Waltham, Massachusetts – In a recent study, it was proven that individuals suffering from obesity or those who are overweight are more susceptible and at risk to contract stress-related diseases, specifically cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.
Brandeis University researchers spearheaded the study, which further proved previous studies that already established a significant association of psychological stress with biological responses that is very similar when it comes to the general effects of injury and illness, that also includes inflammation. Though inflammation is considered a good thing and doesn’t need urgent care, runaway inflammation does increase the risk of life-threatening and chronic diseases.
Nicolas Rohleder, a psychology professor stated that many psychologists and urgent care clinics have known that individuals suffering from obesity and overweight experienced chronic and low grade inflammation. The principal investigator of the study expressed in a recent press-statement that it seems that recently, when stress is added to the mix, the risk of contracting stress-related diseases double.
The researcher’s study measured and focused on interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-6 is basically an inflammatory agent that is generally linked to stress, which can be used in evaluating inflammation levels for individuals who are normal-weight and also overweight. The study covered a course of two types of psychological stress tests. Then the researchers divided the participants according to weight and basing their study on several factors like fat percentage and BMI body, the researchers were able to gather sufficient data that led to their conclusions.
The researchers of the study noted that the chance of contracting stress-related diseases double with lean and overweight participants because both reacted similarly to stress during the testing’s first day, this is even if the overweight participants have higher IL-6 levels. However, on the study’s second day of testing, the researchers noticed a significant elevation in the overweight participants’ IL-6 levels. The researchers stated that the levels nearly doubled during the second day of testing. Individuals often decide to visit an urgent care near me when the stress they are experiencing is getting harder to bear.
The findings of the study were published in the Journal Brain’s online site and it was entitled “Behavior and Immunity.” In most cases, individuals with high IL-6 levels who decide to visit an urgent care clinic experience some type of stress recently. The study proved that every point percentage of body fat that increases, it makes the body more vulnerable to inflammation. The researchers added that fully understanding stress-related diseases took a major step because of the study.