Hormesis or Harm?
Perfectionism is not a requirement
Hormesis: a beneficial or stimulatory effect caused by exposure to low doses of an agent known to be toxic at higher doses.
Whether a substance is hormetic or harmful is dependent on both the amount and the individual.
There are certain things in life that prime us to be better, for example, a disappointing life event teaches us how to handle disappointments, how to get back up on our feet. Exercise breaks down muscle tissue in order to rebuild it.
Other things that stimulate or prime our body for health that, in excess can cause harm, but in balance contribute to health are:
- Appropriate radiation for stimulating vitamin D synthesis.
- In excess this would cause mitochondrial damage
- Adventure: small amounts provide us with joy/ improved sleep.
- Too much can be scary and floods us with inappropriate adrenaline on an ongoing basis.
- Cortisol: necessary to stimulate hormone receptors
- But a constant flow will over work the adrenal glands
- Insulin: appropriate levels allow sugar into the cells for energy
- In excess will cause organ dysfunction
- Methionine restriction: has been shown in repeated studies to help increase mitochondrial health, increase mitohormesis- greater mitochondrial biogenesis, increase ATP synthesis, but this is done in a short time with an appropriate end.
- Oxygen, water, cholesterol, and estrogen are all necessary but detrimental in excess.
- Weight bearing exercise
- Fasting temporarily
- Temperature stress
Balanced hormesis means that the stimulus is limited. Meaning, at some point it stops. It has limited duration and intensity, which actually allows us to step away from the challenge so that we can rest, recover, fortify, heal, and get replenished. We must allow our parasympathetic to be activated after the challenge, the challenge must stop, and this is a critical lesson to learn.
Hormesis or harm is completely dependent on the individual: is this mountain climb going to give me a good aerobic challenge, or will it be a life-threatening experience?
It’s not about the mountain
...or the virus, or the bacteria, or the stressor. It is about the dose of the challenge for the person and WHO THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.
Hormesis also means that perfectionism is NOT NECESSARY and can actually be disease promoting. We need the little challenges, the small toxic exposures, the pro oxidant challenges so that our bodies can work in balance and release antioxidants, build muscle, and develop resiliency.
If you are worried to begin a functional medicine program because you feel it requires perfection, remember that perfection NOT A REQUIREMENT and our program actually advises against it!
Stay Vibrant and Empowered
- Kathryn
