The diet-stress connection

Whether the origin of stress is psychological or physical, the body reacts to it in a predictable pattern controlled by the neuroendocrine system. The brain, sensing a threat, stimulates the pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone, which in turn stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete catecholamines, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids. The results are increased heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, and sodium and water in the blood. This stress reaction is normal, but prolonged reaction may result in resistance, and permanently altered hormone secretion and metabolic reactions. The body's needs for nutrients during stress change in several ways: caloric requirements may rise by 10% for simple surgery or 125% for severe burns; protein requirements are fairly high; and potassium requirements may become elevated. Needs for other nutrients do not change greatly. Unrelieved chronic stress is damaging to the system. It may result in enlarged adrenals, shrunken thymus glands, ulcers, and circulatory problems, and may contribute to diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders or migraines. While nutrition is intimately linked with all these conditions, there is no evidence that certain foods or nutrients (i.e., sugar or caffeine) can cause or relieve stress. Individuals should consume a moderate, balanced diet and analyze their own body's responses to stress. (cj)