[Psychogenic stimulation of the immune system by nutrition]

Psychogenic influences on the immune system become evident via the nervous system, particularly in its paraspecific part and the parameters there of. On the one hand the sifting and systematization of the investigations carried out so far forces criticism and evaluation of methods, shows on the other hand however a number of important findings and conclusions, which can be deduced from this knowledge. (1) Immunosuppressive effects have to a great extent their roots in psycho-social influences, leading to an overtaxing of the human capacity to adapt; occupational stress, depression, helplessness, loneliness, hopelessness, lack of social support, suppression of emotional disturbance and aggression, psychological vulnerability, etc. (2) A psychogenic stimulation of the immune system is founded in certain personality traits (self-confidence, openness, etc.) and a life-style, which is characterized by security and support in the social sphere, by the ability to handle one's illness positively, by recognizing effective forms of coping with stress, as well as trust and faith in realizing the unlikely and a will to survive based on self-discipline. (3) Forms of hyperalimentation, malnutrition and wrong eating habits result in immunosuppressive effects and, in highly developed industrial countries, have their roots in stress situations, which cannot be coped with (e.g. stress due to separation from partner, stress connected with divorce, occupational stress, loneliness, helplessness, lack of social support, suppression of emotional disturbance and aggression, sleep deprivation, immobilization, etc.) and are therefore founded in variables of life-style and biography.