The Relationship Between Stress and Gut Microbiota
How stress manipulates the trillions of tiny microorganisms we carry in our gut.
Stress Is a Killer, Literally
Before COVID-19 descended upon us, stress was named the health epidemic of the 21st century. Stress is responsible for about 90% of all illnesses and diseases. Manifesting through our body’s response to anything we perceive as overwhelming, it can be a reaction to things we can’t control, like certain of our surroundings or circumstances.
However, there is one major ingredient of stress that we can control: our food intake.
Our body’s innate reaction to stress creates extra energy in order to protect our vital organs and crucial biochemical activities. This indestructible energy serves its purpose, but it also sets in motion an imbalance in our systems that can make us sick.
The health burden of stress-related diseases is on the increase. For example, information from the United States Center for Disease Control shows that about 83% of all deaths for adults between 21 and 65 years old are related to lifestyle. As unmanaged stress continues to adversely impact our health, we must identify common stressors and how we can manage them.
