Here’s a situation I see over and over-busy girls who complain that, despite the fact that they exercise and try to eat right, still can’t seem to get rid of weight. They’re frustrated and up the attempt without avail. What’s happening? New research now supports what nutritionists and naturopaths have understood for years-up to 80 percent of adult suffer from some amount of adrenal fatigue and this is impacting our physical and psychological health, causing everything from weight gain to a diminished immune system and sleeplessness. What exactly are the adrenals, how do they figure to our weight and health issues, and what can we do to cure them now?
Adrenals?
The adrenals are star shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of the uterus and modulate many hormones-the two main being cortisol (the stress hormone) and adrenaline (the fight or flight hormone). These hormones evolved to take care of short-term stress. If our ancestors had to run from a predator, as an instance, the adrenals would boost adreneline, to sharpen the senses and make us super concentrated on survival, and cortisol, to raise the speed protein is converted into energy and release sugar so that our bodies could react quickly and strongly to threat. Overall, the adrenals increase heart rate, decrease metabolism, and tense our muscles so that we’re lean, mean fighting (or fleeing) machines. When the danger moves our bodies return to normal fairly quickly. The issue, however, is that our bodies, and our adrenals, aren’t adapted to the chronic, unrelenting stress of our modern world. Constant stress is put on our adrenals each and every day-everything from chaotic traffic and schedules, lack of sleep (the adrenals restore themselves from eleven at night until nine in the morning), to the psychological stress brought on by financial, job, and relationships responsibilities.
The stress factor
When we are so overly stressed, our adrenals are pumping out too much adrenaline and cortisol. Studies have shown that increased cortisol in the body results in weight gain, particularly around the stomach area. When the adrenals become exhausted it may result in low thyroid also, which also causes weight gain. Additionally, adrenal exhaustion contributes to poor immune function, poor hormone regulation, insomnia, and chronic fatigue.
How can you test for adrenal fatigue?
Here are some common symptoms:
- Pattern of being groggy and not entirely waking up for many hours. A dip in energy level between 2-5 in the afternoon and around 9-10 in the day.
- Craving high levels of fat and salt.
- A high frequency of cold and influenza
- Weight gain around the middle and/or inability to lose weight
- Lightheaded feeling when standing from a lying or sitting position
- Increased symptoms of PMS in women
- Trembling when upset
Although it might take a while to bring your adrenals back to health, it’s totally possible using a balanced and natural approach.
Caring for You-a five pronged approach
Sleep
Since the adrenals restore themselves between eleven at night and nine in the morning, it’s very important to sleep in this time and for as long as possible. If you can’t, try to spend your awake time doing things which are gentle on the body and emotions-listen to calm music, stretch gently, avoid disagreements.
Breathe
Often, correct breathing can help short-circuit the stress reaction. Becoming aware of the way you breathe is your first step. When you’re stressed out is the breath quick and short (this is a panic reaction which raises adrenaline and heart rate) or do you hold your breathe (a panic response which raises cortisol)? Work on making yourself take deep breaths, filling the whole stomach cavity and especially the lower back, that is the base of the lungs and, in Chinese Medicine, stocks a meridian with the adrenal glands.
Eat Well
Craving salt, fat, and sugar is a hallmark of adrenal fatigue. We crave salt since the electrolyte balance-another function of the adrenals-is frequently out of whack. Eating foods rich in potassium, reducing sugar and salt intake, and increasing your intake of water are 3 methods to help restore the kidneys.
Herbs
Several supplements are great in assisting the adrenals recuperate:
- Siberian Ginseng: An ‘adaptogen’ that helps the body adapt to stress, it also provides us energy and energy
- Ashwagandha: Is a terrific nerve tonic that also helps to reconstruct the digestive system.
- Rhodiola Rhosea: Improves memory and concentration and reduces stress-induced fatigue.
- Cordyceps: This mushroom is, far and away, the best herb for reducing adrenal stress. Additionally, it raises immune, kidney, and liver function in addition to increases the utilization of oxygen in the body.
Gentle Exercise
Exercise is an excellent stress reliever but also vigorous exercise may further strain exhausted adrenals, which then may result in exercise induced asthma (again, because the lungs and adrenals are on exactly the same meridian in Chinese Medicine). Gentle swimming, walking, light jogging, hiking, and biking are all fantastic ways to cleanse the body and reduce stress while restoring your adrenals to wellness. Certain yoga poses, such as easy cross leg pose, bound bridge pose, and corpse pose are also healing for the adrenals. In kundalini yoga, the adrenals can also be tied to the self and anger and exercises to decrease anger are also miraculous for adrenals.
Conclusion
While it make take a little time and dedication to find the adrenals soothed and at best shape, it’s well worth it. You’ll have the ability to lose weight better, cope with stress better, get sick less often, and feel more pleasure, energy and energy over the long term.
