The body is a remarkable system that should not be taken for granted. I, for one, after continual study of the body for going on 7 years of intense study I am completely in awe of how sensitive yet how strong it is. As some of you know I have been doing some form of martial art for going on twelve years. I could amaze you how small pressure can topple the body and how so little effort could send a man off his/her feet.
Now with that in mind I want to take you to your body's cellular level and show you how sensitive yet how strong it is. The first system to introduce you too that has been called the Final Common Pathway or Stress Pathway helps the body cope with the stress placed upon it whether it be Bacterial, Viral, Fungi, Environmental, and/or Mental Emotional stress to name a few.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) is a neuroendocrine system that regulates the reactions to stress, energy storage, and the immune system. Cytokines (chemical messengers) act at several levels of the HPA axis to induce the release of cortisol and epinephrine. Cortisol and epinephrine act to suppress the immune response, thus forming a negative feedback loop.(1) Long-term abuse of this system often leads to Alzheimer’s, Depression and Diabetes to name a few.
Constant activation of the HPA axis (stress-induced) will cause a weakened Neuro-Endocrine-Immune (NEI) system.
The NEI system is your main wiring system between each of the 10 systems in your body. Of the the most important and most easily accessible is the immune system. A break in any 4 barriers (skin, lungs, gut and blood-brain barrier) will increase demand on the immune system.
The immune system protects the body against foreign challenges by its ability to differentiate between the body's own cells and foreign materials. Upon encounter with viruses, bacteria, toxins, or fungi, the immune system recognizes the molecular components of the foreign antigen and a response is activated to appropriately eliminate the antigen from the body. The immune system's response to an antigen can result in disturbances through out the NEI Supersystem at both the initial onset of infection, as well as after chronic exposure.
Bacteria
A large variety of bacteria normally colonize the skin, intestines, and other mucosal sites, and are important for health. Bacterial disease results when harmful bacteria enter the body and grow in normally sterile areas (lungs, bladder, and brain) or overcrowd the beneficial microbiota in areas such as the gut. Acute infections (e.g. Neisseria meningitidis, Salmonella, etc.) can often be easily diagnosed via symptoms, history, and regular lab tests (complete blood count, culture and sensitivity test, X-rays and/or spinal taps). Chronic low-level bacterial infections (e.g. Streptococcus pneumonia, Helicobacter pylori, and Staphylococcus aureus) may not be easily detectable and therefore may result in chronic inflammation.
Many symptoms caused by bacterial disease (fever, muscle ache, and headache) are not directly due to the bacteria, but are a result of the body's immune response and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that may, in turn, lead to alterations in neuropsychological and endocrine functions. Chronic bacterial infections (e.g. Streptococcus pneumonia, Helicobacter pylori, and Staphylococcus aureus) may be the root cause of chronic pain, inflammation, and disturbances within the neuroendocrine systems that manifest clinically as chronic disease.(1)
Fungi
Fungi are primitive vegetables that are found in the environment, in foods, and within the body (e.g., Candida albicans). Normally, the immune system keeps fungi such asC. albicans in check, but if a person is immunodeficient or their internal environment (microbiota) is disturbed (e.g. as a consequence of antibiotic therapy), opportunistic fungal infections can occur, leading to pathology and even death. Subclinical fungal infection may be detectable via immune perturbation (cytokine responses to fungi), increases in intestinal permeability (IgG responses to foods) and neuroendocrine disruptions (alterations in neurotransmitter levels). (1)
 |
| Rhino Virus - common cold |
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can only replicate inside the cells of a living organism. Viral infections generally provoke the immune system resulting in activation of the innate and subsequent adaptive immune responses, and concomitant cytokine release. Although most pathogenic viruses are eliminated by this immune response, immune evasion or immunosuppression can result in chronic viral infections. Some chronic viruses may be cytotoxic and result in tissue/organ damage (HBV and HCV), while others may result in chronic symptoms (EBV and CMV). There are over 5000 identified viruses in nature with new ones being discovered on a regular basis.(1)
Viral infections are often difficult to detect, especially in the case of novel or uncharacterized viruses. Nonetheless, the immune response that accompanies viral infections can result in altered cytokine levels that in turn affect neurotransmitter and hormone levels as well. Assessment of NEI Supersystem© parameters may provide a clinical approach to help identify immune activation in patients suffering from unexplained chronic disorders. (1)
Environmental
The environment is a source of constant immune stimulation and over the last century it has become an increasingly complex assortment of industrial, synthetic, and commercially processed compounds. Altogether, this artificial environment has become the basis for our modern life but for some it can be a source of immune challenges. Immune reactions to metals in our jewelry, pesticide residues on our foods, clothes detergents, or the coloring and preservatives in our foods can be the root cause of a number of health conditions including chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, and psychiatric complaints. Type IV hypersensitivity and cytokine reactions against environmental compounds can alter the body's biochemistry, neural processing, hormone activity and lead to chronic inflammation and disease. (1)
- Metals: implants, dentistry, jewelry, pollution
- Pesticides/ herbicides: food, lawns, occupational exposure
- Household chemicals: detergents, oven cleaners, polishes, air fresheners
- Food additives: food colorings, artificial sweeteners, preservatives
- Food processing ingredients: molds, fungi, modified proteins, modified starches
Mental Stress / Emotions
Emotional stress can have a profound effect on overall health by influencing all aspects of the NEI system. Emotions have been shown to stimulate specific brain regions and affect the release of neurotransmitters and certain hormones as an effect of stress on the body. Individuals with high emotional stress can initially experience a wide variety of symptoms including anxiety, anger, fatigue, low mood, or trouble sleeping. Chronic emotional stress can also influence the immune system and the ability of the body to keep inflammatory responses under control, leading to further imbalances in the NEI system. Emotional factors must be addressed in conjunction with any treatment program to restore balance to the NEI system and for complete symptom resolution.(1)
Conclusion
No matter what we do we will always interact with a stressful situation. The best way to counter stress is allow your body to work naturally and not worry about it. Do you have to think to walk, no your body does it automatically. When you touch a hot plate and jerk your hand away, did you have to think to yourself, “That is hot, pull your hand away quickly!” NO, your body did that automatically due to the intimate connections of the NEI system. Be good to your body, you only have one.
Treat it with monthly maintenance to a chiropractic office (hint hint) and be sure and check its internal biochemistry at least twice a year.
REFERENCES:
1. NeuroScience. https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?p=cms&cid=109&pid=84
