Find some time and give this a watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7K_1XTvUz0

I don't know about you guys, but this is absolutely true for me.  It was like a big light bulb, and suddenly my life makes sense now, including all of my past/current health struggles.

I've been doing a lot of research this last year after both Dr D and my acupuncturist have enlightened me about the real, palpable effects of stress.  Problem is, I never recognized its influence because I don't feel "stressed out" since following the diet.  But regardless of how well I eat or how many supplements I take, I always seem to have reoccurring issues with the GI system.

Turns out that all of the extra adrenaline (and maybe cortisol?) floating around disrupts the duodenum and colon ( http://gut.bmj.com/content/13/10/790.abstract ), which causes the gall bladder issues, bowel inconsistencies and subsequently thyroid & brain imbalances (for me; everyone has their unique symptoms).

Anyway, the whole hierarchy connection to stress observed in Baboons is so very true.  Ever since moving into a house with other people, doing freelance video jobs, helping my friend with his YouTube channel, and essentially forfeiting control over different aspects of my life this last year, I can't seem to ever reach 100% in my mood & digestion.  But the times when I've lived alone, felt like I was doing my own thing & completely in charge of life, I've always felt the best & had the fewest complaints.  Most energy, positive mood, etc.  

Just thought I'd share, since it was such a huge revelation for me!  In regards to the title, I still think diet is the most important factor in health, I just wanted to grab your attention   Hope this helps someone!

Alpha male chimpanzees have a very high cortisol level in their urine and decreased lifespan compared to subordinates.
They are always stressed and having to always be on the lookout for others to overthrow them or take their females, and they lead the group and govern the affairs of the group.

Awesome video Eric.  Thanks.  

Debra

I'll watch it later.  I think Os have a very holistic situation; you have to do both the diet AND the exercise to relieve the stress.  I've been looking at the work of a trainer/coach named Scott Sonnon to get some fresh perspective on the whole thing.

I think stress is so important! I am quite a stressed person and can feel straight away when I start to get worried or scared.

My mum on the other hand is extremely good at coping with stress. She's an O but eats a lot of carbs, hardly any meat, 4 apples in one go, coconut biscuits and anything she fancies, but she is very resilient.

She would always tell me to relax and eat what I want to help me get better. I have always questioned whether stress is more important than diet.

Eric, what a timely post! I just watched this on PBS last week and it made such a difference in the way I view stress. I make a real conscious effort now to keep it in check. I was thinking of posting on it, but it didn't appear it was being broadcast again any time soon but you came up with the whole documentary on youtube! I know as a Hunter I have the potential to get thrown off very easily and from reading the forums, it seems I am not alone. We may have to work extra hard at this.

Lisa

If any of you have ever read Live Right For Your Type, Dr. D says that cortisol levels are naturally higher in blood type A.  Type A people easily become paranoid...have a lot of fears...so this blood
group is disadvantaged handling stress from the start.

I'm taking Cortiguard, 3x a day but it doesn't seem to be enough.  I need calming techniques like
alternate nostril breathing, tai chi, qi gong, yoga and meditation....I really have to focus on making
myself aware of my breathing.  It's easy for me to hold my breath when I'm upset which leads to full blown panic if I'm not careful.

As we age cortisol rises even more.

Chloe, I may not be an A but I share in their challenges for managing stress. That long list of stressors for type A are all stressors for me too! I considered taking cortiguard but NAP said it wasn't intended for me.

As an A blood type I'm aware of the stress factor.  I can go from 0 - 60 seconds with a small stress that probably would not bother anyone else.   I have to watch that I don't push the envelope too far.

But I have also read that stress is natural for people because it is a motivator and moves people forward.   Alot of people can't relate to that.   But people with ADD may relate.

We have all heard the phrase "people who thrive on stress" .    I am an A but I also have ADD and that adds another dimension of stress to the equation.

At the present time I am in a situation (not working) where I am not motivated to move forward.  Certain factors have lead to this conclusion.   It feels good to rest and go with the flow.  At the same time, though, this is quite stressful to me.  I enjoy being involved and challenged . Even in middle age I feel that I have alot to offer.  That presents many thoughts.  Go back to school, start my own business, etc.  .  When I am running around doing multiple things at once I'm actually in a good place.  

Does that make sense to anyone?    I can do many things suceessfully  BUT  they have to be done at my own pace. This is part of having ADD.  

Being a Blood Type A and having to "watch out for my stress levels" is non exclusive when an event that fits my being presents itself.  Then believe it or not it becomes much easier to choose what to do first and so on to "get all my ducks in a row".  

I love when that happens because while it takes a certain effort to set this up at the same time it also feels effortless (like the Universe just presented the situation especially for me.

I've had this happen and it is not a manifestation of the ego.  It just is.

Joy

Quoted from Andrea AWsec

As we age cortisol rises even more.

I can attest to that....which is truly a great big bummer!

And thanks for sharing the video, Eric....it was really really interesting.   

I have a hard time with stress.  I work in an office of cubicles doing computer work all day, with people all around me talking, coughing, phones ringing, speakers making an "ahOOoooga!!" noise all day to alert network outages, etc.  What a madhouse of a work environment!  But, I only have 4 years of it left and then I'm retired.  When I'm off diet, I can handle it better, because I'm not stressing so much being on a diet.  While on the diet, I feel really edgy, so I've ordered some Traq. Base and Cort. Guard.  I also got Chamomile tea and tincure at work.  I suck down Cham tea all day long.  It's the only thing that keeps me sane at the moment.  And my headphones.  

Being an explorer, doing a lot of physical activity helps me and completely relaxes me!

I am going to die early because of stress...

Oh and it is definitely controlling my bowel speed, thyroid, testosterone, all of that... etc...

take care about you're going to identify .... this is all what makes us go!!!
Believe systems,thoughts and almost A and AB's are driven by high kinetic mental energies....

As often there is the positive stress, that helps us to perform and to give our best and the yucky people,  the unbearable noise and confusion that wear us out.
As  recorder and flute player I must keep away the bad stress and every unnecessary disturb  to perform in a concert, but I must and can deal with the good stress !
Kindness and good manners are a good antidote to many stresses imho!
I dislike to deal with people who complain often, belittle, makes always rant., warn you of  unreal dangers, and I suffer just a bit loud noise and long travels.

Haven't watched but a minute of it , but saved it to watch later, love it "three minutes of screaming terror on the savanna after which either it's over or you are" lol!!!

Great movie.. even mentions the Hungerwinter. Thanks Eric!

Quoted Text

Great movie.. even mentions the Hungerwinter. Thanks Eric!

Yeah, and telomeres, another thing I learned about from Dr. D! It was amazing how many things they touched upon that I learned since studying the BTD and Dr. D's work.

Thank you very much for posting this!  Very helpful show!

This link seems relevant:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/08/are-your-co-workers-killing-you/

From the above link:

After tracking thousands of civil servants for decades, the Whitehall data revealed that between the ages of 40 and 64, workers at the bottom of the hierarchy had a mortality rate four times higher than that of people at the top. Even after accounting for genetic risks and behaviors like smoking and binge drinking, civil servants at the bottom of the pecking order still had nearly double the mortality rate.

Great post, Eric.  Thanks for sharing.

I watch my husband who is constantly under a lot of stress, BUT he loves what he does and so his stress, in general, seems to be positive because he feels empowered.  He is also at the top of the pecking order, so to speak, as we own our own company.  He does not like it when he is not his own boss.

In general, he is a very happy O who loves to work hard and play hard.  He exercises hard regularly.  When he is not working, he is more like a type C - as in chilled.  I have always marvelled at how he can turn it on and off with ease.  

I am bookmarking the video to watch later when I have time. (I wish this thread gave us the option to tag posts so we could come back to it later.)

This A+ nonnie is a total stress case!  Even when I was young, stress had a huge impact on my health.  I once showed up to my finals in High School in the hot summer heat with a long sleeve turtle neck because I was so stressed I completely broke out into the hives.

The best stress reliever for me is a little time alone so I can hear myself think and work on what it is that needs to get done. There are so many distractions in this world