According to renowned endocrinologist, Hans Sale, 1907-1982, M.D., Ph.D., formerly head of the University of Montreal's Institute of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, "reaction to stress is governed mainly by three tiny glands: the pituitary, which nestles under the brain, and the two adrenals, which sit on either side of the kidneys. Together they weigh only about a third of an ounce, yet the hormones they secrete have a huge influence on vital body functions."20
"The apparent cause of illness," says Dr. Selye "is often an infection, an intoxication, nervous exhaustion or merely old age. But actually a breakdown of the hormonal-adaptation mechanism appears to be the most common ultimate cause of death."
Vietnam veterans who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder are more likely to have autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis and hypothyroidism, the CDC study has found.
The extremely potent hormones released by the pituitary and the adrenals have exceedingly high COD. The adaptation to and metabolism of these hormones require oxygen and a lot of it. The glands eventually wear out, test animals sicken and die. Oxygen is depleted throughout the entire system. Stress can kill.