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An A-Z Woman's Guide to Vibrant Health
Adrenal Exhaustion
The adrenal glands get very little attention in Western medicine, yet they
have the important job of secreting sex hormones and stress hormones that
guide reactions to a stressor throughout the entire body. We have two adrenal
glands, which are comprised of two parts: the medulla and the cortex. The
medulla triggers the instinctual “flight or fight” response, including the
increase of blood sugar levels, the rate of breathing, cardiac output and blood
flow to the brain, lungs and muscles. The cortex produces hormones that
are essential in regulating excretory, immune defense, metabolic, mineral
balancing and reproductive functions. The cortex also secretes corticosteroids
in response to stress, and these hormones help us to cope with long-term
stressors by converting protein to energy. This energy remains available long
after the “flight or fight” response subsides. Adrenal exhaustion occurs when
the glands wear out from the continual production of the stress hormone
cortisol and can lead to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and eventually Addison’s
disease. Most importantly, adrenal exhaustion promotes hormone imbalance.
The adrenal glands and the thyroid are linked. If the adrenals become
stressed, the thyroid gland can produce less thyroid hormone and vice versa.
Most people today, particularly women, have some degree of compromised
adrenal gland function due to stressful lives.
Symptoms
Extreme hot flashes and night sweats, insomnia (you go to bed but three
hours later you are wide awake), environmental sensitivities, hypoglycemia,
poor concentration, low energy, dizziness upon rising, irritability, nervousness
or anxiety, shortness of breath, knee problems, muscle twitching, heart palpitations,
sensitivity to light, digestive problems or cravings for salt, sugar, junk
food or coffee.
To test your adrenal gland function, rest for five minutes and then take your
blood pressure. Stand up and immediately take another blood pressure reading.
If the reading is lower when you are standing than when you are resting, you
can suspect decreased adrenal gland function.
Causes
Sustained periods of high stress lead to chronic elevation of the stress hormone
cortisol, which research now links to bone loss, compromised immune function,
chronic fatigue, exhaustion, fat accumulation, infertility and memory loss.
During menopause, the workload of the adrenals also increases as these
glands are a primary source of sex hormones, including estrogen.
For women, particularly those who come home from a full-time job to care
for their families, cortisol remains elevated in the evening when it naturally
should subside to allow the onset of sleep.
PRESCRIPTION FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH
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Multivitamins with minerals; (contains no iron)
FemmEssentials or MultiEssentials for women
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| As directed. See Appendix A for the complete listing of recommended nutrients and their actions. |
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| Provides all the nutrients a woman needs every day to support all functions |
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1 to 3 capsules per day containing:
Rhodiola 100 mg
(Rhodiola rosea) |
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Helps reduce the effects of stress, is anti-aging and regulates the heart by increasing oxygen utilization |
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Suma 100 mg
(Pfaffia Paniculata) |
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A regenerative tonic used for nervous, reproductive, hormonal and digestive disorders |
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Ashwagandha 80 mg
(Withana somnifera) |
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Improves energy, supports the immune system, is anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, improves sexual per formance. It is also used to aid conversion of T4 to T3
thyroid hormone |
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Siberian Ginseng 100 mg
(Eleutherococcus senticosus)
(Siberian ginseng is not a true ginseng) |
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Normalizes reactions to physical and mental stress, enhances energy, protects against environmental pollutants, regulates blood sugar, protects the liver and adrenals |
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Schizandra berries 80 mg
(Schizandra chinensis) |
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For insomnia, nervousness supports the liver, improves physical endurance |
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Evening Primrose or Borage oil |
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3000 mg of Evening Primose or 2000 mg of Borage oil per day |
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1000 mg pharmaceutical grade fish oil |
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Helps protect the cardio-vascular and nervous system |
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HEALTH TIPS TO FIGHT STRESS
- Take AdrenaSense containing rhodiola, suma, ashwagandha, ginseng and schizandra one to three capsules per day.
- Breathing is a powerful de-stressing tool. Several times per day, breathe in through your nose and fill your lungs with air until your abdomen rises. Then slowly exhale from your mouth until your lungs are empty. Repeat this five times
- Get eight hours of sleep every night and try to sleep until 7:30 in the morning
- Just say “no” when you have too much to accomplish in one day
- Share the household workload with family
- Eat seven to 10 half-cup servings of fruits and vegetables every day
- Smile. Purge negative emotions such as anger and hatred
- Get help in dealing with grief. The loss of a loved one, a divorce, or the loss of a job all produce grief. Immune suppression is the result when grief is not dealt with
- Carpe diem–seize the day–and live it to the fullest. Don’t worry so much about tomorrow
- Believe in yourself. Negative self-talk and continually doubting your abilities hamper your body’s ability to heal
- See the beauty around you. Smell the flowers, watch the sunset and listen to the wind
- Love your family and friends, and be forgiving
- Be good to yourself. Most of us are our own worst enemies. We focus on our weaknesses and minimize our strengths. Wake up each day and tell yourself you are a good and useful person
- Do the things you have always wanted to do. Learn to water ski, sing inachoir, write a book, tell stories to your grandchildren, walk, garden–what-ever makes you happy
- Seek your spiritual side. This does not have to be religious, although those with strong religious beliefs generally live at peace and feel protected. Most of us believe in something greater than ourselves, a spiritual power that offers solace and helps us find the quiet place within
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