Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the intestines. The immune system attacks the intestines, causing chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Crohn’s disease is becoming increasingly common, particularly in people in their 20s. It equally affects males and females. New research has shown stress can be a major trigger of the condition in genetically susceptible individuals.

This finding came from a team of researchers from McMaster University, the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, and the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, and was published in the journal Nature Communications. Common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal bloating and nausea. It is thought that an imbalance in the microbes that live in the intestines is a trigger and aggravator of the disease. In this new research, the scientists have found that stress can lead to such an imbalance, which in turn leads to a flare up of the disease.

The research involved stressing laboratory mice and then measuring the levels of several different types of bacteria in their gut. The scientists also measured stress hormone levels. When looking at their results, the researchers found a connection between increases in stress hormone levels and increases in some types of potentially problematic gut bacteria, especially Enterobacteriaceae. The researchers believe that stress leads to a weaker immune response in the gut, allowing more harmful varieties of bacteria to multiply and proliferate. When harmful gut bugs multiply, they can damage the gut lining, inciting ulcers and other lesions. The researchers discovered that when they gave the mice drugs to suppress the production of stress hormones, their immune response improved, bad bacteria numbers dropped and the symptoms of Crohn's disease were reduced.

Several factors are known to be able to trigger an autoimmune disease to develop, or cause the flare up of an existing disease. They include genetics, infections, nutrient deficiencies, environmental chemicals and hormonal imbalances. We all know intuitively that stress can negatively impact our health. Research confirms this. Additionally, the strain of living day to day with autoimmune disease, and the fatigue and pain it may cause, is another significant source of stress. This can create a vicious cycle and significantly impair healing.

Chronically elevated cortisol can have a negative effect on your immune system’s ability to fight infections. An overgrowth of bad gut bugs can cause a leaky gut. As your immune cells try to fight the bugs, damage to the intestines can occur. Cortisol also has direct negative effects on the digestive tract. It opens up the tight junctions between intestinal cells and promotes leaky gut syndrome. This has a major negative burden on the immune system. Long term stress can lead to adrenal gland exhaustion, which can worsen inflammation and impair healing.

Trying to manage stress as best as you can is important. I have found that magnesium improves sleep quality and has a calming, relaxing effect on the nervous system. People who have adequate magnesium tend to handle stress better, with less negative consequences on their body. Gentle exercise, massage, counselling and spending time with pets and loved ones is also highly therapeutic. There is a great deal of helpful information about overcoming autoimmune disease in my book Healing Autoimmune Disease: A plan to help your immune system and reduce inflammation.

Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-26992-4

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.