Stress, Sugar and Exhaustion

“I’m tired of being tired”. In today’s fast paced society this is a very common complaint. I hear from patients often that they have a severe lack of energy, a sense of feeling weak and exhausted most of the time.

Adrenal exhaustion is an epidemic in this country and is creating a spin cycle that is out of control with no end in sight. No other gland is affected more by stress, emotional strain, or anger than the adrenal gland. These small glands resting on top of the kidneys are responsible for a complex control of very important functions, including the production of steroid hormones like cortisone, progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone to name only a few. This intricate system is critical in maintaining hormonal balance and regulating sugar metabolism.

When you’re under stress or pressure, the adrenal medulla secretes adrenalin and norepinephrine to accelerate heart rate, respiration and perspiration. It’s a fight or flight response vital to our survival, protecting our body and temporarily increasing its resistance to stress. The long term effects lead to more unhealthy cravings and suppression of our immune system. If the adrenals release too few or too many hormones, exhaustion or overstimulation can result. Relentless stress, too much caffeine or sugar and many medications all exhaust the adrenal glands. This sets up a cycle which leads to more sugar cravings, stronger sources of caffeine and many times anti-depressants are prescribed just to function.

STOP !

There are ways to get off this continual treadmill with the following steps to wellness:

1. Vitalized Eating -a good diet balancing all 6 vital tastes is essential to adrenal health. Eating nutrient rich foods lowers the cravings and helps rebuild the adrenal gland.

2. Nutrients Replenished-Potassium is the principle mineral lost when adrenal health is compromised. Eating more potassium rich foods like sea vegetables, bananas, kiwis, red potatoes with skins, and cold water fish are a good start. B and C vitamins in high dosages help rebuild an overburdened adrenal gland. Zinc foods such as brown rice, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, bran, eggs and oysters are a must. Magnesium is also a mineral needed and often lacking in the American diet. Foods high in magnesium are dark green leafy vegetables, almonds, avocado, raw carrots, lentils, citrus fruits and salmon. To get an immediate response to sugar cravings I recommend supplementing one of the following - licorice root extract, chromium piconlate, and siberian ginseng .

3. Vitalized movement- getting 30 minutes of continuous exercise 5 x a week is the generator to create stored energy in our muscles and liver. Physical inactivity leads us to looking to an outside source to stimulate the body. Sugar and caffeine cravings are a sign that the adrenal gland is under stress.

4. Vitalized nerve system- Getting adjusted resets the balance of our nerve system which regulates the adrenal gland. A slumped posture from sitting behind a desk all day puts excess stress on the spinal nerves affecting adrenal function. Making sure your desk is ergonomically correct for your body type and getting up to move every 45 minutes is critical to a healthy nerve system. Our energy exercises are effective at keeping the nervous system healthy.

Wellness action steps and a wellness mindset start to turn around these unhealthy habits that so many Americans are stuck in. Choose to make a change today for a healthier tomorrow.

For more information on how to reduce your sugar consumption and increase your energy join us for the "Sugar Free Families" workshop Tuesday October 9, 2012 @ 6:00 p.m. Seats are filling up fast, call today (916)973-1661!