My Diabetes Information Blogs
Stress Fuels "Civilization Syndrome" and Diabetes
01/04/07
None.
In 1993, Per Bjorntorp, a scientist working in Sweden, noticed the stresses that exist in civilized countries may be contributing to the biochemical fuel for diabetes and heart disease. He called this phenomenon the "civilization syndrome." He wrote a paper about it in a medical journal, and it started to get a lot of attention.
Thanks to his idea, other scientists have done work that indicates that stress indeed precedes diabetes in many cases. When your body is under stress one of the byproducts is a chemical called cortisol. There is evidence that cortisol contributes to insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease and other health ailments.
You do not read much about "civilization syndrome" and stress in the health media. You really have to delve into the medical journals. You can read this recent story about stress and cortisol.
If you want to improve your health, look for ways to reduce your stress. You probably cannot do that overnight, but you can change your trajectory now with small decisions.