ARTICLE | stress management | active cortisol. this particular enzyme is located in
adipose (fat) tissues. studies with human visceral (fat surrounding the stomach and intestines) and subcutaneous fat tissue have demonstrated that the gene for this enzyme is expressed more in obesity- related conditions. It has also been demonstrated in research that human visceral fat cells have more of these enzymes compared with subcutaneous fat cells. therefore, higher levels of these enzymes in these deep fat cells surrounding the abdomen may lead to obesity owing to greater amounts of cortisol being produced at the tissue level. Furthermore, deep abdominal fat has greater blood flow and four times more cortisol receptors compared with subcutaneous fat. this may also increase the fat accumulating and fat cell size-enlarging effects of cortisol.
Stress versus eustress Hans selye, a prominent stress physiologist of the 20th century, defined stress as ‘the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it’3
. richard
Lazarus, another highly regarded psychologist, adds that stress is ‘any event in which environmental demands, internal demands, or both, tax or exceed the adaptive resources of an individual, social system, or tissue system’3
. In many different societies, stress is a common term
that is often associated with negative situations and settings. Yet, a stress-free life may also be harmful, because an individual will lose his/her ability to react to the different challenges of life. every person has an optimal positive stress level referred to as eustress, while stress that is harmful is noted to be distress. People can react to a stressor in different ways. For
example, if an individual perceives the stressor as a challenge to his/her control of a situation, noradrenaline, the ‘fight’ hormone, is predominantly released. and, if the stress arousal increases and a possible loss of control is felt by the individual, then adrenaline, the ‘flight’/anxiety hormone is released. When the stress is prolonged and seen as hopeless,
the individual becomes more distressed and feels defeated. this activates the hypothalamus in the brain. What follows is a cascade of hormonal pathways resulting in the final release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex (of the kidney). the brain has the ability to selectively activate the
fight, flight, or defeat responses. this usually occurs in day-to-day living when an individual perceives his/ her hassles as a challenge to control or a loss of control. although the stress pathways work together, they can uniquely affect the function of bodily processes. For instance, the ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ stress responses cause the heart to beat faster and harder, as well as release more free fatty acids (disassembled triglycerides) into the blood. the ‘defeat’ response stress pathway can lead to enhanced lipogenesis (fat creation), visceral obesity (deep abdominal obesity), breakdown of tissue, and suppression of the immune system.
56 ❚ References
1. Alberts B. The Molecular Biology of the Cell. 2nd edn. New York: Garland Press, 1990
2. Kaltsas H (2009) What is ionization? cited in www.
thebiomatstore.com/cellular_rejuvination.php (accessed 25 October 2011)
3. Grant G. Stress factors affecting college educators. PhD [dissertation]. Toronto: University of Toronto; 1995
4. Grant G. Measuring stress affecting college professors. MEd [dissertation]. Ontario: Brock University; 1992
5. Jones DP. Redefining oxidative stress. Antioxid Redox Signal 2006; 8(9–10): 1865–79
6. Kyuo S. The Scientific Basis and Therapeutic Benefits of Far Infrared Ray Therapy. Canada: Health Food Association, 2001
7. Richardson, W. Spiritual Values and Gemstones. Marina Del Ray: Devorest Company, 1998
8. Lovibond PF, Lovibond SH. The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behav Res Ther 1995; 33(3): 335–43
Key points
■ The Amethyst Far InfraRed/Negative Ions BioMat is a useful tool to reduce stress and pain, rejuvenate the body and enhance deep sleep
■ The Biomat rays penetrate 6 inches into the body. These rays not only benefit the muscles on the surface of the body, but all cells including blood vessels, lymph glands, and nerves
■ The deep heat of far infrared rays raises body temperature, thus enhancing the immune system
■ Infrared ray heat therapy is widely used to treat patients suffering from many forms of arthritis, fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis. It has also proved effective in the treatment of sprains, neuralgia, bursitis, muscle spasms, joint stiffness, and many other musculoskeletal conditions
■ This study has shown that the frequent use of the far infrared technology may help patients to gradually reduce pain medication and other medications
It appears that the far infrared, negative ions and
amethyst Biomat ameliorate the effect of stress, sleep, pain and overall sense of wellbeing for all subjects tested, regardless of their age, gender or medications used. the accuracy of the study results is limited to those results obtained by the biofeedback devices and the completed questionnaires from the subjects who were tested. Future studies should examine a larger population of 50 or more subjects for 4 months or longer, to clearly elucidate clearly the quantitative effect of the Biomat with regard to stress, sleep and pain.
Conclusions as shown from the results of this case study, the Biomat has resulted in the stress reduction for the 12 subjects by reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, and increasing serotonin and endorphins known as the ‘happy messengers’ in the brain. the far infrared Biomat increases blood circulation and oxygen supply to damaged tissues (aiding reduction of chronic joint and muscle pain or sport injuries), promoting relaxation and comfort, inducing sleep, and therefore relieving stress. there have been reports detailing the hazards of exposure to certain kinds of electromagnetic fields6
,
such as those from high-tension power lines, cell phones, or from computer display terminals. Far infrared heating systems have been tested in Japan and found to be free of toxic electromagnetic fields. the swedish national Institute of radiation Protection has also concluded that infrared heaters are not dangerous6
.
rather, Japanese researchers have reported that far infrared radiant heat antidotes the negative effects of toxic electromagnetic sources6
.
Declaration of interest: The author is not employed nor compensated by Richway International or Fuji Bio Sciences, the manufacturer and distributor of the BioMat. The company provided the BioMat at no charge to conduct the case study for 12 subjects at the author’s clinic in Toronto, ON Canada. The author has no financial interests in the company.
November/December 2011 |
prime-journal.com
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