I suppose all environmental toxins, pollution, and viral insults can be considered stress which then sets up a cycle of inflammation and nutritional insufficiency to satisfy escalating needs.

I do believe that part of our problem is poor food quality in addition to all the environmental insults setting us up for such deficiencies.

I myself have some gut issues which began in youth with dysentary and intestinal parasitic infections.

Inflammation=stress and stress=inflammation.

I too am of the belief that stress does a "number" on the body.
As a rule, I don't think physicians take certain things into consideration:
1. Stress and its influence on the body.
2. How certain medications might deplete nutritional values.
3. How aging might cause nutritional concerns.
4. How certain conditions might benefit by using supplements in conjunction w/ medication

I have been impressed by the B vitamins.
I have been dismayed by how one of my meds...one that has helped me...has also caused me much heartache.

I keep an eye on this forum.