Most people think of stress as emotional — tight shoulders, racing thoughts, restless sleep.
But inside the body, stress is far more than just a feeling. It’s a biochemical cascade that can either protect us… or silently sabotage our health.
As a functional medicine doctor and cancer support specialist, I see it all the time:
Patients come to me overwhelmed, exhausted, and not sure why their bodies are breaking down.
And very often, the culprit is stress that’s been unchecked, untested, and unaddressed for far too long.
The Hidden Impact of Stress on the Body
When stress becomes chronic, it disrupts nearly every system:
-
The adrenal glands pump out cortisol until they can’t anymore.
-
The immune system weakens, leaving the body vulnerable to viruses, bacteria — and even cancer cells.
-
Inflammation rises, fueling pain, fatigue, gut issues, and hormonal imbalance.
-
The body’s antioxidant defenses, like glutathione, get depleted — and oxidative stress takes hold.
This isn’t theoretical. It’s measurable.
And that’s where functional testing comes in.
What Can We Test?
Here’s what I often run for patients navigating chronic stress, burnout, or cancer recovery:
-
4-point cortisol testing (saliva or dried urine): Tracks how cortisol rises and falls throughout the day.
-
DHEA levels: Gives insight into adrenal reserve and hormonal balance.
-
Organic Acid Testing (OAT): Looks at mitochondrial function, oxidative stress markers, and detox capacity.
-
Glutathione status: Measures your body's ability to fight free radicals and detoxify.
-
Inflammatory markers: Like hs-CRP, homocysteine, and interleukin-6 — which often rise in chronically stressed or inflamed bodies.
These aren’t just numbers.
They tell a story — one we can read, interpret, and most importantly, change.
Why Does This Matter for Cancer and Chronic Disease?
Stress isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s biologically disruptive.
Studies show that elevated cortisol levels can inhibit tumor surveillance, meaning the immune system may miss early cancer cells.
Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and nervous system dysregulation all create a microenvironment where cancer cells are more likely to thrive and spread.
If you’re in remission, going through treatment, or living with a cancer diagnosis, reducing internal stress isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Enter L-Theanine: A Natural Ally for Calm and Resilience
One of my favorite tools for supporting stress recovery is L-theanine — a calming amino acid found in green tea.
It promotes alpha brain waves, which bring the brain into a state of relaxed alertness — the same state we aim for in deep meditation or prayer.
L-theanine may help:
-
Lower cortisol levels
-
Improve sleep quality
-
Support healthy blood pressure
-
Boost the immune system’s response to threats
-
Protect against oxidative stress
-
Replenish glutathione (our master antioxidant)
Unlike medications or sedatives, L-theanine doesn’t make you drowsy — it makes you centered.
It’s gentle enough for daily use, powerful enough to be part of cancer recovery, and supportive of the mind-body connection that is at the core of healing.
Takeaway: You Deserve to Know What’s Going On Inside
If you feel like something’s “off,” if you’re always tired, wired, overwhelmed, or inflamed — please don’t ignore it.
Test it. Track it. Transform it.
Your body keeps the score, but it also gives you clues.
Through the right tests and natural support — like L-theanine, breathwork, better sleep, and integrative care — you can create a physiology of peace.
And in that peace, the real healing begins.
Want to learn more about testing, L-theanine, and personalized stress support?
Let’s talk. Your wellness journey is worth getting right.
With love and resilience,
Dr. Cindy
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog!