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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : November 25, 2014 11:05 AM IST
London, Nov 24: According to a study that was published in the science magazine Rubin, those suffering from chronic or permanent stress are at a greater risk of suffering from mental disorders like schizophrenia. According to the researchers of the study, stress results in activation of immune cells that can cause certain changes in the brain, triggering mental disorders like schizophrenia.
How stress affects immune cells in the brain?
Phagocytes called microglia are large white cells that can swallow and digest microbes and other foreign particles. Under normal situations, these cells repair the gaps between nerve cells in the brain and stimulate their growth. According to the findings of the study, once they get activated, they may damage nerve cells and trigger inflammation processes. The more frequently microglia get triggered due to stress, the more they are inclined to remain in the destructive mode, which poses a major risk factor for development of mental diseases such as schizophrenia. (Read: 5 natural remedies to beat stress (Gallery))
However, the researchers noted that not every individual suffering from permanent stress will develop a mental disorder. US researchers demonstrated as far back as the 1950s that children born of mothers who contracted true viral influenza during pregnancy were seven times as likely to suffer schizophrenia later in life. The new study confirmed this hypothesis in animal models.
'The embryo undergoes some kind of immune response which has far-reaching consequences and presumably shapes the future immune system,' said Astrid Friebe from Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. (Read: Beat stress, fatigue and depression with laughter yoga)
Here are some expert tips to keep stress at bay:
Good nutrition: Nutritious food is a powerful ally when it comes to dealing with stress. Your body needs extra B vitamins for a healthy central nervous system, and vitamin C and zinc for building resistance against infections. You can boost your energy levels and reduce fatigue caused by daily stressors by eating small, frequent meals (at least every 3 hours) based around complex carbohydrates such wholemeal bread, pulses, oats, pasta, rice and potatoes. These foods supply a steady stream of energy to the body and have a calming effect on the brain. Here are 7 stress-busting foods you should include in your diet (Gallery))
Avoid caffeine: Excessive amounts of caffeine containing beverages like tea and coffee are far more likely to stimulate feelings of anxiety headaches rather than helping to calm down.
Relax: Practise some form of relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and gentle breathing exercises teamed up with positive affirmations.
Understand stress: Learn to recognise your own threshold of stress and do not push yourself past it. (Read: 20 expert tips to beat stress)
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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