"Harmful stress forms when a person must do something their heart is not wanting to do, period."
-Dale Stepps, Cell Intelligence C.I.A, Engineer and Nutrition Expert.
Whether looked at from the standpoint of Eastern or Western cures-- the management of the adrenal gland is a mysterious blueprint distinct to every person. The adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney and play a very important role as they regulate the hormones responsible for the “fight or flight” stress response.
They are two parts, the outer glands are known as the adrenal cortex and the glands inside are called the adrenal medulla.
Under no circumstances do not want these removed!
IS Your Stress Temporary?
The adrenal glands are deeply involved in the body’s regulation of stress--unless they become damaged from chronic stress or maybe due to an injury from a wound stab or car accident - you can expect them to discharge critical hormones that perform the following functions:
The adrenal cortex secretes 3 hormones:
1. aldosterone: this hormone helps the body maintain its salt and water levels by increasing the amount of sodium the kidneys absorb into the bloodstream and potassium it releases into urine.
If your aldosterone levels are low, then the opposite effect will take place-- your kidneys will lose massive amounts of water (as well as sodium) leading to severe dehydration and low blood pressure (1)
MMA fighters use this technique to cut weight fast by down-regulating aldosterone.
2. cortisol: the hormone is a steroid hormone that can help control how your body
sugar by tapping into protein stores through a process known as gluconeogenesis
(it takes place in the liver).
If you are sick, your cortisol levels will also rise, as it attempts to regulate your metabolism. Stress triggers the secretion of this hormone which inhibits insulin release and floods the body with glucose for immediate energy, so that is readily available for a "fight or flight" action along with epinephrine (6).
If your cortisol levels are elevated because of repeated chronic stress from a job you
hate and not a temporary means for you to escape a wild lion, then you can expect to incur weight gain and an enlarged waistline from visceral fat storage (7).
Cortisol you should know indirectly stimulates appetite.
It may be correctly assumed that anyone with an extended waistline, may have endured months of uncontrolled stress in their lives (7).
3. The male sex hormones dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone: play a role in the development of the early male and female sex organs during puberty.
The adrenal gland is the producer of the most critical hormones, adrenalin and the steroid hormones, cortisol and aldosterone.
The adrenal medulla secretes the catecholamines neurotransmitters responsible for the 'flight or fight' response.
adrenalin (epinephrine)
norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
dopamine by exception is a neurohormone secreted by the brain.
High catecholamine levels in the bloodstream are associated with Stress (9).
More, More, More, Hormones...
Cushing's syndrome is the result of excessive corticosteroids in the body. Whether the adrenal glands are overactive, producing an excessive amount of specific hormones or whether someone is on long-term external steroids such as prednisone, an overactive adrenal gland can wreak havoc on one's weight and immune system.
When an adrenal gland "acts up" and produces an excessive amount of hormones, it is termed "overactive." When it is 'doing way too much' for your body, the following malfunctions can ensue.
Mysterious Features That Appear
Excess Androgenic steroids ( like Testosterone) can cause the following features to mysteriously appear:
male characteristics in both men and women
premature, male pattern baldness and hair loss
severe acne on the face, top of the shoulders and back
deeper voice, exaggerated jawline
Overproduction of Corticosteroids
An overproduction of corticosteroids can lead to Cushing's syndrome the signs and symptoms (s/s) of which:
Upper body obesity
Round or moon face
Excess facial and body hair growth
Increased fat around neck or a fatty hump between the shoulders
Thinning arms and legs
Fragile and thin skin
Stretch marks on abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and breasts
Bone and muscle weakness
Severe fatigueHigh blood pressure
High blood sugar, irritability and anxiety in women
Irregular or stopped menstrual cycles in women
Reduced sex drive and fertility in men
Overproduction of Aldosterone
can lead to high blood pressure
s/s associated with low levels of potassium, such as weakness, muscle aches, spasms, and sometimes paralysis.
As you can see, the symptoms of overactive adrenal glands may resemble other medical conditions. See your doctor and anticipate specific blood tests that measure hormone levels, radiologic tests and tests on your urine.
Is the stress hormone, “Cortisol” bad for me?
As said by Hippocrates, “everything in excess is opposed to nature.” While cortisol in excess is not beneficial and can lead to belly fat retention, nature has a good reason for placing cortisol in your body. If you don't derange the process with bad eating habits that include eating late, poor sleep habits, disturbed circadian rhythms, emotional stress from work, then you will discover what a perfect balancing act it does to your metabolism.
All steroid hormones are synthesized from cholesterol. Cholesterol is either obtained from the diet or synthesized from acetate by a CoA reductase enzyme (2).
Cortisol temporarily increases your blood sugar when you need a “flight or fight" response. It helps control your blood sugar levels when you are exercising, regulate metabolism, reduce inflammation, and control blood pressure.
“It is secreted during exercise to enhance the use of proteins for fuel and to suppress inflammation that accompanies tissue injury”
-Thomas D. Fahey, Exercise Physiology Laboratory.
When Do You Make Too Much Cortisol?
When you subject yourself to too much stress, you will produce excess cortisol! When cortisol levels are elevated long term, it constantly produces glucose, thus, increases blood sugar in the blood ( far more than what you need). As long as you feel stressed, your cortisol levels will remain high.
Are you happy where you work? Do you work the graveyard shift? Do you recover from stressful situations before starting your next project?
I would start to place "your happiness" in a higher position than plodding at a job you hate.
The latter will rob you of freedom, happiness, security and health and nature has a way of stopping us dead (pun in intended) in our tracks, if we ignore her warnings long enough.
When you bring love, stillness and space back to your life, you will find yourself privy to the mysterious workings of the adrenal gland- with happy, abundant and healthy organs that work efficiently with no external effort at all.
How you choose to live will determine how you die. So, make choices to support your adrenal glands by investing in your joy often.
QUIZ: Do You Show Signs Of Adrenal Exhaution (Yes/No)
Do you have major dark circles around your eyes?
(Think my adrenals could be affected)
Do you have crazy sugar cravings?
(Think my adrenals could be affected)
Do you feel over super stressed?
(Think my adrenals could be affected)
Do you feel over super stressed?
(Think my adrenals could be affected)
Do you get good nights sleep but still want to sleep late into the morning?
(Think my adrenals could be affected)
Do you have uncontrollable outbursts toward people and haven’t been called a “psycho” yet? (Think my adrenals could be affected)
If the doctor told you your thyroid gland or pituitary gland have hormone problems…
(Think my adrenals could be affected too!)
How Are Adrenal Extracts Made into Drugs?
Adrenal Extracts are made from the glands of cows and pigs gathered from the slaughter house. The active ingredient in the extract is the hormone hydrocortisone (14). Today, adrenal extracts are no longer accessible as an injections and are available only in pill form. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made the import of adrenal extract illegal. It also recalled injectable extracts that were found to cause infections in people from the use of contaminated products. The FDA currently does not monitor the pill form.
BODYBUILDERS: Do Steroids Effect Cortisol?
Growth influencing anabolic steroids like testosterone increase muscle protein synthesis and protein breakdown. On the other hand, the stress hormone, cortisol is catabolic- it gets rid of old protein and helps in muscle growth due to tissue remodeling.
So, healthy amounts of catabolic cortisol will increase the rate of protein breakdown in the muscles. Anabolic or “artificial” steroids block cortisol and thus, prevent the tissues from breaking down after an intense workout. The added benefit of this synthesis is it speeds up recovery time!
Anabolic steroids can decrease testosterone production.
Something to consider for the ladies!
What is the Difference between the Anabolic Steroids Body builders use and Hospital Corticosteroids?
The word “steroid” has crept into our language to refer specifically to anabolic steroids, however, there are many different types of steroids found in nature. Some in our body and others produced synthetically.
The term “steroid” broadly describes any compound with a specific molecular structure comprised of four fused rings of 17 carbon atoms.
Corticosteroids
These are a class of drugs like glucocorticoids (such as cortisol or prednisone) used in the hospital to treat inflammatory conditions and regulate a haphazard immune function. Corticosteroids work by decreasing inflammation and suppressing the immune system, according to Cleveland Clinic (10).
The drugs mirror the steroids produced by the adrenal cortex and reduce inflammation by blocking the production of substances that trigger allergic and inflammatory responses.
Treatment extends to health conditions such as allergies, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune disorders like arthritis or lupus, lymphoma, leukemia and prostate cancer. Corticosteroids are powerful drugs that can reduce inflammation at lightening speed , however, they also bring serious long term side effects and should be used for a short period of time or extreme caution. Please have a discussion on the long term side effects with your Doctor.
Anabolic steroids
These are highly favored by athletes for their anabolic effects. They promote growth of skeletal muscle and the development of male sexual characteristics. They are synthetic variations of the sex hormones (androgens) occurring naturally in men. Anabolic steroids copy naturally occuring testosterone to produce performance enhancements which certain athletes and bodybuilders depend on to build muscle mass and strength.
While the short term advantages of steroid use may leave bodybuilders feeling 'Superhuman,' the long-term abuse of steroids has led to some harsh health conditions including shrinkage of testicles, Mood swings as in “roid rage”, high blood pressure, severe acne, osteoporosis, fractures, infertility, liver tumors and male pattern baldness in both sexes.
How to Prevent Adrenal Fatigue :
Limit High Stress Levels!!!
Take a walk in Nature
Sleep Early
Be Still, Experience God.
BE SILENT.
Identify what makes you feel stressed (it could be a perspective.)
REMOVE It, Him OR HER.
WALK AWAY FROM A LIFE OF DRAMA.
Share this Post and Save a Life.
Sources:
1. https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/adrenal-glands/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26/
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/why-you-should-avoid-adrenal-extract#adrenal-glands
5. https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/adrenaline/
6. https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/adrenal-glands/
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catecholamine
8. https://www.livescience.com/64488-corticosteroids.html
9. https://www.healthline.com/health/adrenal-fatigue-treatment#vs.-adrenalin-sufficiency
10. Illustration: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/adrenal-
glands
11. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/overactive-adrenal-glands--cushings-syndrom
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