Inflammation’s Link to Anger and Hostility
It is fairly well known that stress affects the long-term health of your body. But researchers are discovering that it may be the way we react and feel when we are stressed that dictates to what magnitude it will affect us. Specifically, what’s known as negative affect, such as anger, hostility and frustration, may be linked to the increased inflammation responsible for the health consequences that occur when we’re stressed. Previous research has shown that hostility and inability to control anger can significantly impact the cardiovascular system, the central nervous system, and longevity.1-4 It is also well-established that inflammation is associated with numerous health imbalances. Thus, the relationship between negative affect and inflammation may be the mechanism by which these mood states impact health.
Inflammation is a normal and protective physiological process in which the immune system becomes activated, usually in response to an injury or infectious agent. The inflammatory process involves the initiation of a cascade of events including white blood cell activation and recruitment, increased permeability of blood vessels, and the stimulation of pro-inflammatory cellular mediators including specific cytokines, prostaglandins and eicosanoids. However, chronic activation of the inflammatory response can occur regardless of infection or injury, having effects on body tissues. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are cellular mediators such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interferon (IFN)-gamma that are released from white blood cells in the immune system and are involved in initiation and propagation the inflammatory cascade. Research has shown that negative affect can increase levels of these cytokines.
Inflammatory Cytokines and Occasional Negative Mood
In one study, 102 subjects performed a public speaking task to induce an acute stress response. The subjects were evaluated for affect and levels of IL-6 at rest, immediately after the public speaking task, and again after 30 minutes. The results of the study showed that reported anger and unease was associated with increases in IL-6. The researchers concluded, “These results suggest that individuals who exhibit angry or [uneasy] responses to acute challenge are more vulnerable to stress-related increases in markers of systemic inflammation.”5
Another study evaluated IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, in 525 subjects in response to an emotional recall task. The subjects were also assessed for hostility ratings and gender. The results showed that the subjects with the highest hostility rating had the largest CRP response. A similar study with 855 middle-aged subjects also showed that hostile affect was independently associated with increased CRP and IL-6.6 In one study, researchers evaluated the association between the inflammatory cytokines and symptoms of trait negative affect and perceived stress in 183 healthy adults 30-54 years of age. The study showed that IL-8 was associated with negative affect and perceived stress. The study also found that as perceived social support declined, IL-8 levels increased.7
A related study examined the relationship between hostility and cytokines produced from white blood cells known as T-helper cells (Th). Th1 cells secrete the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, while Th2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10. In this study, 193 healthy adults were assessed for hostility using the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale and evaluated for Th1 or Th2 cytokines. The study found that greater hostility was related to greater production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma but was not associated with any of the Th2 cytokines. Further analysis revealed that Th1 cytokine production was primarily driven by the cognitive component of hostility, particularly cynicism, and was unrelated to social factors.8
Negative Affect, Inflammation, and Health
Researchers have been examining not only the relationship between negative affect and inflammation, but also how this related to health maintenance. Cardiovascular health may be impacted by increased inflammation; thus, this is an area of increasing research as negative affect is associated with increased cardiovascular imbalances.9 In one study, researchers evaluated the correlation between hostility and cardiovascular health. The subjects in this study included 34 men. The subjects were evaluated for hostility, cardiovascular activity, plasma levels of IL-6 and salivary cortisol to evaluate the stress response at the beginning of the study, during the performance of mental tasks, and 2 hours after performing the task. The results of the study revealed that the subjects with higher hostility scores had increased reactivity of their blood pressure to the stressful mental tasks, and showed a sustained increase in systolic blood pressure 2 hours after the task. Additionally, hostility was associated with increased plasma IL-6 75 minutes and 2 hours after the stressful mental task. Hostility was also associated with decreased salivary cortisol 75 minutes after the mental task. The study authors concluded, “Hostile individuals… may be particularly susceptible to stress-induced increases in sympathetic activity and inflammation.”10
A recently published study also examined the relationship between hostility, systemic inflammation and the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is defined by a constellation of difficulties in maintaining healthy blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipids, and weight gain. This study found that in women, hostility was associated with increased CRP levels and a 34 percent increased risk of the metabolic syndrome. The researchers stated that hostility is associated with metabolic syndrome and systemic inflammation in women and these conditions may be factors linking hostility to suboptimal heart health.11
Another interesting study examines the relationship between negative affect, inflammation and insulin sensitivity. In this study, 58 healthy men were evaluated for negative affect, secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and insulin sensitivity. Evaluation of the subjects was done at the beginning of the study and again 15 minutes after participation in an Anger Recall Interview. The study showed that in men with lower insulin sensitivity, increases in stimulated cytokine secretion were associated with arousal of negative affect with the experimental stressor.12
Natural Inflammation-Modulating Support
Numerous botanicals and natural supplements have been shown to support healthy inflammatory pathways, including reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with the consequences of negative affect. Anti-inflammatory botanicals include Stephania tetrandra, Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle), Ocimum sanctum (Holy basil), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), Boswellia serrata (Frankincense), Camellia sinensis (Green tea), and Perila frutescens (all found in Advanced Inflammation Control).
Research indicates that Boswellia serrata decreases levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6. Consistent with this finding, Boswellia has been shown to have positive effects on several inflammatory concerns.13 Similarly, ginger has been shown to inhibit IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma14 and the anti-inflammatory constituents tetrandrine and fangchinoline found in Stephania tetrandra have been shown to decrease IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha.15 In addition, the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been shown to inhibit the production of numerous inflammatory mediators, including TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6.16 Urtica dioica has been shown to reduce IL-1 beta, IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.17-18 In fact, human studies indicate that Urtica dioica decreases lipopolysaccharide induction of TNF-alpha by 80 percent and IL-1 beta by 99 percent.19 Luteolin, a flavonoid found in high concentrations in Perilla frutescens, has also been shown to inhibit TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8.20-21
Enhanced Well-Being
Enhancing well-being may also provide benefit in individuals prone to hostility, anger or frustration. Natural substances including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the amino acid L-theanine, ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) (found in Allay™) have been shown to have calming properties. L-theanine, found in green tea, has been shown to significantly increase activity in the alpha brain waves indicating that it relaxes the mind without inducing drowsiness.22 Passion flower has been shown in a double-blind randomized controlled trial to promote relaxation.23 Similarly, ashwagandha extract has been shown in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to enhance feelings of calm.24 GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. Activation of GABA(A) receptors promotes good sleep quality, and GABA administration has been shown to significantly increase alpha waves and decrease beta waves. This suggests that GABA induces relaxation.25
Conclusion
Research indicates that negative mood states such as hostility, anger and frustration increase inflammation in the body. Healthy inflammatory pathways in the body are associated with cardiovascular health and other aspects of total wellness. Thus, reduction of inflammation in those individuals prone to negative affect and modulation of occasional negative mood is important for optimization of overall health.
References
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