Stress can alter the cholesterol levels even when the diet remains unchanged. Indeed stress plays a part in a huge number of conditions. Just a very few of these include high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, respiratory ailments, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, cold sores, shingles, hives, gastritis, migraine headache, chronic backache, and an entire spectrum of endocrine and autoimmune problems. The entire list is immense. Emotions contribute to crime and other maladaptive destructive behavior, poor job performance and as we all know, to far too many family and other relationship problems.
Emotional stress influences other parts of the health pyramid.
Indeed, modern research has shown that stress can either increase or decrease the very amount you eat. While many know of the health challenges emotions produce, it is surprising to most of us that emotions are physiologically or bodily based. Our western bias has been that emotions are psychologically or mind based, and indeed there is a psychological aspect. However, one of the most revolutionary neuroscientific discoveries of the late 20th century is that of the profound influence of neuropeptides. Neuropeptides are chains of amino acids which are produced in various body cells, including brain cells, and more-less float in the ambient fluids of the body.