Stress: The Great Accelerator of Aging
Sacramento, Calif.- The adrenal glands may be the Rodney Dangerfield of the body – "they get no respect" – until one suffers from debilitating fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, depression, and many other serious symptoms and conditions associated with adrenal exhaustion.
The adrenals, walnut-sized glands located on top of each kidney, are known as "the stress glands." When a person senses danger, the adrenals rush all their resources into meeting the perceived threat. Surgeons are well aware that the body cannot survive the stress of surgery without a massive output of cortisol from the adrenal glands. The adrenals are critically important for producing many of the body's key stress hormones: cortisol, DHEA, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine.
"Every stress leaves an indelible scar, and the organism pays for its survival after a stressful situation by becoming a little older."
Hans Selye
In contemporary culture, unlike our ancestors, most Americans live under constant stress and pressure – yet the body was never designed to handle such a sustained load.
Every challenge to the mind and body places a cumulative demand on the adrenal glands: lack of sleep, perfectionism, financial pressures, emotional stress, smoking, reliance on stimulants like caffeine, and countless others. The result is that the adrenals are constantly on high alert.
Sustained high cortisol levels can increase waist size, destroy healthy muscle and bone, slow down healing and normal cell proliferation, redirect biochemicals needed to make other essential hormones, impair digestion and mental function, and weaken the immune system.
Adrenal fatigue may also play a role in fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, premature menopause, and conditions ranging from acne to hair loss.
When the adrenals are chronically overworked, they lose the capacity to produce sufficient DHEA for optimal health. DHEA is a precursor hormone to estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Insufficient DHEA contributes to premature aging, fatigue, bone loss, loss of muscle mass, increasing abdominal fat, depression, aching joints, decreased sex drive, and impaired immune function.
Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood sugar
- Light-headedness when standing up quickly
- Persistent fatigue not relieved by sleep
- Increased effort required to perform everyday tasks
- Sugar cravings
- "Burned-out" feeling
- Longer recovery time from illness
- Less enjoyment in life
- Increased PMS
- Allergies
- Body wakes up around 10 a.m., experiences an afternoon low between 3-4 p.m., and feels better after the evening meal (around 6 p.m.)
- Decreased productivity
A growing number of natural healthcare practitioners now use saliva as the preferred medium for testing cortisol and DHEA hormone levels instead of serum. If you experience any of the above symptoms or signs, it is advisable to check your cortisol and DHEA levels.
Explore additional topics from Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center with Dr. Godby, ND, MA and his team at Natural Wellness.
As a naturopathic doctor for the last 20 years, I have witnessed the power of a preventative lifestyle and naturopathic medicine to transform the health and lives of thousands of patients.
Sacramento Naturopathic
2530 J Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95816
Phone: (916) 446-2591
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