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Understanding Stress and Your Body

Research-based guidance on how stress affects your body and practical strategies for building stress resilience, from the National Institute of Mental Health.

About This Resource

Stress is one of the most common yet misunderstood factors in health. This resource draws from National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) research to explain how stress affects the body and what you can do about it.

Why We Share It

We share this because understanding stress is often a critical first step in a root cause approach to many health challenges. Chronic stress may affect virtually every system in the body, making it one of the most important factors to address.

Stress: A Root Cause Factor

At Nepute Wellness, we frequently see how unmanaged stress may contribute to a wide range of health challenges: digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, sleep problems, cognitive difficulties, and chronic inflammation. Research published in the Annual Review of Psychology has demonstrated that chronic stress may affect virtually every system in the body.

How Stress Affects Your Body

When you experience stress, your body activates the “fight or flight” response, releasing cortisol and adrenaline. While this response is helpful in short bursts, chronic activation may lead to elevated cortisol levels that research suggests may disrupt immune function, metabolism, sleep, and digestive health.

The National Institute of Mental Health identifies several key ways stress may manifest: headaches, muscle tension, digestive problems, sleep difficulties, mood changes, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite or energy.

The Stress-Health Connection

Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found associations between chronic psychological stress and increased risk of cardiovascular events. Similarly, studies in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity have demonstrated links between chronic stress and immune system dysregulation.

This is why addressing stress is not just about “feeling better” emotionally. It may be a fundamental root cause factor that influences physical health outcomes.

Building Stress Resilience

The NIMH recommends several evidence based strategies for managing stress: regular physical activity, maintaining social connections, practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques, ensuring adequate sleep, and seeking professional support when needed.

These strategies align with the Nepute Wellness approach to whole person care. When we assess a patient, stress management is always part of the conversation.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public domain material used with attribution.

Root cause, not symptom management: addressing stress may be one of the most impactful steps you can take for your overall health.

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Knowledge Is Power

Wisdom Is Applying It To Your Life.

Chronic stress may affect virtually every system in the body, from immune function and metabolism to sleep, digestion, and cardiovascular health.
Cohen S et al. Annual Review of Psychology, 2007
Addressing stress is not just about "feeling better" emotionally. It may be a fundamental root cause factor that influences physical health outcomes.
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

In-person examination deposits ($50) are non-refundable but may be applied toward rescheduling. Virtual consultation fees are non-refundable once the appointment has taken place. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us at least 24 hours in advance.

BioLimitless products are subject to the BioLimitless return policy. Education materials and training courses are non-refundable once accessed. For full details, visit our Refund & Returns page at neputewellness.com.

Fasting requirements depend on which tests are included. For blood panels, fasting may be required (typically 8-12 hours). For HRV testing, avoid caffeine and exercise 2-4 hours before. For thermography, avoid hot/cold beverages, exercise, lotions, and deodorant 4-6 hours before. Detailed preparation instructions are sent after booking.
Yes. Digestive issues are a core focus of our functional medicine approach. We use comprehensive testing to identify root causes such as gut dysbiosis, food sensitivities, SIBO, leaky gut, or nutrient deficiencies. Treatment may include gut restoration protocols, dietary modifications, targeted probiotics (like Master Microbiotics), and addressing underlying factors affecting digestion.
Basic Examination includes 5 tests: HRV, thermography, sEMG, X-rays, and urinalysis. Comprehensive Functional Insights adds ANS exam, comprehensive blood panel, and EKG (if indicated) – 8 total tests. Human Performance Exam includes all of the above plus DNA Discovery Kit (900k+ SNPs) and organ/vascular ultrasound – 12+ advanced diagnostics. See Solutions pages for complete details.
Choose virtual for specific questions, second opinions, pre-visit planning, or if you’re outside St. Louis. Choose in-office for comprehensive diagnostic testing, hands-on treatments (chiropractic, IV therapy), or when you need the full assessment experience. Virtual can help determine if in-office care is right for you.
Product recommendations are personalized based on your diagnostic findings and health goals. Common foundational products include Detox Pro Plus (daily toxin defense), Master Microbiotics (gut restoration), and Cell Signals (cellular energy). Stacks combine multiple products for synergistic effects. We may recommend specific products based on your genetic testing, nutrient deficiencies, or treatment goals.

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Dr. Nepute and his wellness center is absolutely amazing. If you’re looking for an all inclusive approach to getting answers for your health issues, this is where you want to be. Dr. Eric Nepute is extremely knowledgeable and gets to the root cause of the problem. I love the fact that he has multiple sources of ways to help and when he runs a blood work panel, it is very detailed and in depth in which other doctors just don’t do. I feel extremely lucky to have found him and really appreciate that we have someone like him in our area that loves to help people.
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The doctors and staff are amazing. We moved our family to Nepute Wellness Center last spring when our daughter was not getting the care she needed from her pediatrician. They are quick to respond to any questions we have, get us in for a visit at the last minute and truly care about us. I’m so thankful we found his office!
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I am so impressed with their facility and personalized level of care. The value they pack into one small but nice facility is impressive. It’s clear the primary focus is solely on providing the best care experience possible for the patient. I was amazed at everything they’re able to do in one day in one place fast tracking the road to healing. Dr Nepute is personable and caring with a vast knowledge of chronic diseases. He initiated a simple doable plan to help where others couldn’t. Because he and his staff are part of my health team I have hope of achieving a true level of wellness I thought was impossible. I encourage everyone especially skeptics and those who’ve been run around through the health care system for years to give this facility a try.
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Dr Nina is an excellent provider, she empathizes with her patients and tries to provide as much needed medical counseling as possible.
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Dr. Eric is the best! He truly takes the time to patiently teach us the right way to health. Layla is so good at what she does since while we were visiting I noticed she had already started my injection. Holly is always so pleasant and helpful. You all are a great team!
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Nepute runs a fantastic office with other amazing chiropractors and overall fantastic staff. Very friendly and personable – they really care about you. I have been seeing Dr. Nepute for 4 years now an
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I have been coming to your wellness center for over 2 years now and have been excited and pleased to have Dr Eric available to discuss my changing health needs. His encouragement and advice I found very good. His pleasant delivery is welcome. After our meeting I took advantage of most of your wellness equipment and chiropractic services. There is always a great adjustment and a nurse practitioner to use more direct help to target areas as identified by the chiropractors when needed.
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Functional Medicine Clinic in St. Louis, MO

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