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For such a powerful feeling as stress, the physiological response happens in a tiny part of our bodies: the adrenal glands. Just 3 inches wide and located just above our kidneys, these endocrine glands produce our panicky, “fight-or-flight” response to danger. We can thank our primitive ancestors, who had to be on high alert for predators; because of their survival needs, humans developed the adrenal response, or the release of adrenaline, cortisol and glycogen into the body. Together, these three chemicals increase our heart and respiratory rates and blood pressure. We tense our muscles, sharpen our senses, and slow our digestion so we are primed to either escape the danger, or fight back. When the threat is gone, our adrenaline levels quickly normalize, but cortisol stays in our bloodstream a little longer.
These days most of us find ourselves in a chronic state of stress. This forces our adrenal glands to sustain high levels of cortisol. Over time, continuously elevated cortisol levels begin to damage healthy tissue and adrenal fatigue sets in.
The symptoms of adrenal fatigue are:
- Weight gain, especially abdominal fat
- Depression
- Poor concentration
- Mood swings
- Acne and other skin problems
- Heightened sensitivity to cold
- Carbohydrate/sugar cravings
- Craving salty or fatty foods
- Need for coffee or stimulants to feel alert and energetic in the morning
- Poor immune function
- Low libido
Premature menopause, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, and chronic fatigue syndrome are also associated with adrenal fatigue.
The good news is, with proper support, adrenal fatigue can be reversed!
Think of the walnut-shaped adrenal glands as the body’s hormone headquarters. Here, the hormones that circulate and fluctuate throughout our bodies are produced: the outer layer, or adrenal cortex, produces cortisol and the sex hormones—estrogen, testosterone and DHEA—while the inner portion produces adrenaline.
The primary job of the adrenal gland is to command all of your body’s resources into “fight or flight” mode when necessary, by increasing production of adrenaline and other hormones. If your adrenals are healthy, they will instantly increase your heart rate and blood pressure when called upon, release energy for immediate use, slow your digestion, and sharpen your senses.
But we should remember two things about this healthy stress response:
- It takes priority over all other metabolic functions
- It’s a very brief response, not designed to last long
Unlike our ancestors, most of us live with chronic stress, so we churn out much more of the stress hormone, cortisol, than our bodies were designed to produce. We rely on it in times of stress because it helps to transform our hidden stores of energy, called glycogen, into glucose, an immediate source of energy that our bodies need to survive. Once the crisis has passed, our cortisol levels should drop. But in our fast-paced lives marked by chronic stress, cortisol gets pumped through our bodies on a more or less constant basis.
There are consequences to cortisol overload: Muscle and bone start to break down. The immune system’s healing powers become vulnerable. Digestion is disrupted, we lose our mental sharpness, cells don’t regenerate as they should and our metabolism no longer operates smoothly. Moreover, as your adrenal glands are under constant pressure to produce more and more cortisol, they no longer can produce the important hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), which the other hormones rely on. So, we respond to this interruption in DHEA production by feeling tired, experiencing bone and muscle loss, being more vulnerable to infections and losing sexual desire.
But there is hope! We can control how much cortisol our bodies produce by first controlling our responses—our actions, thoughts and emotions—to the stressful triggers in our lives. As we take responsibility for how we think and feel, and for the kinds of foods and supplements we choose to consume, our bodies respond by feeling more balanced, alert and upbeat.
Balancing your adrenal function is critical to overall health. If you experience any of the above symptoms of adrenal fatigue, we recommend that you have a complete physical exam to rule out serious illness or other factors.
We’ve found that women with mild to moderate symptoms of adrenal fatigue can experience great relief with these tips:
- Improve your nutrition and reduce carbohydrates and stimulants. Forget the muffin and triple latte for breakfast; instead focus on natural foods that are minimally processed, preferably organic or locally grown. Fruits, vegetables, certain whole grains (such as millet, quinoa and amaranth) and lean proteins should be staples in your diet.
- Eat protein with every meal.
- Take a high-quality Super Supplement like our Women’s Empowerment Formula. Our Women’s Empowerment Formula contains many times the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of folic acid, the B vitamins and magnesium, which are depleted when we are continually stressed out. These substances have been clinically proven to support our nervous system and reduce stress, and our high-quality super nutrient protocol is sure to help balance your adrenal function.
- Supplement with quality fatty acids and fish oils. While there are many quality fish oil supplements on the market, it’s important that they be contaminant-free and manufactured in a NSF GMP-registered facility. The Essential Fatty Acid Complex in Women’s Empowerment Formula is made of concentrated marine fish oil, providing a total of 1,000 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids daily. Our oil is the highest quality available and has gone through an extensive molecular distillation to ensure its purity from contaminants such as mercury and other heavy metals.
- Start a mild exercise program. But please, take it slow! Exercise is a form of stress, and women with adrenal fatigue can’t risk depleting their energy even more. We suggest starting with gentle exercise that incorporates deep breathing, such as yoga or pilates.
- Get some sleep! Many of us underestimate the healing powers of sleep. We suggest eight to nine hours of sleep each night. Try going to bed by 10 p.m., before the adrenal glands kick in their “second wind” to keep you up between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.—the time when our adrenals work their hardest.
- Take a look at your emotions. It’s so important to remember that our emotions affect our health just as powerfully as food and exercise! What you are thinking, feeling and believing is actually changing the genetic expression and chemical composition of your body. If you are unsettled by feelings of anger, depression, or guilt, then please consider exploring these emotions more deeply and learn to deal with them in a constructive way. Think about talking with a counselor or therapist, or joining a support group, so you can heal and move forward. There is a new science called energy psychology, which holds much promise of healing the source of emotional stress patterns that we may have developed in childhood. One promising technique is the Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT. To learn more check out: http://www.emofree.com/
Most of our clients can expect to see dramatic turnaround within about four months, or even less for those with mild to moderate adrenal fatigue. If you’re feeling too sluggish to begin a wellness program, start with baby steps. The Women’s Empowerment Formula is a high-quality supplement and diet program that benefits all women, regardless of their energy levels—so even if you are severely fatigued, it’s a good way to add nutrients that will have you feeling positive results very quickly! Then, when you’re ready for a fuller effort, incorporate a few more changes and soon you will build the strength you need to stay with your program. You’ll love how you feel when that happens!
While many health books and websites recommend supplementing with over-the-counter DHEA, we strongly discourage self-prescribing this powerful hormone.
Your health can be affected if you take the wrong dose of DHEA. Please talk with a trained healthcare provider before taking any hormones—even if they are over-the-counter.
Our Women’s Empowerment Program is a great way to support your adrenal health!
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