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Anxiety and Insomnia Undermine the Body's Defense System

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. nsomnia-undermine-the-body-s-defense-system.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 1:15 GMT by Moneycontrol
      Locale: Maharashtra, INDIA

Anxiety and Insomnia: A Silent Force That Weaken the Body from Within
*(Based on the Moneycontrol article “Anxiety and insomnia weakens the body from within, warns new study”)

The health‑and‑fitness landscape is increasingly acknowledging the physical toll of mental and sleep disorders. A recent investigation—highlighted in a Moneycontrol feature—sheds new light on how chronic anxiety and poor sleep can erode bodily resilience, making individuals more vulnerable to infections, chronic diseases, and even premature mortality. Below is a detailed, word‑by‑word summary of the study’s methodology, findings, and practical implications, drawing on the information presented in the Moneycontrol piece and the linked primary research.

1. The Study at a Glance

2. Methodology: From Questionnaires to Blood Tests

The research team used a mixed‑methods approach:

1. Psychometric Assessment – Participants completed the GAD‑7, a validated 7‑item anxiety scale (score range 0‑21), and the PSQI, which measures sleep quality across seven domains (subjective sleep quality, latency, duration, efficiency, disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction). Scores ≥8 on GAD‑7 and ≥5 on PSQI were flagged as clinically significant.

2. Biological Sampling – Fasting blood draws provided data on: - C‑reactive protein (CRP) – an acute‑phase inflammatory marker. - Interleukin‑6 (IL‑6) – a cytokine associated with chronic inflammation. - Cortisol – a stress hormone, measured via salivary samples taken at waking, noon, and bedtime. - Immunoglobulin G (IgG) – an antibody indicating humoral immune capacity.

3. Physical Function Tests – Grip strength (Jamar dynamometer), sit‑and‑stand (10 repetitions), and a 6‑minute walk test measured muscular and cardiovascular performance.

4. Statistical Analysis – Multiple regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking status, and physical activity levels. Interaction terms explored whether the anxiety‑insomnia link was moderated by lifestyle factors.

3. Key Findings

3.1 Elevated Inflammatory Markers

• CRP levels were, on average, 1.7 mg/L higher in participants with both high anxiety (≥8) and poor sleep (≥5) compared to those with low scores (p < 0.001).
• IL‑6 concentrations followed a similar pattern, with a 40 % increase in the high‑risk group.

3.2 HPA Axis Dysregulation

• Morning cortisol was markedly elevated (≈25 % higher) in the anxiety‑insomnia cohort, indicating sustained activation of the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑adrenal (HPA) axis.
• The diurnal cortisol slope (difference between morning and bedtime levels) was flatter, a known predictor of cardiovascular risk.

3.3 Impaired Humoral Immunity

• IgG titers against seasonal influenza were 12 % lower in the high‑risk group, suggesting diminished vaccine responsiveness.

3.4 Reduced Physical Performance

• Grip strength decreased by 9 % and the 6‑minute walk distance shortened by 15 m in the anxious, insomnia‑affected participants (p < 0.01).
• The sit‑and‑stand test revealed a 25 % increase in failure rates among those with both conditions.

3.5 Dose‑Response Relationship

The study identified a graded risk:
- Participants with either high anxiety or poor sleep had intermediate risk (≈+10 % inflammatory markers).
- Those with both conditions experienced the highest risk (≈+20 % inflammatory markers, +30 % cortisol, +18 % immunoglobulin deficit).

4. Biological Plausibility

The Moneycontrol article, through a commentary by Dr. Gupta, highlighted several mechanisms:

1. Chronic Sympathetic Activation – Anxiety triggers the “fight‑or‑flight” response, elevating catecholamines and suppressing lymphocyte proliferation.
2. Sleep Fragmentation – Poor sleep hampers the restorative processes in the hypothalamus that modulate immune function.
3. Oxidative Stress – Elevated cortisol and catecholamines increase free‑radical production, damaging cell membranes and proteins.
4. Gut‑Brain Axis – Both anxiety and insomnia alter gut microbiota, leading to increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) and systemic endotoxin exposure, further fuelling inflammation.

5. Public Health Implications

5.1 Increased Susceptibility to Infections

Lower IgG levels and higher CRP/IL‑6 are consistent with a blunted immune response. The authors cautioned that populations with high anxiety/insomnia may be at greater risk for: - Respiratory infections (e.g., COVID‑19, influenza).
- Recurrent infections (e.g., urinary tract infections).
- Slower wound healing post‑surgery or trauma.

5.2 Chronic Disease Risk

Persistent inflammation is a well‑known driver of atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The study’s findings suggest that mental and sleep health could be upstream targets for preventing these conditions.

5.3 Mortality

Prior literature links elevated CRP and flattened cortisol slopes to all‑cause mortality. Although this study was cross‑sectional, the authors recommend longitudinal follow‑up to confirm causal pathways.

6. Interventions and Recommendations

The Moneycontrol piece concludes with actionable strategies:

1. Cognitive‑Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT‑I) – Evidence‑based first‑line treatment that improves both sleep quality and mood.
2. Mindfulness‑Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) – Short‑term workshops that reduce anxiety scores by up to 30 %.
3. Regular Physical Activity – At least 150 min of moderate aerobic exercise per week improves HPA axis regulation and lowers CRP.
4. Sleep Hygiene – Consistent bedtime routines, limiting caffeine after noon, and reducing blue‑light exposure improve PSQI scores.
5. Vaccination Timing – For individuals with chronic anxiety/insomnia, vaccinating during periods of lower cortisol (e.g., early afternoon) may enhance antibody responses.
6. Nutritional Support – Omega‑3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and probiotics can mitigate inflammation and support gut‑brain axis health.

7. Broader Context and Related Studies

The article links to several other pieces:

• A New England Journal of Medicine review (2022) that documents the bidirectional relationship between depression and immune dysfunction.
• A meta‑analysis in Psychosomatic Medicine (2021) showing a 25 % increase in cardiovascular events in people with chronic insomnia.
• A recent WHO report on mental health and pandemic preparedness that underscores the importance of addressing sleep disorders as part of public health strategy.

These references reinforce the study’s novelty: while anxiety‑induced inflammation is known, the synergistic effect of concurrent insomnia on systemic health is less explored.

8. Take‑Home Messages

1. Anxiety + Insomnia ≠ Just a “Mental Problem.” They translate into measurable biological changes that can compromise immunity, increase inflammation, and weaken physical performance.
2. Early Identification Matters. Screening for anxiety and sleep quality in primary care settings could identify individuals at risk of chronic disease.
3. Integrated Care is Key. Combining CBT‑I, stress‑reduction techniques, lifestyle modifications, and medical monitoring offers the best chance of reversing or mitigating the physical consequences.
4. Research Gaps Remain. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm causality and determine whether interventions that reduce anxiety/insomnia also normalize immune markers and reduce disease incidence.

9. Final Thoughts

Moneycontrol’s feature distills a complex, interdisciplinary study into a format accessible to the general public. It moves the conversation beyond the “mind‑body split,” demonstrating that our mental states and sleep habits leave tangible fingerprints on our immune system and overall health. By adopting holistic interventions and advocating for routine screening, both individuals and health systems can turn the tide against this silent, pervasive threat.