Eating habits influence people’s body functions, as different chemicals and components in different foods and drinks can produce various biological reactions. A common diet is consuming vitamins and proteins on a daily basis; and usually, people would intake alcohol as a “self-prescription” when they are under pressure. All these components have major impacts on the human stress levels. Stress usually happens when people are confronting stressors, such as catastrophes, daily hassles, and blah . Adequate stress can benefit people by providing them sufficient energy to respond quickly to and survive from stressful stimuli. However, too much stress can sabotage people’s life in various ways. Short-term stress like nausea and speeding heart rate before a presentation, tension during a fight with others might impair brain cells and cause damage to learning and memory, while chronic stress will make people experience irritation, anger, and fatigue for no reasons, and aggravate people’s existing diseases. The human body only functions when it remains in a homeostasis. This article will discuss vitamins, proteins, and alcohol’s influence on human stress levels, analyze the process of their effects respectively, and conclude that humans should consume sufficient vitamins and proteins and avoid alcohol abuse to maintain an adequate stress level.
Studies have shown the correlations between vitamins and stress levels in animals. Ayo et al. (2006) found that Vitamin C diminished stress indicators in vivo (as cited in Montalvo, Díaz, Galdames, Andrés, & Larraín, 2011, p. 3495). Gupta et al. (2005) and Larrain et al. (2008) suggested that “vitamin E supplementation or injection may reduce cortisol concentration in serum or plasma of cattle” (...
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...itamins E and C on cortisol production by bovine adrenocortical cells in vitro. Journal Of Dairy Science, 94(7), 3495-3497. doi:10.3168/jds.2010-3760
Starcke, K., Holst, R. J., Brink, W., Veltman, D. J., & Goudriaan, A. E. (2013). Physiological and Endocrine Reactions to Psychosocial Stress in Alcohol Use Disorders: Duration of Abstinence Matters. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 37(8), 1343-1350. doi: 10.1111/acer.12103
Wattoo, F. H., Memon, M. S., Memon, A. N., Watto, M. H. S., Asad, M. J., & Siddique, F. (2011). Protein intake and stress levels in nurses and housewives of Pakistan. Saudi journal of biological sciences, 18(3), 305-309. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2011.02.002
Anthenelli, R. & Grandison, L. (2012). Effects of Stress on Alcohol Consumption. Alcohol Research, 34(4), 381. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860387/pdf/arcr-34-4-381.pdf
Cortisol is in the class of hormones called glucocorticoids and affects almost every organ in the body. One of the most important functions of cortisol is to help regulate the body’s response to stress. Cortisol is also responsible for other necessary functions including: helping to maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular functions, helping to slow the immune system’s inflammatory response, helping to balance the effects of insulin in breaking down sugars for energy, helping to regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and helping to maintain proper arousal of sense of well being. The amount of cortisol is precisely balanced and regulated by the brain’s hypothalamus.
When alcohol is consumed, an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase metabolizes the alcohol to acetaldehyde at a rate of one standard drink per hour (Schuckit, 2009). After repeat exposures, tolerance may develop as a result of adaptational changes in the cells of the central nervous system (Merck, 1999). The increased tolerance may cause the patient to consume alcohol in greater quantities than before to achieve the same intoxicating effects. Alcoholics suffer dramatic long-term health damage. The most common forms of specific organ damage in alcoholics are cirrhosis, peripheral neuropathy, brain damage, a...
Lily, Henrietta M. and Harmon, Daniel E. Alcohol Abuse and Binge Drinking. New York: the Rosen Publishing Group Inc., 2012. Print.
To a great extent, stress can be a helpful response, especially for prehistoric humans. During this era, our species needed to react quickly to outside stimuli through a response of “fight or flight”. Through stress, certain hormones are released to help the individual resist the stressor, which may have meant running away from a natural predator. Thus, stress is a positive response that ensures the survival of the species. However, stress over a prolonged period of time causes exhaustion in the individual. Consequently, although stress can be helpful for individuals today, many often experience chronic stress, inflicting varying degrees of damage to their bodies.
“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health.” Bethesda, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2010. Print.
Sinha, R. (2009). Chronic Stress, Drug Use, and Vulnerability to Addiction. Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences, 1141, 105-130. doi:10.1196/annals.1441.030
Most alcoholics proceed to a stage where their brains or their bodies have been so harmed by alcohol that the effects persist even when they are not drinking. This stage may be reached...
Today, one out of every thirteen adults abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. That means nearly thirteen million Americans have a drinking problem. (www.niaaa.nih.gov) This topic offers a broad range of ideas to be researched within the psychological field. For this particular project, the topic of alcoholism and the psychological effects on people best fit the criteria. Alcoholism is defined as a disorder characterized by the excessive consumption of and dependence on alcoholic beverages, leading to physical and psychological harm and impaired social and vocational functioning. (www.dictionary.com) Through this project, the most important information regarding personal experiences dealing with alcoholism will be revealed. Not only are statistics, like the facts mentioned before, important when dealing with an issue such as alcoholism, but personal accounts and information are often more powerful and influential evidence. Non-alcoholics should be allowed to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for research purposes.
"NIH Study Finds Chronic Alcohol Use Shifts Brain's Control of Behavior." NIH News Release. 22 Aug. 2013: n.p. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.
King, K. A., Vidourek, R., & Schwiebert, M. (2009). Disordered eating and job stress among nurses. Journal of Nursing Management, 17, 861-869. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.nu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&hid=108&sid=56ec0737-792e-4eac-aad7-1ce285824dce%40sessionmgr115
To understand alcoholism, it must first be understood what this affliction is dependent on. Alcohol is a substance that is made by the fermentation of fruits, grains, or miscellaneous other organic materials. The chemical, alcohol, is a depressant and acts on every cell in the human body. Due to this, the central nervous system, along with the pleasure centers of the brain, are affected resulting in a feeling of euphoria and a sense of well being. After repeated exposure, the brain becomes dependent on this drug to unburden itself whenever it feels the compulsion. Several factors that contribute to alcoholism are the individual’s psychology, genetics, culture, and the individual’s response to physical pain.
Marcus, D. (March 27, 2000). Drnking To Get Drunk. U.S. News & World Report [On-line], Available: www2.gasou.edu/library/ (Galileo)(EBSCOhost)(Search=Alcohol Abuse).
Zelman, K. (1995, Dec). Retrieved from The Alcohol Debate: Should You or Shouldn't You: www.medicine.net
Stress is an ongoing dilemma that occurs in each and everyone’s life. It is a factor that is undoubtedly a part of daily living. Due to the trivial problems that occur in people’s daily lives massive amounts of stress can arise. People perceive and manage stress in many different ways. The causes and effects of stress are numerous and one’s ability to manage stress is vital in maintaining healthy living.
The cause of alcoholism is a combination of biological, psychological, and cultural factors that may contribute to the development of...