When it comes to the topic of stress, most people will agree that it is the inevitable byproduct of everyday life. Where the agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of how to deal with it. Whereas some are convinced that stress can simply be “handled” rather than minimized, others maintain that measures must be taken to reduce unnatural levels in the body. “Stress begins with something called the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis (HPA), a series of interactions between endocrine glands in the brain and on the kidney, which controls the body’s reaction to stress” (Murgia). In the brain, stress, which “negatively impacts every cognitive function,” causes the production of free radicals, unstable atoms that are missing an electron (Alban). Free radicals are naturally occurring in the body as a result of processes such as metabolism, however, environmental factors play a dramatic role in the increase of these atoms. In addition to stress, other factors such as diet, exercise, lack of sleep, pollution, smoking, and nicotine products can drastically increase the rate of free radical production (Large). Luckily, the body has a natural immunity to free radicals -- another type of molecule called antioxidants. Antioxidants are most commonly found in food and counteract the destruction of free radicals by donating an electron of their own to stabilize the atom. While the antioxidants the body naturally makes are enough to neutralize the actions of intrinsic free radicals, they are not sufficient to offset those levels elevated due to external factors. For this reason, it is essential that the body receives additional nutrients found in antioxidant-rich foods to aid in battle against free radicals, which can lead to development of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and mental disorders. Due to the increase in external environmental factors, risk of neurodegenerative disease, and danger of anxiety and depression, everyone should take antioxidant supplements in order to replenish the deficiency of essential nutrients naturally present in the body. 

Chronic stress causes changes in the brain that ultimately predispose the body to the development of neurological diseases. Oligodendrocytes are the cells that produce the myelin that surround neurons throughout the body. Myelin is the fatty layer that protects the cell body and speeds the electrical signals that travel down the neuron, allowing for rapid communication in the body to relay information such as sensory signals and muscle movement. As the body undergoes chronic stress, the production of oligodendrocytes increases, creating an excess of myelin in the brain. As the amount of myelin increases while neural connections remain the same, the crucial balance between white matter (myelin) and grey matter (neurons) becomes skewed. As white matter outnumbers grey matter, the neural connections between certain parts of the brain become unbalanced (Sanders). The hippocampus is the region of the brain which primarily regulates emotion and short-term memory, and is closely connected with the activity of the amygdala, the area of the brain associated with fight-or-flight response. Being the fear center of the brain, “stress increases the size, activity level and number of neural connections in this part of your brain,” which only causes a more fearful response (Alban). In addition, “cortisol can kill, shrink, and stop the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus,” which is detrimental, as this is the memory storing center of the brain, as well as being “critical for learning, emotional regulation, [and] shutting off the stress response after a stressful even is over” (Alban). As myelin builds up, the connectivity of the hippocampus and the amygdala strengthens, inciting a stronger response of fear and worry in stressful situations. Simultaneously, the connectivity of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain responsible for conscious decision making, weakens, therefore as the amygdala tells the brain to stress out more, the frontal lobe cannot as easily tell the hippocampus to relax (Sanders). Moreover, “studies show that when you’re stressed, electrical signals in the brain associated with factual memories weaken while areas in the brain associated with emotions strengthen,” indicating that the association between the hippocampus and the amygdala is apparent and significant (Alban). Stress also shrinks the prefrontal cortex, which “negatively affects decision making, working memory, and control of impulsive behavior” (Alban). In result, a positive feedback loop begins to develop in which, as chronic stress increases, the body’s response also becomes elevated – a cycle that wears away at the brain over time.      

As seen in Fig. 1, more than half of teens feel that they suffer from moderate levels of stress (4-7 on a 10-point scale), and more than a quarter from extreme levels (8-10 on a 10-point scale).  This data was taken in a survey of 1,018 United States teens in 2013 to evaluate average stress levels in the past school year. Upon review of Fig. 1, it is evident that more than three- quarters of teens struggle with adequate to severe stress as well as the symptoms that accompany it (American Psychological Association). Moderate to chronic stress originating in adolescence as a result of school workload and pressure initiates the chemical hormone release in the brain that inevitably leads to the physical alteration and deterioration of brain cells as the body ages. “These findings are especially sobering when paired with research that suggests physical activity, nutrition and lifestyle – all wellness factors the survey revealed to be affected by stress in teens and adults – not only contribute to adolescents’ health now, but also to habits that can be sustained into adulthood,” a staggering fact within itself, but is only worsened by the fact that these additional contributing factors, physical activity, nutrition, and lifestyle, are all elements that can increase free radical production (American Psychological Association).

In the body, hormones are used by the endocrine system to communicate emotions. The hormone group most excessively present in times of stress is glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoid receptors in the dendrites of neurons appear most abundantly in the hippocampal region of the brain. This means that, over time, as chronic stress is endured, the release of large amounts of glucocorticoids degrades the neurons in the hippocampus. As neurons diminish in this region of the brain, it causes the hippocampus to physically shrink, resulting in adverse effects to learning, memory, and emotion. Such physical changes in the brain are thought to be the leading cause of depression and other mental disorders (“New studies of human brains show stress may shrink neurons”). A study done at Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that “lasting [glucocorticoid] steroid levels appear to change dendritic structures. Thus, stress may lead to a loss of neurons, particularly in the hippocampal area” (Esch et al.). Cortisol, which flows through the bloodstream constantly, has been termed “public enemy #1” and excessive exposure “leads to a host of physical health problems including weight gain, osteoporosis, digestive problems, hormone imbalances, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes” (Alban). As stress persists, neuron degradation perpetuates, eventually causing a level of deterioration that results in mental disorders. Most prominent among these are Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

“When stress becomes chronic, it changes your brain’s function and even its structure down to the level of your DNA” (Alban). Evidence exists that strongly supports the theory that oxidative stress is a precursor for neurodegeneration present in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, both familial and sporadic. Alzheimer’s disease is now the sixth leading cause of death, and “one in three US seniors will die with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia,” making it the most expensive disease in the country (Alban). Oxidative stress is the imbalance of free radicals and antioxidant levels, creating inflammation as free radicals deteriorate neurons. In Alzheimer’s disease, the brain develops abnormalities known as senile plaques, essentially a tangle of proteins composed of beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloid, derived from a protein present in nerve myelin, “may block cell-to-cell signaling at synapses and also activate immune system cells that trigger inflammation and devour disabled cells” (“Alzheimer’s Brain Plaques”). Accumulation of inflammatory response due to oxidative stress damage encourages formation of senile plaques indicative of Alzheimer’s disease (Esch et al.). Therefore, an excess of free radical damage in the brain with insufficient antioxidant opposition creates the inflamed environment that allows for development of senile plaques later in life. Additionally, it has been found that “stress, particularly stress that occurs in midlife, increases risk of Alzheimer’s,” “anxiety, jealousy and moodiness in middle ages doubles your risk of developing Alzheimer’s,” and “chronic stress and elevated cortisol contributes to dementia in the elderly and hastens its progression” (Alban).

Another neurodegenerative disease that is predisposed by oxidative stress is multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which demyelination degrades the protective layer on the outside of neurons (myelin) and results in slowed communication within the body, and eventual loss of muscle control completely. Research is beginning to unveil an underlying environmental and situational cause of multiple sclerosis to be the result of glucocorticoids. In stress response, glucocorticoids “may serve as effector molecules for the induction of stress-related pathophysiological mechanisms in MS” (Esch et al.). In short, hormones released during a stressful situation suppress the immune system in a way that renders it unable to fight the deterioration caused by multiple sclerosis and leaves the body more susceptible to damage. Additionally, “glucocorticoids can cause rats’ brain cells to shrivel, as the dendrite branches that they use to communicate with other neurons wither away,” an effect that can surely also be seen in humans (Sapolsky). While it has not been indisputably proven that stress causes multiple sclerosis, it has undoubtedly been linked to the worsening of symptoms once diagnosed. “Moreover, psychological, cognitive-behavioral, or stress management interventions may become increasingly important therapeutic tools in the future treatment of MS,” antioxidant therapy especially (Esch et al.). Furthermore, the blood-brain barrier, the semi-permeable membrane that filters and protects the brain from harmful chemicals and substances, is highly sensitive to toxins and easily affected by stress. “Stress makes the blood-brain barrier more permeable, in effect making it leaky,” which then allows for toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and pathogens to enter the brain and wreak havoc (Alban). Recent evidence has now brought to light that “having a leaky blood-brain barrier is associated with brain cancer, brain infections, and multiple sclerosis” as well (Alban). 

“Stress predisposes you to developing a variety of mental illnesses including anxiety and panic disorders, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, drug addiction and alcoholism” (Alban). The relationship between stress and mental disorders such as anxiety and depression has been proven to be markedly more correlated than that of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and MS. While those diseases present a moderate to strong association to stress levels in the body, “stress may actually mediate, promote, or even cause mental disorders like depression, including major depression” (Esch et al.). Here, elevated glucocorticoid steroid levels present in childhood or adolescence predisposes the body to “hyperactivity of the stress response system,” making it increasingly more likely to develop anxiety or depression as aging occurs (Esch et al.).  Moreover, stress associated with depression, namely in people who had recovered from long-term, major depression, was “found that the people with a history of depression had smaller hippocampi averaging as much as 15 percent smaller in volume” (Sapolsky). In these instances, those individuals who suffered from chronic depression experienced elevated stress levels, and consequently underwent neural degradation and shrinking as result of excessive glucocorticoid exposure. 

The brain has its own special version of an immune system, composed of microglia, unique immune cells that shield the central nervous system from pathogens, contaminants, and infections. Chronic stress, “one of the factors that increases the risk of activating your microglia,” activates the microglia’s eternal on/ off switch and thus produces inflammation until it dies (Alban). This theory, termed the cytokine model of depression, operates on the condition that activated microglia produce cytokines, which are linked to “depression including major depressive disorder and risk of suicide, … anxiety, memory loss, and inability to concentrate, as well as some serious disorders including schizophrenia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s” (Alban). Cytokines are proteins that are produced throughout the body and serve to regulate immunity through mediation of inflammation and hematopoiesis, the production of blood cells and platelets.

To minimize the possibility of developing neurodegenerative diseases, common sense dictates that precautionary measures should be taken to reduce the risk of development of such prevailing neurological defects. “Chronic stress destroys your happiness and peace of mind, it wears you down mentally and emotionally, and saps the joy from life,” causing side effects such as excessive worry and fear, mood swings, crying spells, or suicidal thoughts, trouble concentrating and learning new information, feeling overwhelmed, forgetfulness, mental confusion, and difficulty in making decisions. Foods such as blueberries, grapes, nuts, and beans are well known for their antioxidant composition. However, an increasingly preeminent antioxidant complex known as Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC’s) are plant derivative bioflavonoids that support practically all metabolic systems in the body by acting as “free radical scavengers” (“What is OPC?”). Their ability to counteract free radical damage in the brain supersedes that of natural antioxidants found in foods. Unfortunately, OPC’s are “not usually found in our daily diets in quantities approaching therapeutic value, and the amount present in raw food is often destroyed during cooking” (“What is OPC?”). There are, however, supplemental OPC antioxidants which deliver the most powerful response to oxidative stress damage in the body, “supporting the circulatory system and strengthening the capillaries, protection against free-radical damage caused by exposure to certain drugs, environmental contaminants, and ionizing radiation” (“Isotonix OPC-3 *Super Antioxidant*”). Cortisol, additionally, “creates a surplus of the neurotransmitter glutamate,” stimulating the production of free radicals which “actually punch holes in the brain cell walls, causing them to rupture and die” (Alban). Therefore, to counteract this damage in the brain, antioxidant supplements, such as Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, should be taken in order to reduce potential destruction.

Others may argue that stress is a natural bodily occurrence, and that those trying to manage it are simply attempting to avoid the unavoidable. Trials have indicated that one type of antioxidant, beta-carotene, can actually be detrimental to the body in large doses. In an article in the Harvard School for Public Health Journal, the author sites a beta-carotene trial for men in Finland. The results were unexpected, as “the trial was stopped early when researchers saw a significant increase in lung cancer among those taking the supplement compared to those taking the placebo” (“Antioxidants”). However, while it is true that beta-carotene has adverse effects in exaggerated doses, it does not necessarily mean that all other antioxidants do as well. Supplements can be purchased that are tailored to any patient specific dietary needs, excluding beta-carotene and any other undesired nutrient. Overall, it can be evidently seen that antioxidant supplements are necessary to reverse the damages caused by oxidative stress in the body. If everyone were to take such supplements, there would most likely be a much smaller percentage of the population suffering from neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, MS, anxiety, and depression. If those adolescents struggling with stress do not begin to replenish their antioxidants artificially, they could be setting themselves on a path of irreversible destruction in the body that could cause them to regret later in life.
