Stop and Smell the Roses: It Might Just Save Your Life

Is the stress of our lifestyle killing us? Although many feel that chronic stress can negatively affect our health, the real question is what is the impact on our lives, and is it reversible. The answer is that stress might shorten our lives, but it is reversible.

Even though we live in a truly wonderful country with many opportunities, it is a very stressful society. The daily "down time" often enjoyed by our parents and grandparents is consumed by our passion for being part of a hard-driving, competitive society. Over time, this constant stress exacts a significant toll on our health.

It is well-known that stress increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, irritable bowel and possibly even dementia (chronic stress can actually cause brain cells to shrink and die prematurely). Stress might also exacerbate eating disorders, obesity and even adult onset diabetes. In this column, I have often written about the health benefits of reducing stress. Recently I learned, however, that stress might even shorten one’s life.

A few weeks ago I attended the annual meeting of the Society of Integrative Oncology. The purpose of the group is "to educate oncology professionals, patients, caregivers and relevant others about state-of-the-art integrative therapies, including their scientific validity, clinical benefits, toxicities and limitations."

At the meeting, Elissa Epel, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, presented some fascinating research about the effects of chronic stress on DNA. As she explained, at the ends of DNA strands are regions of highly repetitive DNA called telomeres. As the cell divides, these telomere regions ensure that the DNA is duplicated accurately and completely. However, with each cell division, the telomere region gets a little shorter. Over time, the telomere disappears. Then the cell cannot divide and ultimately dies. The aging process is probably linked to this reduction of telomere length.

It appears that chronic stress results in a more rapid shortening of the length of the telomere and, ultimately, shortens the life of the cell. Most of the people under chronic stress tested by Dr. Epel had shortened telomeres – in some cases, almost nonexistent. These data strongly suggested that the effects of chronic stress can affect the very DNA of the cell and shorten the number of times that cell can divide. The medical implications are staggering … chronic stress, ubiquitous in our society, is killing us.

There is good news, however. There is an enzyme that can add length to the telomere region of the DNA. It is called telomerase. Chronic stress dramatically reduces telomerase activity, but stress reduction and active relaxation practices increase it. With reduced stress, it is possible to restore the telomere regions in even telomere-depleted cells. Simple lifestyle changes such as regular meditation, relaxing exercise or even just taking some quiet time for yourself – every day – significantly increases telomerase activity. It seems that "moderation in all things," especially in a stressful society, are words to truly live by.

- Patrick B. Massey, M.D., Ph.D., is medical director for alternative and complementary medicine for Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.