Hormetic Stressors

Hormesis is defined as an adaptive response of cells and organisms to a moderate (usually intermittent) stress. Basically, a hormetic stressor is a  good stress on the body that helps you become more resilient than before the stressor.

Let’s do some biology review.

Mitochondria are energy providers. The energy we use is called ATP – or Adenosine Triphosphate. ATP is found in all complex organisms. Without this energy, there is no life. 

Mitochondria are incredible cells, but we need to make sure we keep them working at their best. Hormetic stressors help mitochondria become stronger and more resilient. This is good!

We want big, strong, capable mitochondria.

Some examples of hormetic stressors are

• Fasting
• UV light exposure
• Cold exposure
• Heat exposure
• Astaxanthin
• Exercise

The one most people may not think of as a stressor, is exercise. Ari Whitten, from the Energy Blue Print states that exercise is so beneficial for the body because it temporarily creates stress that builds this resilience. The mitochondria become bigger and stronger and can handle other issues with more stamina. Exercise temporarily creates more inflammation (soreness) and oxidative stress in the body. Although that might not sound good, if we allow our bodies to heal, we ultimately come away with less inflammation and oxidative stress. Let’s provide good stress so that we can combat bad stress.

What happens if we do not partake in hormetic stressors? 

If we do not take part in these hormetic stressors, than our bodies, at the cellular level, will experience atrophy. They will become weak and smaller and not able to with stand other stressors.

This is just one reason why exercising is so important. It literally is a temporary stress that helps fight other long term stressors.

To benefit from these hormetic stressors we must allow our bodies to recover. This goes back eating the right foods, sleeping the best we can, and healing our gut.

So let’s get to work on improving and building the best mitochondria and bodies we can!