HEALTHY LIVING TIPS

Do you have Adrenal Burnout? Fatigue or even Chronic Fatigue? Is your lifestyle exhausting? Abuse is caused by false stimulants, nutritional deficiencies, and bad habits. Your adrenal glands are triangular shaped located in the small back of the kidneys, one on each side.They help you cope with stress and the fight or flight syndrome producing 30-odd hormones that your glandular system calls essentials. Some other symptoms of burnout include eyes that are sensitive to light, allergic breakouts, easily startled, skin rashes, blood pressure fluctuations, flying in a rage easily, and also hypoglycemic factors. They also help with dangers and excitement. Vitamin C also supports adrenal gland function. Most of us do not take enough of this master nutrient, which works with all of our other nutrients and helps transport them into your cells and should be taken throughout the day. Glandulars are basically protein and need the same nourishment our other bodily functions depend on. They also work with the rest of the nutrients ongoing, to avoid susceptibility to infections, and our inability to cope with all the bad stuff (diseases) trying to grab us.

Don’t be adrenal compromised! Feel the Differences, Adrenal Glandular nutrients come in an assortment of our products.

We hear so much about the stress of our adrenal glands, being under attack by free nasty radicals these days. Did you know one dental X-ray equals a free radical since you are receiving a radiation dose of 20 mrems to your jaw in less than a second? Taking Adrenal Cortex with the multi-glands by Enzymatic Therapy will offset some of the damage and helps the rest of your body handle it. All of our defense mechanisms need to be addressed, and if you like tinctures, the Adrenal Support by Natra-Bio comes in little tabs or liquid. And when your hair is standing straight and end-goose bumps are starting to form, Schizandra Adrenal Complex by Planetary Formulas, the Classic Chinese Tonic (We Zi Wan, a kidney and liver herbal, because we wouldn’t want our livers stressed) used for centuries is very helpful. Schizandra is an adaptogenic herb, meaning not only helping with the stress of the adrenals, but liver too.

Since your adrenals are the first ones to get affected when allergies strike, Twinlab or Now Foods has the Pantothenic Acid 500 mgs, and just don’t take one. For big time allergies, taken with your Vitamin C is big time help. Remember do not skimp. It truly helps with sinus too. You will be amazed!

Click here for more products for Adrenal Support

By: Suma G Nathan

About the Author:

ADRENAL DIET

Your adrenal glands are two tiny pyramid-shaped pieces of tissue situated right above each kidney. Their job is to produce and release, when appropriate, certain regulatory hormones and chemical messengers.

Adrenaline is manufactured in the interior of the adrenal gland, called the adrenal medulla. Cortisol, the other chemical from the adrenal gland, is made in the exterior portion of the gland, called the adrenal cortex. The cortex also secretes androgens, estrogens, and progestins. Cortisol, commonly called hydrocortisone, is the most abundant — and one of the most important — of many adrenal cortex hormones. Cortisol helps you handle longer-term stress situations.

In addition to helping you handle stress, these two primary adrenal hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, along with others similarly produced, help control body fluid balance, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other central metabolic functions.

In the heightened nervous state of adrenal burnout, the body overproduces adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones. Constant stress and poor nutrition can weaken the adrenal glands. Eventually, this causes the adrenal glands, the front line in the stress reaction, to show wear and tear and become depleted. This frequently leads to impairment in the thyroid gland, which can cause a further decline in energy level and mood and is one of the reasons why many people have thyroid glands that don’t work well.

When stress continues over prolonged periods of time, the adrenal glands can deplete the body’s hormonal and energy reserves, and the glands may either shrink in size or hypertrophy (enlarge). The overproduction of adrenal hormones caused by prolonged stress can weaken the immune system and inhibit the production of white blood cells that protect the body against foreign invaders (in particular lymphocytes and lymph node function). Adrenal dysfunction can disrupt the body’s blood sugar metabolism, causing weakness, fatigue, and a feeling of being run down. It can also interfere with normal sleep rhythms and produce a wakeful, unrelaxing sleep state, making a person feel worn out even after a full night’s sleep.

Common Causes of Adrenal Stress

• Anger

• Fear / Worry /Anxiety

• Depression

• Guilt

• Overwork/ physical or mental strain

• Excessive exercise

• Sleep deprivation

• Light-cycle disruption

• Going to sleep late

• Surgery

• Trauma/injury

• Chronic inflammation

• Chronic infection

• Chronic pain

• Temperature extremes

• Toxic exposure

• Malabsorption

• Maldigestion

• Chronic illness

• Chronic-severe allergies

• Hypogycemia

• Nutritional deficiencies

Testing for Adrenal Health

In order to determine the health of your adrenal glands you need to have a simple blood, urine, or saliva test such as the Adrenal Stress Index performed by your practitioner. Cortisol levels can be checked throughout the day by saliva or in the am by blood. DHEA, and Epinephrine, are some other indicators of adrenal function. The information provided by testing can help to determine the most appropriate type of treatment.

Associated Symptoms and Consequences of Impaired Adrenal Functioning

• Low body temperature

• Weakness

• Unexplained hair loss

• Nervousness/Panic Attacks

• Difficulty building muscle

• Irritability

• Mental depression

• Difficulty gaining weight

• Apprehension

• Hypoglycemia

• Inability to concentrate

• Excessive hunger

• Tendency towards inflammation

• Moments of confusion

• Indigestion

• Poor memory

• Feelings of frustration

• Alternating diarrhea and constipation

• Osteoporosis

• Auto-immune diseases/hepatitis

• Lightheadedness

• Palpitations [heart fluttering]

• Dizziness that occurs upon standing

• Poor resistance to infections

• Low blood pressure

• Insomnia

• Food and/or inhalant allergies

• PMS

• Craving for sweets

• Dry and thin skin

• Headaches

• Scanty perspiration

• Alcohol intolerance

Treatment

Lifestyle changes such as:

Eating steadily, all day long. Skipping meals is one of the worst things you can do for your body. When you’re hungry, your blood sugar drops, stressing your adrenal glands and triggering your sympathetic nervous system. That causes light-headedness, cravings, anxiety and fatigue. Another drawback to skipping meals: The resulting low blood sugar can affect your ability to think clearly and shorten your attention span.

Skipping breakfast is particularly bad, as it is a sure fire way to gain, not lose, weight. If you start each morning with a good breakfast and “graze” healthfully every two to four hours, your blood sugar will remain steady throughout the day. You’ll feel more rested and energetic. Eat protein with every meal. Eat Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice.

Avoid sugar, junk food, white pasta, white rice, white bread.

Absolutely NO Caffeine. Coffee/Sodas over stimulates your adrenals and they deplete important B vitamins.

Coffee does not give you energy; coffee gives you the illusion of energy. Coffee actually drains the body of energy and makes you more tired, because of vitamin and adrenal depletion.

Exercise to relax. Walking, Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, or stretching. No vigorous or aerobic exercise, which depletes the adrenals.

Avoid alcohol, processed foods, and tobacco. Nicotine in tobacco initially raises cortisol levels, but chronic use results in low DHEA, testosterone, and progesterone levels.

Reduce stress; learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation.

Helpful Supplements

The use of small amounts of natural adrenal hormone (hydrocortisone) to bring slightly low adrenal function up to its proper normal daily range is often helpful.

Take a daily multivitamin to provide nutritional support to the adrenal gland.

Vitamin C 1,000-3,000 mg a day

L-Theanine 100-400 mg a day

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 300 mg a day

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), no more than 1000 mg of glycyrrhizin



By: Valerie Balandra Arnp

About the Author:

FIGHT ADRENAL FATIGUE

Nowadays, the subject of stress has become so commonly discussed that many people may not be aware of the major role that it plays in weight management. However, recent clinical studies have helped shed new light on the relationship between the two, and it seems that all that worrying may be taking a significant toll on your waistline.

There are three hormonal stress responses: acute, chronic, and adrenal burnout. Acute stress is often felt before a physical test, such as running a race or just prior to an automobile accident. In addition to a rush of anxiety and nervousness, many things are taking place at a cellular level in the body during acute stress. First, the brain’s hypothalamic center releases corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). This hormone then travels to the nearby pituitary gland, where it causes the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), which in turn travels through the body to the adrenal glands.

The adrenal glands then release three hormones. The first two are epinephrine and norepinephrine, which increase the heart rate and selectively increase blood flow to the muscles, lungs, and brain to allow for enhanced performance during the stressful moment. Following the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, a third hormone is released. That hormone is cortisol, which helps raise blood sugar and calm the body in order to let it recover from the stressful event.

While effective during times of stress, this chain of chemical reactions can be debilitating if allowed to take place repeatedly in the body. When this happens, it becomes chronic stress, which can lead to the persistent elevation of both cortisol and CRH levels. This can have negative effects on the body, specifically with regard to body weight. That is because increased cortisol can lead to insulin resistance, which promotes fat deposition.

Likewise, increased levels of CRH have been shown to increase inflammation, and chronic inflammation can ultimately result in further fat deposition. As chronic stress continues, the adrenal glands may eventually become fatigued and stop producing cortisol in response to CRH and ACTH. When cortisol levels become too low, it can lead to adrenal burnout. This can be potentially harmful, as normal amounts of cortisol are needed to help manage pain, inflammation, blood sugar, blood pressure, fatigue, mood, and emotional stability.

Since many herbs and nutrients help to regulate cortisol production and support the adrenal glands, nutritional supplementation may be an effective way to help reduce stress and maintain a healthy cortisol balance. For example, because the adrenal glands depend on vitamin B5, a B5 deficiency puts continual stress on the adrenal glands, which can eventually lead to exhaustion and malfunction of the glands. Herbs such as ashwagandha root, eleuthero root (ginseng), and rhodiola rosea are all considered adaptogenic; that is, these herbs have a history of supporting adrenal function and cortisol production, as well as enhancing our ability to withstand the negative effects of stress.

In addition to helping regulate blood sugar, banaba extract has been shown to reduce cortisol production and support adrenal function. The amino acid L-theanine is believed to induce relaxation and relieve emotional stress. This has to do with its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and contribute to the production of GABA, an amino acid well-known for its calming effects.

While healthy weight management involves many factors-including limiting the amount of calories you consume each day and following a regular exercise program-nutritional supplementation may also provide noticeable benefits. When choosing a supplement, look for these ingredients that help support adrenal health and regulate cortisol levels.



By: Brenda Watson

About the Author:

ADRENAL DIET