Adrenals

This is an incredibly informative and reader-friendly book about a common debilitating medical condition that goes largely undiagnosed and untreated. ADRENAL FATIGUE: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome is a very empowering work cram-packed with vital information about a condition that very likely affects millions of people.

Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome

Everyday, we work hard in order for us to keep our jobs and also in order for us to advance in our career. We work hard in order to provide for our family and we also work hard for that sought after success in our careers or that promotion or that big fat raise.

Although these things are all positive, there is one trade off for the kind of success we want. And, this trade off is our health. Today, a lot of people are now suffering from a condition called adrenal fatigue. So, just what is adrenal fatigue? How can this condition affect you in a very negative way?

For starters, you need to remember that this particular condition affects our adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are an essential part of the human body because it produces and releases certain hormones, such as adrenalin, endorphin, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol. The adrenal glands also regulate the amount of hormones in our body.

You have to keep in mind that the hormones in our body affect the way we think and feel. These hormones are basically released when stress is felt by the body. This is how the body deals with stress. By releasing hormones, we will be able to deal with stress effectively. For example, if your house is on fire, your body will release adrenaline, cortisol and other hormones that will give you extra boost of energy, which will make you run faster, get stronger, and let you make critical decisions.

There are even stories where people were able to lift an entire fridge from their burning homes all by themselves.

When we suffer from adrenal fatigue, the production of hormones is affected. At first, our adrenal glands work overtime and produce plenty of hormones to deal with the stress. However, too much stress can lead to the exhaustion of our adrenal glands, which will lower its production of hormones.

This can affect you in a very negative way as you will feel more exhausted than you usually do. In fact, in chronic adrenal fatigue sufferers, sleep can?t even replenish their energy.

If you feel tired when you wake up in the morning, then this is a sign that you are suffering from adrenal fatigue.

Aside from that, you will also become irritable, moody, and this condition can even lead to depression.

The best way to treat or prevent adrenal fatigue is by giving your body enough rest. Sleep on time and get enough sleep every night. This will get your body to fully rest and give you the energy you need the next day.

Proper nutrition is also important. Never ever skip breakfast as this meal will jumpstart your metabolism, which is important in producing energy for our body.

If you have time, you can also try getting a relaxing massage or you can try going on an aromatherapy session. This will truly help you relax your body and get your adrenal glands working normally again.

Remember these tips and you will be able to prevent or at least treat adrenal fatigue. These are just some of the effective ways on how you can treat adrenal fatigue.

Originally published here.

We?ve all seen those commercials on TV that warn of ?stubborn belly fat? brought on by too much stress. The pills being hawked on these programs promise to block the stress hormone, cortisol.

Ever wonder if there?s any truth to what they?re saying?

The Truth
             Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland in your adrenal cortex. It?s your body?s modern-day answer to the ?fight or flight? responses we had to stress (back when we were true hunters and gatherers).

Cortisol:

-          Increases blood pressure and blood sugar

-          Breaks down lipids and proteins (in case you?d rather ?fight? than ?flight?)

-          Acts as a water diuretic hormone (leading to dehydration)

-          Physically eats away at the pleasure centers of the brain (producers of norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine)

So cortisol DOES exist and is indeed harmful to the body if left unchecked.

Before You Buy a Pill
             Don?t place your order with the number on the bottom of your screen just yet?there?s a catch (isn?t there always?)

Most of these pills rely on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a natural steroid hormone with calming affects on the central nervous system.

Possible Side Effects of DHEA:
              According to the Mayo Clinic?s website (mayoclinic.com), possible side effects include, but are not limited to:

-          Nausea

-          Abdominal discomfort

-          Fatigue

-          Nasal congestion

-          Headache

-          Acne

-          Rapid/Irregular heartbeats.

But Wait, There?s More!
               Straight from Mayoclinic.com: ?In women, the most common side effects are abnormal menses, emotional changes, headache, and insomnia. Individuals with a history of abnormal heart rhythms, blood clots or hypercoagulability, and those with a history of liver disease should avoid DHEA supplements.

Because DHEA is a hormone related to other male and female hormones, there may be side effects related to its hormonal activities. For example, masculinization may occur in women, including acne, greasy skin, facial hair, hair loss, increased sweating, weight gain around the waist, or a deeper voice. Likewise, men may develop more prominent breasts (gynecomastia), breast tenderness, increased blood pressure, testicular wasting, or increased aggressiveness. Other hormonal-related side effects may include increased blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, altered cholesterol levels, altered thyroid hormone levels, and altered adrenal function. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hyperglycemia, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, or other endocrine (hormonal) abnormalities. Serum glucose, cholesterol and thyroid levels may need to be monitored by a healthcare professional, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

In theory, DHEA may increase the risk of developing prostate, breast, or ovarian cancer. DHEA may contribute to tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. Other side effects may include insomnia, agitation, delusions, mania, nervousness, irritability, or psychosis.

High DHEA levels have been correlated with Cushing’s syndrome, which may be caused by excessive supplementation.? (Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dhea/NS_patient-dhea, Copyright 2008)

In easy to understand terms?that?s turning women into men and vice versa! And since when is CANCER a good trade-off for losing weight?

What Does It All Mean?
            Numero Uno ? There?s no ?magic pill? that will get rid of the stress and block cortisol (without killing you in the process).

So what can you do to relieve stress, build antibodies, and get rid of fat all at the same time WITHOUT taking hours out of your day to drive to the gym, workout, shower, and get on with your life?

My solution: Yoga.

There?s nothing like a good, fifteen minute total-body workout that focuses on muscle toning and deep breathing to relinquish stress and help you lose weight!  And let?s face it, you?ve never seen a woman look like a muscle-y linebacker when she?s finished with her yoga session, have you? Who wants to risk even more with hidden dietary nightmares in a pill?

Imagine stress-free bill paying, calmly telling the kids to sit down for the twentieth time, and picking up your husband?s dirty socks from the middle of the floor (yet again) with tranquility.

Your own living room suddenly becomes your spa!

Use yoga to remove the stress from all of your daily activities, and you can face each day with more energy, more time, and more LIFE!

Rachel D. Young is a certified Fitness Trainer and Editor-in-chief of Beautiful Curves, a monthly newsletter full of recipes, exercise, and motivational materials centered around how women can easily become healthy and beautiful, naturally and quickly. Learn more about her at www.RachelDYoung.com

Originally published here.