October 21, 2024
You’ve probably read or heard that somewhere between 80% and 90% of all chronic disease is caused, or at the very least made worse, by stress. If you’re anything like me, that range initially seems incredibly high. As we examine the basis for that claim, we find that the connection between stress and disease is supported by a large body of research. Said research highlights how chronic stress impacts multiple bodily systems, contributing to the development and exacerbation of a wide range of diseases1.
One such group of studies demonstrates that trauma experienced in childhood has far-reaching consequences that can affect individuals throughout their lives. The Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) studies, originally conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, are among the most significant investigations into how early life trauma influences long-term health outcomes. These studies have helped reshape how we understand the mind-body connection, especially concerning chronic disease development.
The ACE studies began in the 1990s with the goal of exploring the relationship between childhood adversity and later-life health issues. Researchers surveyed over 17,000 participants, asking them about their exposure to 10 categories of childhood adversity, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as household dysfunction like substance abuse, parental separation, and domestic violence. This study was groundbreaking because it revealed a clear connection between adverse childhood experiences and a higher risk of numerous health problems in adulthood.
The ACE score, a tally of the types of trauma a person experienced, became a key metric. The higher the ACE score, the greater the likelihood of developing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, and even cancer later in life. Participants with higher ACE scores were also more likely to engage in health-harming behaviors, such as smoking, substance abuse, and overeating, which further compounded their risk for disease.
What made the ACE study particularly compelling was its robust validation by subsequent research. Numerous studies have confirmed the initial findings, showing that adverse childhood experiences are a significant risk factor for a wide range of health issues. For example, a study by Merrick et al. reinforced that higher ACE scores correlate with increased mortality and disease prevalence. These findings hold true across different populations, confirming that childhood adversity has universal implications on health outcomes2.
But why is it that stress, chronic stress, and trauma seem to have such a profound effect on overall wellness? Researchers have increasingly turned their focus toward understanding how trauma impacts the body’s integrated systems, contributing to long-term physiological changes. The ACE studies opened the door to new ways of thinking about stress, and modern science has given us a framework to understand it: the Psychoneuroendocrineimmune supersystem.
The term “Psychoneuroendocrineimmune supersystem” refers to the interconnected relationship between the psychological, nervous, endocrine, and immune systems in the body. This concept helps explain how trauma, especially in childhood, has such far-reaching effects. Each of these systems is highly interdependent, and when one is impacted, the others respond. The chronic stress caused by ACEs influences each of these systems in unique but interconnected ways.
When an individual experiences trauma, especially during formative years, their psychological development is significantly affected. Childhood trauma often results in chronic stress responses, which can lead to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is the “psycho” component of the Psychoneuroendocrineimmune supersystem, wherein psychological stress triggers changes across the body’s systems3.
The nervous system, particularly the autonomic nervous system (ANS), plays a crucial role in how the body responds to stress. The ANS has two components: the sympathetic nervous system, which governs the “fight or flight” response, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body calm down and return to a state of equilibrium. For individuals who have experienced childhood trauma, the sympathetic nervous system can become overactive, leaving the body in a constant state of high alert. This dysregulation can lead to various physical and emotional symptoms, such as anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. The interconnectedness of the nervous system with the immune and endocrine systems illustrates how stress can disrupt the entire body4.
The endocrine system is responsible for regulating hormones, which are chemical messengers that control many of the body’s functions. When someone is exposed to chronic stress—like that stemming from ACEs—the body releases stress hormones such as cortisol. Prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels can disrupt metabolic processes, lead to insulin resistance, and increase the risk for conditions like obesity and diabetes. The hormonal imbalances caused by chronic stress also contribute to mood disorders, further linking the psychological and endocrine systems5.
The immune system is deeply connected to the body’s stress response. Chronic stress, especially during childhood, can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and autoimmune conditions. Research has shown that people with higher ACE scores have more inflammatory markers, which are linked to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers6. This is because the body remains in a prolonged state of “fight or flight,” which suppresses normal immune function, leading to increased inflammation and a weakened ability to fight off illness.
What makes the Psychoneuroendocrineimmune supersystem so critical is that no part of it can be impacted without affecting the other parts. When trauma activates the psycho (mind), it disrupts the neuro (nervous), endocrine (hormonal), and immune (defense) systems. For instance, someone with a high ACE score might develop anxiety (psycho), leading to overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (neuro), which elevates cortisol levels (endocrine), and suppresses immune function (immune). This cascade of effects helps explain why trauma is linked to both mental health challenges and chronic physical illnesses.
Of course, not everyone reading this post has had trauma in their childhood. A small minority of us have had a very emotionally healthy and balanced childhood, and a relatively stress-free adulthood. But most of us have experienced periods of chronic stress or trauma or both, whether in childhood or as an adult (or both!). An awareness of the effects of stress and trauma on our long-term wellbeing is of critical importance as we seek to optimize our health.
The ACE studies have given us invaluable insight into how early trauma shapes long-term health outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the root causes of chronic stress to improve health outcomes. The providers at the Hotze Health & Wellness Center are experts in addressing root causes, and we help mitigate the effects of chronic stress in three very important ways.
At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, the endocrine system is a primary focus in optimizing health, particularly through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). The center addresses hormone imbalances by assessing and correcting deficiencies in key hormones such as thyroid, DHEA, pregnenolone, progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone, which are essential for energy, mood stability, metabolism, and overall well-being. BHRT is customized to each guest’s unique needs, aiming to restore optimal hormone levels and improve quality of life without the side effects often associated with synthetic hormones.
Our holistic approach to immune system support emphasizes optimal nutrition and lifestyle modifications. The center offers personalized vitamin supplementation, including immune-boosting nutrients like Vitamin D, C, and zinc. Additionally, dietary recommendations and detoxification programs help reduce inflammation and support the immune response. Through our expertise in allergy treatment and gut health optimization, we provide comprehensive care that strengthens overall immune function and resilience.
We’ve also recently added IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback to our offering. IASIS MCN addresses the neurological system in a variety of ways. In addition to bettering sleep, reducing anxiety and depression, and improving focus and concentration, IASIS can influence the movement of the autonomic nervous system from “fight/flight” to “rest/digest/repair/reproduce” so that the brain and body can heal. Our guests have reported significant improvements in a wide variety of symptoms after a course of IASIS MCN therapy.
Few medical practices understand the role of chronic stress and trauma in overall wellness, let alone know how to mitigate those effects. Whether you were subject to chronic stress and/or trauma in childhood or as an adult, the insidious effects can impact your long term wellness. Contact us today at 281-698-8698 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Wellness Consultants. Together, we’ll create a plan that helps mitigate the effects of chronic stress and puts you on the path to optimizing your health for the long term.
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Since 1989, Hotze Health & Wellness Center has helped over 33,000 patients get their lives back using bioidentical hormones that restore hormones to optimal levels, strengthen immune systems, and increase energy levels. Our treatment regimen addresses the root cause of hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, allergies, and candida.
Led by best-selling author, radio host and leading natural health expert, Steven F. Hotze, M.D., our medical team has over 100 years’ combined medical experience backed by a staff of nearly 100 caring professionals who provide an environment of hope and extraordinary hospitality for each of our patients, who we call our guests. It is our deepest desire to help you obtain and maintain health and wellness naturally so that you may enjoy a better quality of life, pure and simple.
Do you want to live a healthy, happy, purpose-driven life? Do you want to restore your health so that your loss of energy, weight gain, joint pain, depression and lack of drive or motivation won’t hold you back from achieving your personal and professional goals?
Dr. Steven Hotze wants that for you, too. In fact, in his powerful and passionate video entitled, “What I Believe”, Dr. Hotze shares how his Christian worldview and pivotal experiences have ignited a deep desire to offer the message of hope and optimal health to all who need to hear it.
At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, our doctors are changing the way women and men are treated through the use of bioidentical hormones. Our natural treatments have helped over 33,000 individuals with hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, allergies, candida, detoxification and nutritional deficiencies.
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Holistic, functional medicine doctors in Houston, Texas specializing in bioidentical hormones, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, allergies and LDI treatment, candida, detoxification, nutritional deficiencies, longevity and aesthetics.
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