of stress also showed changes in anti-body levels to the herpes virus. In both children and adults, depression and immunity studies have consistently shown reduced natural killer cell activ-ity, thus impacting ones innate immune function(7). Chronic stress often re-sults in depression, both of which negatively impact immune health. Stress molecules such as corticoster-oids and epinephrine are inversely re-lated to the function of specific immune cells which have receptors to these molecules. Receptors to these have been found on both macrophages and lymphocytes, resulting in immunosup-pression when these molecules are ele-vated(7). Growth hormone is another important hormone involved in im-mune regulation; chronic stress has been shown to inhibit growth hormone secretion(7). The impact of stress may affect us before we ever knew what stress was. Recent research has investigated the effects of stress in pregnant women on their fetuses. The stress response of the mom can be “transmitted to the fetus, resulting in permanent changes to the stress response system and health in the offspring”(8). Increased or decreased immune system activity from a mother’s constant stress response may become the new ‘normal’ for the offspring as a result of early life stress exposure (8). Chronic stress via constant HPA activation affects hormones and chem-ical mediators that influence both the innate and acquire immune response. The effects on natural killer cells, mac-rophages, cytokines, and T cell activity has been demonstrated. Stress has also been demonstrated to increase DNA damage, increase mutations, and in-hibit apoptosis, all of which may influ-ence disease states such as cancer(7). The good news is once we are aware, we can make change to better adapt and alter our course. Stress manage-ment should be a major priority for us all. Running on a ‘treadmill’ with little time to decompress can result in an aberrant immune response. Checking in with yourself to assess your stress levels and implementing strategies to manage this should be as routine as brushing your teeth. REFERENCES: 1) Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School, April 6, (2020). 2) Cappuccio F., D’Elia L., Strazzullo P., Miller M. Sleep Duration and All-Cause Mortality: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. Sleep, Vol 33, No 5 (2010). 3) Besedovsky L., Lange T., Born J., Sleep and Immune Function. Pflugers Arch. Jan; 463(1):121-137 (2012). 4) Irwin M., Opp M., Sleep Health: Reciprocal Regulation of Sleep and Innate Immunity. Neuropsychopharmacology REVIEWS 42, 129-155 (2017). 5) Dimitrov S., Lange T., Gouttefangeas C., Jensen A., Szczepan-ski M., Lehnnolz J., Soekadar S., Rammensee HG., Born J., Bese-dovsky L. G-alpha-coupled receptor signaling and sleep regulated integrin activation in human antigen-specific T cells. Journal of Experimental Medicine. Feb 12, (2019). 6) Yaribeygi H., Panahi Y., Sahraei H, Johnston T., Sahebkar A. The Impact of Stress on Body Function: A Review. EXCLI Journal 16:1057-1072, (2017). 7) Reiche E., Nunee S., Morimoto H.Stress, depression, the im-mune system, and cancer. The Lancet Oncology Vol 5 October 2004. 8) Moeser A. How Stress Makes Us Sick and Affects Immunity, Inflammation, Digestion. 2019 www.Cndoctor.ca CND_Contemporary Acupuncture_Dec20_CSA.indd 1 December 2020 Chiropractic and Naturopathic Doctor 15 2020-11-04 1:59 PM
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