Adrenal Fatigue Can Ruin Your Diet
Your adrenals are the size of a walnut and weigh less than a grape, don't let their size fool you; these powerful endocrine glands manufacture and secrete steroid hormones such as cortisol, estrogen and testosterone that are essential to your health and vitality.
They not only significantly affect the functioning of every tissue, organ and gland in your body, they also have important effects on the way you think and feel. Without the hormones the adrenals produce you would die.
What is their main function?
The adrenals main function is to enable your body to deal with stress, ranging from injury, disease, work or relationship problems. They determine the energy of your body's responses to every change in your internal and external environment. Whether they signal attack, retreat or surrender, every cell in your body responds, and you feel the results. In modern society these stress responses are triggered by circumstances such as being stuck in a traffic jam, difficult work mates or boss, air pollution, family quarrels, lack of sleep, financial problems, poor nutrition, and over indulgence. If your adrenal function is low, your body cannot respond and adapt properly to these stresses. The health problems associated with adrenal function are then a further source of stress.
It is your adrenal's job to keep everything in balance, for example the protective activity of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant adrenal hormones like cortisol help to minimise negative and allergic reactions, such as swelling and inflammation, o alcohol, drugs, foods, enviromental allergens, cancer, infection and autoimmune disorders. These hormones closely affect your conversion of food and nutrients into energy, the distribution of fat around your middle and at the sides of your face, blood sugar regulation cardiovascular, and digestion.
After menopause the adrenal's gradually become the major source of sex hormones in both men and women. These hormones have a host of physical, emotional and psychological effects, from the level of your sex drive to your tendency to gain weight. Every athlete knows that hormones affect muscular strength and stamina.
How did I get Adrenal Fatigue?
When your adrenals cannot meet the demands of stress. The adrenals mobilise your body's response to every kind of stress (physical, emotional or psychological) through hormones that regulate energy production, storage, heart rate muscle tone and other stress process's. Whether you have an emotional crisis or constant stress in your life your adrenals have to respond, if they don't or their response in inadequate, you will experience adrenal fatigue, and your output of adrenal hormones will be diminished through over stimulation. This can be caused by either a very intense single stress or repeated stresses that have a cumulative effect.
Self Care
There is no magic pill, first and foremost are lifestyle adjustments.
* Lifestyle, drink more water and go to bed earlier.
* Stop negative self talk
* Relax more
* Laugh
* Exercise daily but gradually
* Nutrition- see a food coach as nutrients will help.
* Eat natural and high quality food at frequent intervals.
* Reduce or avoid refined carbohydrates, alcohol and stimulants.
* Stop eating on the run, chew food slowly.
* Always eat breakfast.
* If you have low blood pressure add a little salt to your diet.
* Ask your nutritionist about adrenal support supplementation.
* Take a good Multi vitamin and mineral boost
* Vitamin C supplement daily.
In severe cases consider getting your Stress Profile Hormones tested.
DHEA, Progesterone and Cortisol may be tested using a saliva tests, If levels are low a short course of natural Cortisol, DHEA or progesterone may be prescribed by a knowledgeable doctor.
Are you feeling frustrated with your weight? Is it difficult to maintain a healthy weight? Do you feel exhausted during the day?
A 12 week program with one of our nutrition coaches will help you over come Adrenal Fatigue and regain your healthy weight.
For further reading
Adrenal Fatigue The 21st Century Stress Syndrome, by James L. Wilson ND. DC. PhD.
The information herein on our website is general information provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care. It is not intended nor should it be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Persons who have or suspect they may have an illness or medical condition should seek the guidance of a qualified health professional.
