Stress- Adrenal Burnout
You are no stranger to stress. You already know how it wears you out and breaks you down. You probably know that stress is linked to almost every disease or sickness that we humans face, and I would imagine you already have more than a few coping mechanisms to deal with it
One way to look at what is happening with your body physiologically regarding Adrenal Fatigue.
Do you wake up in the morning feeling tired? Does your boost of energy dwindle as the afternoon approaches; causing you to crave something sugary or even coffee? Just to function at work or home do you need to be constantly stimulating your body with caffeine, sugar or food? You may be experiencing what is known as Adrenal Fatigue.
How do we get Adrenal Fatigue?
Adrenal Fatigue is just a name for a long-term problem that finally ends in additional stress or overload on the adrenal glands from multiple system failures. Simply stated: our body needs energy to function and healthy organs and nervous system to manage everything.
Glucose is the first level of energy mostly regulated by the liver. Thyroid function is also critical to maintaining good energy, repair, and overall metabolism.
Foods that are stimulatory like caffeine and sugar adversely affect both primary energy maintaining systems: liver and thyroid.
As the liver and/or thyroid functions decline, glucose levels will wildly fluctuate from high to low often quite quickly, such that a constant infusion of caffeine or sugar is needed to keep ones energy at a level high enough to work, live etc.
With progressive use of stimulants like sugar, caffeine as intake of poor-quality food, and other environmental insults the liver and thyroid function are further affected.
General Adaptation Syndrome
When faced with an emergency, our bodies kick into gear what is known as the “fight or flight” mode. During the “fight or flight” response the brain causes the pituitary gland to release a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands.
This ultimately leads to a cascade of events that secretes adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones to release energy to prepare for battle or to run away.
Unfortunately, because so many people have abused their system and have sluggish liver and thyroid function, the adrenals are called upon try to provide energy for daily use.
However, that is not what the adrenals were designed for and after prolonged overuse and abuse the adrenals will give out causing adrenal exhaustion, but the adrenals are never the primary problem, just the final failure of long term stress and dysfunction of the liver, thyroid, digestion, nutrient deficiencies, toxicities etc.
This is why just treating adrenals will not have a lasting effect or benefit. In fact, taking adrenal glandular is like taking thyroid medication. It will have an initial benefit but then your own adrenals and thyroid will slow down and stop working.
Adrenal Burnout or Exhaustion can cause the following:
- Low energy production causing difficulty rising in the morning.
- Muscle and joint function may be compromised.
- Tissue healing may be slower and can lead to chronic pain syndromes.
- More prone to osteoporosis.
- Reduced immune health: more susceptible to infections and allergies.
- Hypothyroid symptoms.
- Sleep disturbances: can’t sleep at night but wants to sleep all day.
How to Help Your Adrenals
It is important and vital to support the biochemistry of your body. (1)
- Reduce or restrict caffeine intake.
- Reduce or restrict alcohol intake. Alcohol produces a chemical stressor in the human body. It has the potential to elevate adrenal function which can lead to a disturbance in the sleep cycle.
- Address Stress in a Healthy Way
- Reduce refined carbohydrates in the daily diet. Refined carbohydrates are typically found in white flour and sugar. If consumed in the daily diet, it may lead to issues in controlling blood sugar levels.
- Eat away from the TV or office desk.
- Exercise (oddly enough) will lead to more energy and better sleep.
- Guided nutritional supplementation is important to support the adrenal gland and immune system. Vitamin C and E, zinc, magnesium, and fatty acids are supplements that support the role of the adrenal glands and help manufacture adrenal hormone. (2)
A thorough nutritional blood test is crucial to identify your problems and from that I can recommend a customized treatment program as well as preventative measures including diet and lifestyle changes, and proper supplementation based upon your individual test results.
Find out more here: https://drsteveventola.com/personal-health-analysis/
Contact me at drsteveventola@mindspring.com or 404-316-7081 to set up your initial or your review nutritional blood test so you can have more energy and feel healthier overall.
For Our Greater Health,
Dr. Steve
References
- Krause’s Food, Nutrition & Diet Therapy 12th Ed. 12th ed. England: W B SAUNDERS (FL/MO)-ELSEVIER Science HE, 2008. Print.
- Wilson, James. “What Is Adrenal Fatigue?” Adrenal Fatigue. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 June 2017.
