff and Integrative Medicine of NY (formerly Linchitz Medical Wellness). 265 Post Ave. Suite 380 Westbury, NY 11590  |  516.759.4200  |  www.StoffImmunology.com.   Rejuvenate! is a registered trademark of Intermedia Communications Ltd. All written content in this newsletter is produced by the Stoff Institute for Medical Research (SIMR) exclusively for private distribution at the Integrative Medicine of NY ©2016- All Rights Reserved.

DISCLAIMER: Integrative Medicine of NY (formerly Linchitz Medical Wellness) and Dr. Jesse A. Stoff make no claims pertaining to any of the institutions or funding information listed, make no warranty or guarantee of funding, and bear no responsibility and disclaim any liability for the privacy of communications or the outcome of any applications for the listed resources. No further information about any of the institutions nor funding programs (other than the links and contact information listed here) is available.  Written content provided in this article/blog is for informational purposes only; consult your physician before making any changes to your treatment plan.