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RISING WOMEN EXPERT
ADVICE...
How does adrenal
fatigue happen?
To understand how adrenal fatigue develops it is important to first
understand the original function of the adrenal glands. The adrenals are
walnut-sized glands located on top of each kidney. They serve as vital
manufacturing centers for many of the body’s hormones and are primarily
known for the production of our stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.
They are literally a hormone factory and significantly affect the function
of every tissue, organ and gland. They produce our anti-aging hormone DHEA,
our reproductive hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, as well
as aldosterone, which regulates our sodium and potassium.
If you are living your life in constant stress and always on the go, you are
constantly in the “fight or flight” mode, which triggers your body to burn
calories from carbohydrates and proteins (lean muscle), and NOT stored body
fats. This constant squeeze on the adrenal glands will cause your heart to
race, your blood pressure to increase, your digestion to slow down and your
immune system to go on alert. More importantly, it will affect your
metabolism, which controls your energy and your ability to lose weight. You
get two and a half times more energy when you burn fats instead of
carbohydrates or proteins.
Low blood sugar and digestive difficulties also cause the adrenals to
produce additional cortisol and adrenaline, which results in even more work
for the adrenal glands. Cortisol and adrenaline are used to balance blood
sugar when it drops. This brings on the cravings, hypoglycemia, PMS,
inability to focus, ADD and weight gain.
The effects of stress are cumulative and the more you call on our adrenal
glands to produce more cortisol and adrenaline, the faster you deplete your
adrenal glands. To better understand what is causing your symptoms of
adrenal imbalance certain clinics use a panel of simple saliva tests to
measure cortisol output throughout the day, tracking the adrenals’ 24-hour
pattern.
To restore healthy adrenal function: 1) Enrich your nutrition, reduce carbs
and cut back on stimulants; 2) Use nutritional supplements that support
adrenal function;
3) Reduce stress, including moderate exercise and taking more time for
yourself; 4) Get more rest. Remember, you may feel as though you’re just too
tired to make changes now, but by moving forward in incremental stages you
will build the strength you need to stay with it.
For more advice on adrenal exhaustion, contact Kimberly Mast at Essential
Energetics at 403.818.3978 or visit
www.essentialenergetics.ca to learn about her services. |
