Rare! will Lake eon 6 inte pent rane ci nd ain apfire on vi ancl ‘ade each nes “anbana edt sd I Seya AG i]Ss ie wud aceSut res newina ve jahi il a 4 ine Bis ‘soy men) l and hd ‘wae dein ‘ten ty Nae a pamed ueof he Allostatic Overload:What Everyone Should Know (NAPSA)—Significant advances in science are revealing that stress is actually a complex relationship of internal and external factors, and that somerelatively simple lifestyle changes can contribute to a sense of well-being and improve health. “A healthy lifestyle is the best way to reduce stress,” according to Bruce McEwen, a memberof the Board of Governors of the New York Academy of Sciences and the co-author of a new book, The End of Stress As We Know It (Dana Press). The notion that stress is the result of external pressures is incomplete, says Dr. McEwen. Research now reveals how the body’s defense mechanisms are involved in keeping stress at bay, and how the body’s defense system breaks down from timeto time. When the body is working properly, people are able to adapt to the real or imagined threats that confront them in the course of everyday life in a process known s “allostasis.” Allostasis is maintained by a complex network within the body—including hormones, the autonomic nervoussys- tem, substances in the brain, and chemicals in the immunesystem. “When this network is working efficiently, its activity helps to mobilize energy reserves, promote efficient cardiovascular function, enhance memory of important events and improve the immune system’s defense towards pathogens like viruses or bacteria,” McEwensaid. “Normally, the body is able to self-regulate the proper responses to external pressures, but occasionally it reaches a limit knownas‘allostatic overload.” Research showsthat managing stress is key to maintaining overall good health. Many external pressures can contribute to this overload, such as conflicts at work or home, fears about war and terrorism, overworking, lack of sleep, economic difficulties, lack of exercise, excessive drinking and bad eating habits. Genetic risk factors, such as a predisposition for heart disease or dia- betes, can also contribute to allostatic overload, Dr. McEwenadds. If the imbalances in the body’s regulatory network persist over long periods of time, the result can lead to illnesses such as hardening of the arteries, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, depression, and certain types of memory loss, the New York Academy of Sciences expert reported. Changes in lifestyle may be the best remedy for allostatic overload. Maintaining social ties with friends and family is one factor. Restorative sleep and regular, moderate exercise are also important. Founded in 1817, the New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organiza- tion of over 22,000 members worldwide.
