How toxic relationships cause chronic medical conditions – expert

A lifestyle medicine practitioner, Dr Abiodun Adelowo, says individuals in toxic relationships are exposed to factors that can damage their bodies, leading to chronic medical conditions.

Adelowo, also the Vice-President of the Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

He listed some of the conditions as hypertension, diabetes, cancers and depression.

According to him, living in toxic relationships stresses individuals and can cause the release of chemicals that are harmful to the body.

“When people live in toxic relationships, they have this bitterness; they are angry with each other and are always fighting.

“The body becomes stressed, it releases stress chemicals like adrenaline, cortisol and free radicals in response to these situations.

“Once these chemicals persist in the body, they have a way of causing damage to the body and with time, all these chronic conditions start cropping up,” he said.

He, however, said that studies had shown that laughter is medicine to the body.

He said that people in cordial and happy relationships had people to laugh and joke with, making the body secrete chemicals that can reverse the effects of toxins in the body.

He said that some of these chemicals included oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine and epinephrine.

The expert urged individuals to ensure that they created atmospheres that could help foster good relationships in various aspects of their lives.

He cautioned against the use and exposure to harmful substances, including alcohol, as well as second-hand and third-hand exposure to tobacco.

He recommended that those already suffering from chronic diseases should adopt lifestyle changes in their diet by eating more plant-based foods, and fish and chicken, instead of red meat.

Adelowo further recommended regular exercise, adequate sleep, mental health and stress management.

“When you move your body, good chemicals are released, which are benefitting your body to help control blood pressure.

“It does a lot of wonders. It is anti-depression, anti-anxiety and makes you sleep better,” he said.