Fat cells may explain why stress causes health problems, study finds

‘This was a completely unexpected finding,’ say Yale biologists who carried out study

Scientists believe they may have discovered why stress triggers flare-ups of some health conditions (Getty )

Fat cells may hold the secret to understanding why psychological stress can worsen health problems, according to a study which scientists say could lead to new treatments.

Researchers have long been puzzled by the ability of stress to trigger flare-ups of conditions such as diabetes and autoimmune disease, as well as cause depression and anxiety.

The symptom seemed counterintuitive as the hormones associated with the typical “fight or flight” stress response, cortisol and adrenaline, generally suppress inflammation rather than activate it.