Today, stress seems like an unavoidable part of life. Whether it’s family, work, money or all three, daily pressures seem to surround most of us on the regular. But there are ways to combat stress.
A University of Colorado research team has now found a connection between stress management and Mycobacterium vaccae – a bacterial strain that eats decomposing plant matter in soil.
It might sound strange, but yes, dirt could actually make you happy!
Clinical testing has revealed that M. vaccae could lower inflammation and protect the body against the effects of stress. The study’s scientists located and purified an anti-inflammatory triglyceride from M. vaccae and then introduced them into the immune cells of mice.
This unique fatty acid triglyceride attached itself to a receptor inside the immune cells, actively blocking the molecular pathway associated with stress and inflammation. The result was that the immune cell was protected against stress.
Less stress means deeper and more refreshing sleep, healthier hair and skin and even greater longevity. At present, much more research needs to be done into the function of M. vaccae, but current findings are encouraging.
Some researchers have started to talk about a “stress vaccine” that could be given to people with demanding, high-stress jobs, like firefighters or military. The theory is that such a vaccine could lower the risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.
You can read more about the full story here in Medical News Today.
