Dr Simone Silver, a functional medicine doctor based in Cape Town, specializes in hormonal health and wellness. In her talk, she emphasizes the importance of understanding stress, not just as a concept, but in terms of its physiological effects and what can be done about it.
She begins by explaining the normal stress response, which involves the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a connection between the brain and adrenal glands. When faced with a threat, such as a lion, the brain signals the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, the “first responder” hormone. This hormone prepares the body for “fight or flight” by raising blood sugar and blood pressure, ensuring quick decision-making and physical readiness. In short bursts, this response is healthy and life-saving.
Problems arise when stress becomes chronic and unremitting. Dr Silver likens this to being on high alert all the time, which leads to an overproduction of stress hormones. In the early stages, individuals may feel “wired and tired,” experiencing anxiety, foggy thinking, memory changes, and immune system alterations. High cortisol levels can impair the body’s ability to fight infection and may trigger new allergies.
If chronic stress persists, the brain eventually tries to protect itself by shutting down cortisol production, leading to chronically low cortisol levels. This stage is marked by fatigue, exhaustion, memory changes, and a higher risk of autoimmune diseases and certain cancers. Dr Silver notes that both excessively high and low cortisol levels are harmful: high levels can cause blood pressure issues and diabetes, while low levels increase the risk of autoimmune conditions.
She also highlights the impact of stress on women’s hormonal health, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. Chronic stress depletes progesterone, worsening symptoms like anxiety, heart palpitations, weight gain, and heavy periods. Dr Silver concludes that understanding one’s place on the stress continuum is crucial, as there are strategies to modulate the stress response and restore balance, ultimately improving health and well-being.
