Hypoadrenia and Cortisol

      This article is for information purposes only. It is not the intent of this article to diagnose, instruct individuals in self diagnosis, or instruct individuals in the treatment of disease. Some Individuals could have a serious medical condition like Addison's or Cushings disease. A physician should be consulted to diagnose or rule out serious medical conditions.

      Our adrenal glands are actually two glands in close proximity. The adrenal medula is actually an extension of the nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system. When stimulated, they secrete adrenaline, a neurotransmitter which causes specific physiological responses that enable the body to call forth the extreme strength, speed, and reaction time that is necessary for survival when confronted by a saber-toothed tiger. The second part, the adrenal cortex, is stimulated by pituitary hormones to release adrenal cortical hormones, such as cortisol. The adrenal cortical hormones suppress inflammatory processes, healing processes, and the immune system. They also convert glycogen stores into glucose and elevate blood sugar levels. Collectively, these responses put the body on RED ALERT and divert all available energy and raw materials to immediate survival tasks.

      When our ancestors were stalking dangerous food or trying desperately to avoid becoming food, they would experience a classical stress response through a series of events that had a defined beginning and end. Today, our bodies engage in that same stress response, except that there is no clear end to it. Repeated and prolonged stress exhausts the adrenal glands and other glands and organ systems. Hypoadrenia is one of the results. Hypothyroidism, reactive hypoglycemia, and depressed immunity are often associated with this condition as well. For more information on the Stress Response, read the article on Stress.

Stress Hormones....

      There are two hormones of particular interest here, Cortisol and DHEA. Cortisol is a powerful steroid released to "activate" your body in times of stress. You need cortisol to "pump you up" to meet all the daily challenges of life. Without it you'd have no motivation to even get out of bed in the morning! But if your body produces too much cortisol over a long period of time, it can disrupt your blood sugar metabolism, trigger emotional problems, and make you feel constantly tired and weak. Eventually, chronic elevated cortisol levels can lead to weight gain, muscle and joint pain, insomnia, impaired immune function, and premature aging.

      DHEA is the most abundant hormone in your bloodstream. DHEA seems to balance the effects of cortisol by improving the body's ability to cope with stress. It also provides the source material for the production of many other hormones, including sex hormones. Clinical studies suggest that DHEA can boost energy levels, strengthen immune function, improve memory, and reduce body fat. Some researchers believe that DHEA acts as a "mood elevator," preventing depression and senile dementia by protecting important neurons in the brain. DHEA levels should be closely monitored when supplementing, however, to prevent potentially harmful imbalances. Also, DHEA supplementation is generally inappropriate for individuals under age 40.

The Consequences of Chronic High Cortisol

      To repeat, chronically elevated cortisol levels contribute to the accumulation of abdominal fat and make it very difficult to get rid of it. The immune system is suppressed and the individual becomes more susceptible to infections, both minor and major. Clearly, we would like for our cortisol levels to return to normal.

How to Correct your Cortisol Level and Hypoadrenia

      Stress reduction is an essential part of all efforts to normalize cortisol. Stress is the stimuli that caused the cortisol levels to get out of hand to begin with. Each individual should explore and find the stress reduction techniques that work best for themselves. Meditation, physical activities, attitude changes etc. are good paths to explore. Without stress reduction, all therapeutic and support measures will eventually fail.

      Rest. This may sound obvious but it must be managed and scheduled as a deliberate strategy, choice, and course of action. Otherwise it gets forgotten in the busyness of life.

      A low glycemic diet is important. Sugar handling stress increases cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol, in turn, aggravates the sugar handling situation contributing to the development of high insulin levels and ultimately diabetes.

      Nutritional supplementation is very valuable in restoring normal cortisol levels. It is important, however, to recognize if your cortisol levels are high or low. Low cortisol levels are the consequence of adrenal exhaustion or the exhaustion phase of the stress response. High cortisol levels are the result of the response to chronic stress and represent the adaptation phase of the stress response.

Determining your Cortisol and DHEA Levels

      Both Cortisol and DHEA can be determined by a simple saliva test. You can either have your doctor order the test for you or you can order a test kit on line.

Stress Test Kit - TestCountry.com

Nutritional Supplements to Support Low or High Cortisol Levels

      For basic adrenal support, include:

• A good Complete Multiple Vitamin Mineral Supplement.
  
• Mag-C, one capsule three times per day. This is a source of buffered vitamin C and a source of absorbable magnesium.
  
• Advanced Essential Minerals, two capsules three times per day. Mineral absorption and assimilation can be impaired by stressed adrenal glands. Minerals are essential for energy metabolism.
  
• B5, one capsule per day
  
• B6, one capsule per day

      One of the best known and most effective ways to lower excess cortisol levels is with the nutrient Phosphatidylserine (PS). Phosphatidylserine is believed to facilitate the repair of the cortisol receptors in the hypothalamus. It is believed that the cortisol receptors get damaged by high cortisol levels reducing the ability of the hypothalamus to sense and correct high cortisone levels. Because Phosphatidylserine helps repair the feedback control apparatus, it is useful in correcting both high and low cortisol levels. Phosphatidylserine is also useful for preventing short-term memory loss, age-related dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Typical dosages are one to three 100 mg. capsules per day.

      Adaptogens are an entire category of herbs that assists the body in coping with stress by restoring hypothalamic cortisol receptor sensitivity. AdaptaPhase I from Vitamin Research Products is one such blend of adaptogenic herbs that is based on Russian research. It is a combination of Siberian ginseng, Manchurian Thorn Tree extract, Hawthorn extract, Echinopanax elatum and Schisandra. Typical dosages are from 1 ml. to 4 ml. per day. AdaptaPhase II is an anti-catabolic blend of herbs that can be used to enhance the effects of AdaptaPhase.

      AdaptaPhase II is synergistic blend of ingredients designed to help the body overcome the exhaustion that is experienced by people under such extreme stress. The formula includes soy protein isolate, Rhaponticum carthinoides, Tribulus Terrestris, and Adjuga turkistanica. These ingredients exert profound energizing, anabolic, muscle-building effects. This product is best used in cycles, with each cycle lasting 10 days with a break of two to three weeks between each 10 day cycle. Dosages range from 4-10 capsules per day depending upon the individual's weight and the amount of physical or psychological stress that individual is undergoing.

      CortiTrophin is a combination of adrenal concentrate and glycyrrhizinate. Glycyrrhizinate is a natural cortisol-mimicking extract from licorice. Taking a small amount of CortiTrophin 25-100 mgs/day can be beneficial in treating symptoms of adrenal exhaustion and can provide significant relief from the symptoms of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. To best mimic the body's own physiology, CortiTrophin should be taken on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. If a second dose is required, it should be taken before lunch. Since CortiTrophin mimics the action of cortisol, one should be very judicious in using it. It should only be used intermittently and if any adverse effects occur, such as water retention or elevated blood pressure, discontinue use immediately. Individuals with high blood pressure should be very cautious with this supplement and should consult their doctor. Saliva testing should be seriously considered when using cortisol simulating supplements.

      DHEA is a hormone which acts as a precursor for many other hormones. DHEA levels decline drastically with age. Many anti-aging physicians and programs advocate DHEA supplementation for individuals over 40 years of age. There is some medical controversy regarding this practice. If you are considering taking DHEA supplements, it would be a good idea to use the tests to both determine the need for it and get the dosage adjusted properly. DHEA can also be used empirically to alleviate the symptoms of excess cortisol or hyperadaptosis. DHEA can improve glucose tolerance, convert excess body fat to lean muscle mass, alleviate depression, increase energy and decrease pain in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia patients, decrease joint pain and fatigue in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, improve mental clarity, and enhance overall immune function. Typical doses for DHEA are 10 to 25 mg for women, 25 to 100 mg for men, taken in the morning to mimick the bodys natural rhythm. Note: Dosage should be adjusted based on test results. It is important for men to take a prostate PSA test before supplementation. DHEA supplementation could potentially complicate prostate cancer, so professional medical advice is necessary if the PSA level should be elevated.

      Adrenal exhaustion is more difficult to resolve. Adrenal exhaustion involves a depletion of energy reserves and a loss of resilience. Symptomatic signs of adrenal exhaustion can be as diverse as fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, severe PMS, depression, brain fog, carbohydrate cravings, allergies, muscular pain and tenderness, joint pain, and irritable bowel syndrome. The goal of nutritional therapy in this situation is to restore the natural, diurnal release of normal levels of cortisol. The theory is if you provide the body with a small amount of a cortisol-like substance, the adrenal glands can take a rest and have an opportunity to regenerate. Then normal cortisol production will be restored.

Where to Get Supplements for Hypoadrenal Support and Cortisol Normalization

      To order Hypoadrenal Support Supplements from Vitamin Research Products, CLICK HERE