One of the amazing things about adaptation is what’s known as ‘cross adaptation’. Adaptation to one type of stress or load will, to some extent, increase the body’s ability to cope with stresses of another type. It is well know that a regular exercise program is associated with an increased tolerance to stress. Stress-related diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, ulceration of the stomach or duodenum, diabetes, dermatological diseases and disordered immunity have all been shown to have improved outcome with both exercise and IHT. Protection comes because the body becomes more tolerant and resistant to stress.
Dr F Z Meerson, one of the most prolific writers and researchers in the field of Adaptive Medicine, describes in his book Essentials of Adaptive Medicine — Protective Effects of Adaptation the three main mechanisms whereby adaptation to particular stressors protects an organism from damage:
• Fade away of the stress reaction
• Increased activity of the central and peripheral stress
limiting systems
• Desensitisation of target organs