Hormetic stressors

Hormetic stressors and hormesis

"That which does not kill us, makes us stronger." – Friedrich Nietzsche

Hormesis makes the body stronger

Beneficial stress factor aka eustress is also described in the literature as a hormetic stressor. Hormesis is the biological effect of some stress-causing factor in the body, where a small dose is beneficial and strengthens the body, but a high dose is almost toxic. Hormetic stressors include physical training, sunbathing, open-air swimming, plant phytochemicals, and temporary calorie restriction.

The Hormesis Theory is based on the 2001 review of the Toxicological Sciences -journal, which explored the effects of nearly 700 chemicals in the body. The study found that the dose-response curve shows a U- or J-shaped curve, depending on the dose amount. Small doses were helpful; the higher the dose, the more toxic the substance became. This observation has been confirmed by looking at the dose-response relationship of up to 9,000 different substances.

Hormesis has been neglected in toxicology for nearly 70 years, but in the light of recent studies, hormesis has gained appreciation being a more important factor than value thresholds in explaining the effects of various substances.