DUBAI: In recent weeks, many people across the Gulf have been navigating a sense of uncertainty as events continue to unfold in the region. Even while daily routines continue, the emotional weight of what is happening around us can quietly build in the background.
Many people assume that if they are eating well, exercising regularly and maintaining healthy habits, their physical health should remain stable. Yet one important factor is often overlooked in this equation — stress, particularly the kind that accumulates gradually and silently over time.
During uncertain times, the body enters into fight-or-flight mode. We think we are coping, but actually we have this underlying sense of anxiety, which shows physically and mentally. You could be eating perfectly well, but your sugar levels could be rising because of stress, along with your cortisol levels.
Stress is not only a psychological experience, it is also a biological one. When the body perceives a threat, it releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, this response is protective and helps the body react quickly to challenges. However, when these hormones remain elevated longer than intended, it increases blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
Over time, this sustained stress response can begin to affect metabolic health, accumulate visceral fat around internal organs, and increase cardiovascular risk. Persistently elevated cortisol has been associated with insulin resistance, even in individuals who maintain otherwise healthy habits. People may notice stronger cravings for high-calorie foods, fatigue or difficulty losing weight despite eating well and exercising regularly.
The effects can extend even further. Prolonged stress may disrupt hormonal balance, affecting sleep, thyroid function and reproductive hormones. It can also increase stomach acidity, disturb gut flora, and weaken immune defenses while increasing inflammation throughout the body.
Because many of these changes occur beneath the surface, monitoring certain biomarkers can provide valuable insight. Cortisol — particularly when measured through a saliva test — can help identify abnormal stress patterns, with elevated levels often indicating prolonged physiological stress.
Other markers can also provide important clues: Higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein may signal increased inflammation, while low levels of vitamin D, magnesium and ferritin may contribute to fatigue, reduced immunity and lower resilience to stress. Blood sugar markers are equally important — elevated fasting blood glucose or HbA1c levels may indicate impaired glucose regulation, often linked to chronic stress and metabolic strain.
Wearable technologies that track heart rate variability can also provide signals about how well the nervous system is adapting.
Today, healthcare is no longer just about treating illness. It’s about building and staying resilient. When we understand how external stress is affecting the body, we can take corrective steps early, before those changes develop into long-term health issues.
Nadine Karadag is the co-founder of Dubai-based Valeo Health, which provides healthcare services into patients’ homes through a digital platform.
