Beware — stress will make you dumber as you age!

Avoid undue stress in life as it may accelerate age-related changes in your brain. Researchers have found that aged rats with high levels of the stress hormone corticosterone (similar to the human str

By: Editorial Team | | Published: June 19, 2014 3:12 pm

Avoid undue stress in life as it may accelerate age-related changes in your brain. Researchers have found that aged rats with high levels of the stress hormone corticosterone (similar to the human stress hormone cortisol) showed structural changes in the brain and short-term memory deficits. ‘Research suggests that how the body responds to stress may be one of the factors influencing how the brain ages,’ said Jason J. Radley from the University of Iowa. (Read: If you’re stressed, stay away from these foods!)

In the current study appeared in the Journal of Neuroscience, the team measured the amount of stress hormone corticosterone in the blood of young and old rats. They examined cells in the prefrontal cortex — a region of the brain involved in short-term memory. The researchers found that older animals with high levels of the stress hormone had fewer connections between prefrontal cortex cells than the older animals with lower levels of the hormone. (Read: Stressed out? Try these yoga poses)

In contrast, prefrontal cortex cells appeared similar in younger animals regardless of stress hormone levels. ‘Stress may act as a pacemaker of ageing in this key brain region,’ said Stanford University’s professor Robert Sapolsky who was not involved with this study. ‘The study suggests that the effects of these stress hormones on the brain may be much more widespread than we previously thought,’ Radley concluded. (Read: 20 expert tips to beat stress)

What are symptomps of stress?

While you might keep saying ‘I am absolutely alright’ to everybody else you know, you should be able to recognize the signs of stress before it takes a toll on your health.

1. Weight gain: Yeah! If you don’t want to put on extra kilos, just lead a stress-free life. High levels of stress hormones cause excess fat deposition irrespective of whether you’re thin or fat. Also, a few people tend to overeat under stressful situations which cause the body to store more calories instead of burning them. Refer to our mega guide on weight loss.

2. Muscle tension: Hormones released during stress not only raise your blood pressure and heart rate but also cause your muscles to tighten up. Common muscle pain due to incorrect posture at work can worsen if you are stressed. Here are 10 effective tips to prevent back pain. Read more about what could muscle pain indicate.

3. Stomach ache: Butterflies or jitters in the stomach are not just a feeling of excitement or nervousness; they’re a classic symptom of stress. Studies have shown a close connection between the stomach and the brain. As per a report published by Harvard Medical School, if you suffer from gastro-related disorders like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or acidity then your symptoms may worsen due to stress. Read more about Which of these 10 symptoms of stress do you have?

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With inputs from IANS

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Published : June 19, 2014 3:12 pm

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