Not only is exhaustion a major complaint for many people but it seems like weight gain, cravings, PMS, hot flashes, allergies, depression and loss of libido also accompany this problem.
It’s called adrenal fatigue or exhaustion as a result of stress and poor diet. It’s commonly overlooked by mainstream medicine, but it’s so much more than simply stress and cortisol. It’s the adrenal glands and the duties they have to perform.
Adrenal function
The adrenal glands, we have two of them, are commonly known for producing our stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. But they produce other hormones that are responsible for so much more. They help regulate our metabolism, mood, heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, immune, reproductive and digestive system. They connect with so many other bodily systems that when they get out of balance – it’s like the first domino dropping. They affect other systems, which is why so many people who struggle with adrenal fatigue may also have many other general complaints.
The adrenal glands, like the thyroid and reproductive organs are part of the autonomic nervous system. They regulate everything without us having to worry about them. The problem is that constant stress triggers the continual production of cortisol and adrenaline. The body is designed to handle short term stress, NOT prolonged, continual stress. Cortisol and adrenaline are not bad hormones, as many infomercials would like us to believe. It’s the continual production of those hormones telling the body to “fight or flight.” When the body is in that “fight or flight” mode all day – it doesn’t allow the other system, called the “Resting Digesting” mode to turn on. This will throw off your metabolism because cortisol and adrenaline will burn calories from carbohydrates and protein instead of stored body fats.
This is why so many people have a hard time losing weight and keeping it off. Learn more about adrenal fatigue and weight loss in “To Burn or Not to Burn, Fat is the Question” (Brown Books) Yes, their body is burning calories, but they are NOT burning calories from stored body fats, which is also why they struggle with cravings, mood swings, lightheadedness, lack of concentration and focus. Elevated cortisol will:
o Interfere with your thyroid hormones and throw off your metabolism, which contributes to fatigue, weight gain, mood swings and depression.
o Decrease the level of progesterone and disturb the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, because progesterone is needed to make cortisol. Decreased progesterone is associated with PMS, hot flashes, night sweats, infertility, osteoporosis and heart disease
o Erode the intestinal lining and weaken your digestive system. This leads to food allergies, indigestion, heartburn, reflux and other irritable bowel problems.
o Cause your cells to become resistant to insulin. This causes the body to produce more insulin, which causes the body to store fats. This contributes to blood sugar problems, hypoglycemia, diabetes, as well as obesity, high blood pressure and triglycerides.
o Trigger a decrease production of serotonin, which is associated with depression, anxiety and mood swings. Lack of serotonin hampers the production of melatonin, which is released while we sleep and helps the body rebuild.
o Over-stimulate our immune response and confuse our immune system that could lead to allergies and possible auto-immune disorders.
o The constant production of adrenaline and norepinephrine will cause the heart to beat faster and your arteries to constrict, which leads to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.
Continue >>
RSS
Great insights. Thanks. Key to remember is the concept of 'psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology' - with all four connected without boundaries, and all speaking the same biochemical/metabolic language. PS: Excellent book on Cortisol: 'Safe Uses of Cortisol' by William McJeffries, MD.