"Adding cortisol to immune cells makes them much less effective at destroying diseased cells We can see this even at the molecular level, says Davis, the author of Self Defence: A Myth-Busting Guide to Immune Health. If we take immune cells and expose them to diseased cells, like cancer, the immune cells will usually destroy them. But if we add cortisol, they become much less effective."
"Short-term stress can temporarily affect your immune system. The number of immune cells in the blood changes, says Davis. But it returns to normal within about an hour, so it's unlikely to have any major impact. Long-term stress is a different story. When your body perceives a threat, the adrenal glands release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. They prepare the body for a fight or flight response increasing your blood pressure and heart rate, but also suppressing the immune system."
Stress alters immune function. Short-term stress causes temporary changes in blood immune-cell numbers that return to normal within about an hour and are unlikely to cause major impact. Long-term stress triggers adrenal release of adrenaline and cortisol, inducing fight-or-flight responses that raise blood pressure and heart rate while suppressing immune activity. Cortisol reduces immune-cell effectiveness against diseased cells, including cancer, and prolonged exposure over weeks or months diminishes immunity. Mindfulness, tai chi, and other stress-reduction practices lower cortisol and should benefit immune health. Proving these effects experimentally is difficult for ethical and real-world measurement reasons. Consult a GP if worried about chronic stress.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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