Understanding the relationship and interconnectedness between chronic inflammation, disordered metabolism, and chronic stress is essential to the pursuit of health and wellbeing.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.
The previous article described the association between chronic inflammation and disordered metabolism. The relationship amongst three critical concepts were discussed, specifically chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These are essential considerations when we are seeking to decrease chronic inflammation and enhance our health, wellbeing, and pursue sustainable high performance.
In addition to the recognition of the link between chronic inflammation and disordered metabolism is another essential relationship. This pertains to the interconnectedness between chronic stress and chronic inflammation. This concept was mentioned in the previous article but its importance is deserving of further discussion. Throughout everyday discussion, we are often exposed to the understanding of the negative impacts of chronic stress. The specific manner in which this exerts its impact is important to understand so that we can develop specific and targeted strategies and tactics to not only reduce chronic stress but improve the foundation for health and wellbeing.
At the outset of this discussion it is important to first define what is considered to be chronic stress. The term stress is used frequently and often in a fashion that is not sufficiently specific for this discussion. As has been discussed in past articles, there are two predominant types of stress. Eustress reflects a type of demand placed upon our biology that is not deleterious to our overall health and wellbeing and, in fact, is supportive and necessary in promoting growth and development of our capacity. On the other hand, distress is a type of demand placed upon us which has negative effects and consequences. When we are considering the important topic of chronic stress, it is distress specifically that we are referring to.
Ultimately, it is important to understand what leads to chronic stress. As we are all different, it is not solely a function of the demands placed upon us which inevitably lead to chronic stress. It is important to recall the above discussion that we are primarily considering distress in this scenario. It is important, however, to note that when we are discussing the concept of eustress, it is also an individual specific definition. What one individual may consider to be beneficial to their overall growth may be different for another. Similarly, what may lead to negative impacts and consequences as a result of demands placed upon us may be different amongst different individuals.
When we are considering the impact of chronic stress upon our biology, it is ultimately the impact that chronic stress has on our psychology, physiology, and cellular health that leads to the unwanted and negative impact. This relationship is a two way street. While stress can cause impacts on these elements of our biology, it is also the case that issues within these elements can lead to chronic stress. Specifically, when we experience chronic stress, in particular distress, this leads to the negative consequences as a result of chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system. It is important to note that this may occur as a result of psychological factors, physiological factors, environmental factors, and a combination of these elements. This is reflective of the consideration of the three pathways when we are considering nervous system regulation, specifically, internal, external, and relational.
On account of chronic sympathetic nervous system activation, there is a persistent elevation in systemic levels of cortisol. This leads, ultimately, to chronic inflammation. There are significant metabolic effects of chronic inflammation and elevated levels of cortisol, in particular increased blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, and mitochondrial dysfunction. For the reasons discussed in the past several articles, this has significant negative impacts on our overall health and wellbeing. If we do not have a stable platform of health and wellbeing, our ability to pursue sustainable high performance is inevitably reduced.
With the understanding that chronic stress can result from any cues and factors across the internal, external, and relational pathways, we can recognize how many different and seemingly unrelated elements in our daily experience can lead to a similar end results. If any of the regular experiences we encounter lead to shifts in our biological state into activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, or shutdown states on a persistent and continuous basis we will experience an increase in systemic levels of cortisol as a result. As noted above, this will lead to chronic inflammation and the associated negative impacts.
It is important to understand that this scenario can unfold as a result of experiences along the internal, external, and relational pathways. In addition, a combination of cues and stimuli across multiple pathways can exert a similar effect. Throughout this article series, there has been a particular emphasis on developing skills, strategies, and tactics to regulate our nervous system in order to increase the strength of our anchored and grounded states as well as improve nervous system flexibility. The end result of these objectives is that it enhances our ability to return to anchored and grounded states and shift away from chronic sympathetic nervous system activation in response to activating cues along the internal, external, and relational pathways. These abilities, therefore, are beneficial in reducing chronic stress and chronic inflammation. In addition, increased vagus nerve activation can directly reduce chronic inflammation and improve mitochondrial function.
Throughout our daily lives, we often can recognize and identify cues towards sympathetic nervous system activation along the internal and relational pathways. As examples, along the internal pathways, may be thoughts and feelings of anxiousness, worry, or nervousness about our ability to accomplish certain important tasks, as well as physical sensations of discomfort due to injury, pain, or other illness. Along the relational pathway, this is often the result of encounters with other individuals which leave us feeling uncertain, nervous, at risk, or uncomfortable in one way or another.
While these are common experiences across these respective pathways, another vital consideration is our exposure to environmental toxins. This can best be considered as a primary external pathway trigger, although it has associated internal pathway effects as a result of the direct impact of these toxins on our biology. Perhaps the most common and ubiquitous example of a potential external pathway toxin is the food that we eat. When we eat foods that trigger inflammation in our G.I. system, this leads to chronic inflammation through the mechanisms discussed above. In addition, there is a direct association with systemic inflammation on account of many of these foods and their interaction with our G.I. system. Not only does this category of cues and triggers relate to food allergies and sensitivities, but also to substances that are often present in an ultra processed diet. It is important that we understand the impact of these particular types of foods on our biology. On account of the downstream effects of chronic inflammation, these particular types of foods can lead to significant issues with insulin resistance and disordered metabolism, including mitochondrial dysfunction.
It is also important to consider that many of the potential triggers towards chronic stress and resulting chronic inflammation exist along a continuum between modifiable factors and non-modifiable factors. Examples of modifiable factors include the types of foods that we eat, the activities in which we participate, and the individuals with whom we associate. Non-modifiable factors are best exemplified by our genetics. It is important to note, however, that while we may have a genetic predisposition towards certain biological responses to various stimuli across the three pathways, we are also able to exert an element of agency in the manner in which we respond to these situations. Through developing mind-based and body-based skills, strategies, and tactics as discussed throughout this article series, we are best positioned to do so.
The above discussion informs the means through which chronic stress impacts our biology. The association and interconnectedness between chronic stress and chronic inflammation is an essential understanding. It is through this association that the negative and unwanted effects of chronic stress exert themselves upon us at a systemic level impacting our health and wellbeing. On account of this, there is also a significant and negative impact on our ability to sustainably perform at a high level as this is dependent upon an underlying foundation of health and wellbeing. An important understanding is that increased vagal tone, expressed through strengthening anchored and grounded states and returning to such states following the inevitable shifts in biological state which we encounter, is associated with both decreased cortisol levels and improvements in mitochondrial function. This informs the importance of increasing the extent and duration of anchored and grounded states in order to reduce chronic inflammation and improve cellular function.
Strategies and tactics to manage to the greatest degree possible the inevitable stressors along the three pathways will be discussed in an upcoming article. It is important to note that we are unable to completely remove chronic stressors from our daily experience. It is also important to recognize that in order to promote health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance it is not necessary to completely remove chronic stresses. Rather what is needed is the development of strategies and tactics to best manage these inevitable experiences across the three pathways.
To learn more, including about biologically complementary coaching for healthcare professionals and others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.com.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.