HEALTH NEWS

New Insights on How Stress Damages DNA & Causes Cancer

By Byron J. Richards, Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist

September 12, 2011

New Insights on How Stress Damages DNA & Causes Cancer
Utilizing new gene science to identify precise molecular pathways scientists have discovered that repeated exposure to the stress hormone adrenaline degrades cellular levels of P53. P53 is the tumor-suppressing guardian of the human genome. This is an animal study; nevertheless, the fact lower levels of P53 is induced by chronic stress exposure is a significant finding and speaks to the importance of every person managing their stress level well.

Unless you have figured out how to live in some sort of bubble world, stress is a fact of life. Indeed, a certain amount of stress is a workout for your nerves and even promotes fitness of your nerves. However, a line can be crossed when the wear and tear of stress is deteriorating to your health. This new study explains one aspect of what happens when that line is crossed.

Stress implies that your body must go faster. This requires adrenaline that binds to receptors on cells and stimulates their metabolic activity, so that you have the energy to deal with stress. Adrenaline is a high-level stress response that is inherently irritating and inflammation producing, which is how it can get things done so fast. To compensate for this needed survival attribute you need an adequate system of balance.

Your stress-relief team includes refreshing exercise, a good quality diet, adequate restorative sleep, stress-management/problem-solving life skills, and dietary supplements that fortify nerve structure and function.

This study shows how adrenaline binds to cell receptors and then triggers a cascade of events that when chronically activated ends up lowering the levels of P53, which is needed to prevent DNA damage. Your DNA is constantly being bombarded by free radicals and then repaired--which is normal. However, once P53 levels decline, then DNA damage begins to exceed repair capacity and now you have increased cancer risk. When you feel stuck in a pattern of wear and tear over a prolonged period of time, then you can assume that your risk for such problems has increased.

Solving this problem means boosting up all aspects of your stress-relief team. In terms of dietary supplements the “minimum daily requirement” to accomplish this positive outcome will vary from person to person, fluctuate based on the number of saber tooth tigers at their door, and be influenced by their long-term health trend. Your goal is to get adequate nerve support nutrition that works for you so that you feel you are rising above the wear and tear trend in your body. This also means you will have more energy and when you find yourself exercising and solving problems better then you most likely have enough support to prevent P53 from declining.


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