Stress and Chronic Disease

Question 1

What are the 5 biomarkers for measuring stress?

Answer 1

Catecholamines, allostatic load, inflammatory markers, telomere length, cortisol

Question 2

How is cortisol used to measure stress?

Answer 2

NOT measured by absolute amounts. Measured multiple times throughout the day due to natural diurnal rhythms where cortisol peaks in the morning (30 mins after waking up) and slowly declines throughout the day.

Preferably measured by less invasive saliva testing. (blood testing may be stressful).

Question 3

How do cortisol levels of those with chronic stress from discrimination, etc. (low SES, blacks, Hispanics) measure up to whites, higher SES?

Answer 3

The peaks are lower and the curve is flatter.

Flat curves = cortisol dysregulation = chronic stress

Question 4

T/F: Chronic stress is a powerful predictor of health and health behaviors independent of SES.

Answer 4

True. However disadvantaged populations have overall disproportionate levels of chronic stress.