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Syndrome X
0 reviewsSyndrome X was first recognized by university endocrinologist Dr. Gerald Reaven. It is characterized by a collection of metabolic abnormalities, in
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Syndrome X was first recognized by university endocrinologist Dr. Gerald Reaven. It is characterized by a collection of metabolic abnormalities, including impaired glucose tolerance, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, low DHEA, high cortisol, depression, and abdominal fat. Elevated insulin and insulin resistance are the underlying factors. Syndrome X is a prediabetic state, where blood glucose is high but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Research has found that PGX significantly improves all aspects of Syndrome X by increasing insulin sensitivity. PGX reduced total cholesterol by 12.4 percent, “bad” LDL cholesterol by 22.3 percent, the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol by 15 percent, and serum fructosamine by 5 percent. In another study, after-meal glucose was reduced by 27 percent, and after-meal insulin levels by 41 percent; insulin resistance improved by about 48 percent.
Causes of Syndrome X
Aging
Excessive alcohol consumption
High-carbohydrate diet
High sugar intake
Insulin resistance
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Processed foods
Lack of exercise
Smoking
Healthy foods that slow a blood sugar rise include:
Lemons, apple cider vinegar, wine vinegars, and balsamic vinegars (but not regular white vinegar). Use liberally: these foods slow the release of glucose and reduce the GI of foods you combine them with
Raw or slightly steamed vegetables (preferably green)
Whole grains in their original state
Free-range meat, free-range eggs, seafood, soy, protein powders, and free-range poultry
Bad foods that make blood sugar skyrocket include:
Sugar
White flour, white spaghetti, white rice
Soft drinks
Processed goods
Yogurt sweetened with sugar and fruit
Fruit, Fruit juices, jams, and jellies
Jell-O and Kool-Aid
Alcohol
Eliminate as many of the bad foods as you can.
INSULIN AND STRESS
Another deadly aspect of high insulin is that it increases the secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone. A rise in cortisol causes a drop in the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which helps increase muscle mass. More muscle increases fat burning and reduces insulin. As you can see, high insulin promotes a cascade of very negative effects.
ADRENAL HEALTH
Now I will look at adrenal health with regard to excessive stress and resulting cortisol.
Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands are among the most important organs in the body. These small glands secretes sex hormones and stress-response hormones that guide the entire body's reaction to stress. They are the organs responsible for the front-line work of adapting to stress. Accumulated effects of internal and external stressors profoundly affect your adrenal glands and, in turn, your hormonal health.
You have two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. In response to triggers from the brain, the adrenals secrete hormones that permit your body to respond to stress by increasing your blood sugar levels; your rate of breathing; your cardiac output; blood flow to the muscles, lungs, and brain; and cellular metabolism-the famous “fight-or-flight” response. The adrenals are also responsible for producing cortisol hormones, aldosterone, estrogen, testosterone, and many other hormones. These hormones help regulate metabolic, excretory, reproductive, mineral balancing, and immune defense functions.
The secretion of these stress-response hormones is one of the most important functions of the adrenals. These hormones help us adapt over the longer term to the stresses of life; they stimulate the conversion of protein to energy so energy levels remain high even after glucose is used up in the fight-or-flight reaction. Other hormones help maintain elevated blood pressure and help deal with emotional shocks, infection, high workload, weather changes, environmental chemicals, physical or emotional trauma, and so on.
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
When your adrenal glands are under stress and on the verge of exhaustion they provide you with some very clear symptoms. Check any of the following statements that apply to you.
You crave salty foods You have insomnia in which you fall asleep, but wake up several hours later and can't go back to sleep
You feel exhausted when you wake up in the morning
Your fatigue is not improved with sleep
You lack energy
You feel like you are pushing yourself through the day
You have no libido
Little stressors make you feel anxious and angry
You suffer from recurring infections
You have chronic respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies
You take longer than you should to recover from sickness
You have low blood pressure
You feel faint when you stand up quickly from a sitting position
You have low moods
You lack interest in things that used to make you feel happy
You need coffee or other stimulants to give you a boost of energy
You have extreme hot flashes, night sweats, or PMS
Your memory seems to be failing
You feel like you have cotton in your head
You are exhausted by walking up the stairs or doing simple tasks You feel like you are dragging yourself through the day, but wake up after dinner
Your face and neck look suntanned, but you haven't been in the sun
If you have more than six of these symptoms, do some of the simple tests at the end of the next section.
Cortisol, the Hallmark of Stress
The hormone cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands in response to physical, psychological, or environmental stress, and is gaining attention as the hallmark of stress. However, cortisol is more than a simple marker of stress levels; it is necessary for the action of almost every function of your body. Excess or deficiency of this crucial hormone can cause a variety of physical symptoms, which, if not treated, can lead to chronic disease or death. Cortisol regulates hormones, glucose metabolism, and the immune system; it also regulates your body's use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Your ability to adapt to stress depends upon optimal functioning of your adrenal glands and regulation of cortisol secretion.
If you experience chronic stress, your cortisol levels will remain elevated. Research now correlates chronically elevated cortisol levels with blood sugar problems, fat accumulation, the ability of fat cells to become resistant to fat loss, compromised immune function, infertility, exhaustion, chronic fatigue, bone loss, high triglyceride levels, and heart disease. Memory loss has also been associated with high cortisol levels. As you can see, continual stress can indeed have a negative effect on many areas of your health. The extreme end of excessive secretion of cortisol results in Cushing's syndrome.
Long-term elevations of cortisol can cause your adrenal glands to wear out, so they can no longer produce normal levels of cortisol. After this comes adrenal exhaustion, which contributes to conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome or, in extreme cases, Addison's disease (in which the adrenals do not produce enough cortisol).
The adrenals secrete both male and female sex hormones-androgens and estrogens-and are the prime producers of estrogen and progesterone during the transitional years when the ovaries take a well-deserved rest. The adrenals are also the sole source of estrogen for men. In today's world, most women (and people in general) have some degree of adrenal compromise. Women generally work full-time, raise children, and juggle other demands of daily life. Poor adrenal health directly affects a woman's ability to smoothly make the transition into menopause. Cortisol production has a natural rhythm. Your body produces more cortisol in the morning than in the evening, giving you the energy you need to begin your day. The cortisol levels should drop by 90 percent in the evening as you leave the stresses of the day behind and start to unwind and relax. A recent study found that women who work outside the home and have family responsibilities tend to have elevated evening cortisol levels. Men, on the other hand, have lower cortisol levels in the evenings. The difference may reflect the additional responsibilities women have after they get home from their day jobs (cooking dinner, laundry, and child rearing). The study may explain why more women have difficulty sleeping and losing weight, particularly during the perimenopausal and menopausal years when the ovaries shut down and the adrenals become a major source of estrogen. Elevated cortisol levels at night prevent sleep or cause very light sleep with frequent waking.
Those with adrenal exhaustion tend to overeat in an attempt to bolster their energy levels, which results in weight gain. They often consume plenty of caffeinated beverages and sugar-laden foods in an attempt to get some quick energy. Couple this with the fact that high cortisol levels make fat cells resistant to fat loss and promote deposition of abdominal fat, and those with adrenal fatigue may feel like they are losing an impossible battle when it comes to weight loss. However, there is a way to repair adrenal exhaustion.
Do you need adrenal support? Take these adrenal function tests. Most people are surprised to find that many of their symptoms are related to poor adrenal function.
Adrenal Function Tests
If you answered yes to six or more of the questions in the adrenal symptom chart, you may want to evaluate your adrenal gland function with the following tests, which are available at your naturopathic or holistic medical doctor's office.
/ACTH Suppression Test (also called the Cortisol Suppression Test)/: This is a lab test commonly used to measure cortisol blood levels. However, results rarely show extreme enough alterations in cortisol levels to indicate a health problem.
Most adrenal conditions are due to suboptimal function of the adrenal glands, and it is difficult to diagnose mild to moderate adrenal compromise by using only a cortisol suppression test; the results will probably fall within the normal range.
/Adrenal Stress Index (ASI)/: An excellent method for assessing adrenal maladapation to stress, the ASI is an accurate and convenient method for assessing adrenal function by testing cortisol levels in the saliva. Saliva cortisol results have been used in stress research for more than ten years. The body's levels of cortisol vary throughout a twenty-four-hour period. With a home kit you can collect samples of saliva during the day, making it possible to measure the daily rhythm of cortisol production.
/Glucose Tolerance Test/: There is often a relationship between low blood sugar and low adrenal function. A five- to six-hour glucose-tolerance test can rule out blood sugar irregularities. Any physician can order this test.
/Reclining/Standing Blood Pressure/: This is an easy assessment of adrenal function. Your blood pressure is measured while you are reclining, then taken twice more when you are brought to a standing position. In a normal response, the blood pressure will be approximately 10 mg/hg higher in the standing position than in the lying position. If you have a low adrenal function, your blood pressure will drop 5 mg/hg or more when you move from the lying to the standing position. With a few exceptions, this test is a reliable indication of the adrenal state.
You can support and treat your adrenal glands with vitamin and mineral supplements and with botanical medicines; also try by balancing workloads, rest, family time, physical and spiritual exercise, and personal playtime. If you believe your adrenals are exhausted, it is important that you employ these solutions to be successful in losing weight.
Adrenal Support Necessary for Weight Loss
Adrenal support is key in your battle to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Let's take a look at a few things that can help boost your adrenal support.
Adaptogens
Herbs that help you adapt to stress by supporting the adrenal glands are aptly called adaptogens. They improve your ability to cope with stress- physical, environmental, mental, and emotional. Adaptogens have many important properties, but the most important is their normalizing effect, regardless of the condition. They help your body maintain homeostasis, the constant internal state necessary for health and life itself. For example, if your blood pressure is high, an adaptogen will help lower it; if it is low, the same adaptogen will help normalize it.
Some of the common health-enhancing and adrenal-supporting functions of adaptogens include:
improving blood sugar metabolism
supporting the endocrine (hormonal) system
protecting and supporting the immune system
providing liver protection and support
increasing stamina and endurance
strengthening the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
strengthening the brain and central nervous system
protecting cells from antioxidant damage
Anti-stress Herbs
There are many herbs on the market that can help with stress. Here are a few.
Siberian ginseng (/Eleutherococcus senticosus/): This herb is known as the “King of Adaptogens.” It is respected for its ability to support adrenal function and enhance immune function. Studies have demonstrated that it is virtually nontoxic. In Russia, Siberian ginseng is well known for its ability to increase stamina and endurance in athletes. Siberian ginseng can be used to counter fatigue, give immune support, improve decreased mental abilities, and support the body during periods of high physical exertion.
/Recommended dosage/: Standardized to contain 1 percent eleutherosides, 100 mg one or two times daily.
Rhodiola (/Rhodiola rosea/): This herb is one of the newer adaptogens in North America, but it has been intensively studied for more than thirty-five years in Russia. Russian researchers have observed that rhodiola increases resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors; it also offers antifatigue, antidepressant, immune-enhancing, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. It improves the nervous system and mental function by increasing blood supply and protein synthesis. Rhodiola is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia, poor work performance, fatigue, hypertension, memory problems, and depression.
/Recommended dosage/: Standardized to 3.5–4 percent rosavins, 4.5 percent salidrosides, 100 mg one or two times daily.
Ashwagandha (/Withania somnifera/): Ashwagandha is my favorite herb. It is referred to as Indian ginseng and has been used in India's traditional medical system for more than 2,500 years. While numerous studies have explored this herb's ability to improve stress tolerance, combat fatigue, improve memory problems, enhance immune modulation, and benefit inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, recent research has examined its positive effect on people suffering from hormone imbalances and low thyroid function. It is exceptionally important if you have exhausted adrenals and low thyroid function. Ashwagandha is an excellent remedy for nervous system complaints such as anxiety and insomnia.
/Recommended dosage/: Standardized to 1.5 percent withanolides, 80 mg one or two times daily.
Suma (/Pfaffia paniculata/): Suma is both the common name and the trade name for this plant. In Brazil, it is also called para todo, a Portuguese phrase meaning “for everything.” Traditionally it is used as an energy and rejuvenating tonic as well as a general cure-all for many types of disorders. Suma is an excellent herb for the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, reproductive system, digestive system, and immune system. In Europe, suma is commonly used to treat fatigue, menopausal symptoms, impotence and other sexual difficulties, respiratory problems, blood sugar imbalances and diabetes, cancer, and other diseases related to chronic immune deficiencies. It is a source of beta-ecdysterone, which is often used to help athletes increase muscle mass and endurance.
/Recommended dosage/: 100 mg one or two times daily.
Schizandra (/Schisandra chinensis/): In traditional Chinese medicine, schizandra is commonly used as a general tonic herb to purify the blood and restore liver function. It improves cell turnover, which declines with aging. It is also used as an adaptogenic herb to counter the effects of stress and fatigue. Scientific studies show it has normalizing effects in cases of insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, and immune system disorders. Schizandra improves mental function and enhances physical and intellectual endurance.
/Recommended dosage/: 80 mg one or two times daily.
Adrenals and Salt
People with adrenal fatigue often have low blood pressure. One of the first symptoms of low adrenal function is salt cravings. The adrenal glands regulate mineral and water balance in the body. Without adequate sodium to make this system function properly, blood pressure drops. Salt will increase blood pressure to normal in those with weak adrenals and restore other cellular functions that require sodium. Many people restrict their salt intake, with two consequences: (1) they are not getting the iodine (in iodized salt) that helps thyroid function, and (2) they are not providing the adrenals with necessary sodium for adrenal balance. Low- to no-sodium diets, which eliminate water weight gain, are not healthy for people with weak adrenal glands. I am not recommending that you consume tons of salt-just be aware that salt is necessary for the adrenals. If you have high blood pressure, avoid salt. Processed, packaged foods are usually full of sodium, but these are not the foods you should be consuming. Most vegetables, especially celery, contain a small amount of sodium. Use sea salt, rich in many minerals. Olives are another good food for the adrenals, as they are naturally salty. You would probably also need "fat burners to aid fat loss":http://obesityadvice.org/top-10-proven-fat-burners-2016-list.
The adrenals are intricately linked to the thyroid gland, and disruption in one gland automatically puts pressure on the other. The effects of cortisol, secreted by the adrenals, on the thyroid gland is shown in the list below.
Elevated Cortisol (stress hormone) Leads to:
Weight gain
Abdominal fat cell enlargement
Increased cravings for sugar and carbohydrates
Increases in cholesterol and triglycerides
Afternoon fatigue
Desire to eat at night
Decreased serotonin, the feel-good hormone that stops food cravings
Memory problems and accelerated brain aging (shrinking hippocampus)
Increased tumour necrosis factor alpha, Interleukin-6, and Interleukin-1, promoting inflammation
Unbalanced immune function
Increased aromatase and estrogen in the fat cells
Sleep problems and reduced melatonin levels
Low sex drive
High blood pressure
Low Thyroid Function (metabolism hormone)
Elevated cortisol uses up tyrosine, which is used by the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone and ensure that it is converted from T4 to T3 (the more active thyroid hormone).
Leads to:
Decreased ability to burn fat
Morning aches and pains
Weight gain
Stubborn weight loss resistance
Exhausted adrenals
No sex drive
Heavy periods
Memory problems
Hormone problems (hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings)
Infertility and recurring miscarriage
Estrogen belly fat
The result is the inability to lose weight and keep it off.
Causes of Syndrome X
Aging
Excessive alcohol consumption
High-carbohydrate diet
High sugar intake
Insulin resistance
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Processed foods
Lack of exercise
Smoking
Healthy foods that slow a blood sugar rise include:
Lemons, apple cider vinegar, wine vinegars, and balsamic vinegars (but not regular white vinegar). Use liberally: these foods slow the release of glucose and reduce the GI of foods you combine them with
Raw or slightly steamed vegetables (preferably green)
Whole grains in their original state
Free-range meat, free-range eggs, seafood, soy, protein powders, and free-range poultry
Bad foods that make blood sugar skyrocket include:
Sugar
White flour, white spaghetti, white rice
Soft drinks
Processed goods
Yogurt sweetened with sugar and fruit
Fruit, Fruit juices, jams, and jellies
Jell-O and Kool-Aid
Alcohol
Eliminate as many of the bad foods as you can.
INSULIN AND STRESS
Another deadly aspect of high insulin is that it increases the secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone. A rise in cortisol causes a drop in the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which helps increase muscle mass. More muscle increases fat burning and reduces insulin. As you can see, high insulin promotes a cascade of very negative effects.
ADRENAL HEALTH
Now I will look at adrenal health with regard to excessive stress and resulting cortisol.
Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands are among the most important organs in the body. These small glands secretes sex hormones and stress-response hormones that guide the entire body's reaction to stress. They are the organs responsible for the front-line work of adapting to stress. Accumulated effects of internal and external stressors profoundly affect your adrenal glands and, in turn, your hormonal health.
You have two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. In response to triggers from the brain, the adrenals secrete hormones that permit your body to respond to stress by increasing your blood sugar levels; your rate of breathing; your cardiac output; blood flow to the muscles, lungs, and brain; and cellular metabolism-the famous “fight-or-flight” response. The adrenals are also responsible for producing cortisol hormones, aldosterone, estrogen, testosterone, and many other hormones. These hormones help regulate metabolic, excretory, reproductive, mineral balancing, and immune defense functions.
The secretion of these stress-response hormones is one of the most important functions of the adrenals. These hormones help us adapt over the longer term to the stresses of life; they stimulate the conversion of protein to energy so energy levels remain high even after glucose is used up in the fight-or-flight reaction. Other hormones help maintain elevated blood pressure and help deal with emotional shocks, infection, high workload, weather changes, environmental chemicals, physical or emotional trauma, and so on.
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
When your adrenal glands are under stress and on the verge of exhaustion they provide you with some very clear symptoms. Check any of the following statements that apply to you.
You crave salty foods You have insomnia in which you fall asleep, but wake up several hours later and can't go back to sleep
You feel exhausted when you wake up in the morning
Your fatigue is not improved with sleep
You lack energy
You feel like you are pushing yourself through the day
You have no libido
Little stressors make you feel anxious and angry
You suffer from recurring infections
You have chronic respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies
You take longer than you should to recover from sickness
You have low blood pressure
You feel faint when you stand up quickly from a sitting position
You have low moods
You lack interest in things that used to make you feel happy
You need coffee or other stimulants to give you a boost of energy
You have extreme hot flashes, night sweats, or PMS
Your memory seems to be failing
You feel like you have cotton in your head
You are exhausted by walking up the stairs or doing simple tasks You feel like you are dragging yourself through the day, but wake up after dinner
Your face and neck look suntanned, but you haven't been in the sun
If you have more than six of these symptoms, do some of the simple tests at the end of the next section.
Cortisol, the Hallmark of Stress
The hormone cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands in response to physical, psychological, or environmental stress, and is gaining attention as the hallmark of stress. However, cortisol is more than a simple marker of stress levels; it is necessary for the action of almost every function of your body. Excess or deficiency of this crucial hormone can cause a variety of physical symptoms, which, if not treated, can lead to chronic disease or death. Cortisol regulates hormones, glucose metabolism, and the immune system; it also regulates your body's use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Your ability to adapt to stress depends upon optimal functioning of your adrenal glands and regulation of cortisol secretion.
If you experience chronic stress, your cortisol levels will remain elevated. Research now correlates chronically elevated cortisol levels with blood sugar problems, fat accumulation, the ability of fat cells to become resistant to fat loss, compromised immune function, infertility, exhaustion, chronic fatigue, bone loss, high triglyceride levels, and heart disease. Memory loss has also been associated with high cortisol levels. As you can see, continual stress can indeed have a negative effect on many areas of your health. The extreme end of excessive secretion of cortisol results in Cushing's syndrome.
Long-term elevations of cortisol can cause your adrenal glands to wear out, so they can no longer produce normal levels of cortisol. After this comes adrenal exhaustion, which contributes to conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome or, in extreme cases, Addison's disease (in which the adrenals do not produce enough cortisol).
The adrenals secrete both male and female sex hormones-androgens and estrogens-and are the prime producers of estrogen and progesterone during the transitional years when the ovaries take a well-deserved rest. The adrenals are also the sole source of estrogen for men. In today's world, most women (and people in general) have some degree of adrenal compromise. Women generally work full-time, raise children, and juggle other demands of daily life. Poor adrenal health directly affects a woman's ability to smoothly make the transition into menopause. Cortisol production has a natural rhythm. Your body produces more cortisol in the morning than in the evening, giving you the energy you need to begin your day. The cortisol levels should drop by 90 percent in the evening as you leave the stresses of the day behind and start to unwind and relax. A recent study found that women who work outside the home and have family responsibilities tend to have elevated evening cortisol levels. Men, on the other hand, have lower cortisol levels in the evenings. The difference may reflect the additional responsibilities women have after they get home from their day jobs (cooking dinner, laundry, and child rearing). The study may explain why more women have difficulty sleeping and losing weight, particularly during the perimenopausal and menopausal years when the ovaries shut down and the adrenals become a major source of estrogen. Elevated cortisol levels at night prevent sleep or cause very light sleep with frequent waking.
Those with adrenal exhaustion tend to overeat in an attempt to bolster their energy levels, which results in weight gain. They often consume plenty of caffeinated beverages and sugar-laden foods in an attempt to get some quick energy. Couple this with the fact that high cortisol levels make fat cells resistant to fat loss and promote deposition of abdominal fat, and those with adrenal fatigue may feel like they are losing an impossible battle when it comes to weight loss. However, there is a way to repair adrenal exhaustion.
Do you need adrenal support? Take these adrenal function tests. Most people are surprised to find that many of their symptoms are related to poor adrenal function.
Adrenal Function Tests
If you answered yes to six or more of the questions in the adrenal symptom chart, you may want to evaluate your adrenal gland function with the following tests, which are available at your naturopathic or holistic medical doctor's office.
/ACTH Suppression Test (also called the Cortisol Suppression Test)/: This is a lab test commonly used to measure cortisol blood levels. However, results rarely show extreme enough alterations in cortisol levels to indicate a health problem.
Most adrenal conditions are due to suboptimal function of the adrenal glands, and it is difficult to diagnose mild to moderate adrenal compromise by using only a cortisol suppression test; the results will probably fall within the normal range.
/Adrenal Stress Index (ASI)/: An excellent method for assessing adrenal maladapation to stress, the ASI is an accurate and convenient method for assessing adrenal function by testing cortisol levels in the saliva. Saliva cortisol results have been used in stress research for more than ten years. The body's levels of cortisol vary throughout a twenty-four-hour period. With a home kit you can collect samples of saliva during the day, making it possible to measure the daily rhythm of cortisol production.
/Glucose Tolerance Test/: There is often a relationship between low blood sugar and low adrenal function. A five- to six-hour glucose-tolerance test can rule out blood sugar irregularities. Any physician can order this test.
/Reclining/Standing Blood Pressure/: This is an easy assessment of adrenal function. Your blood pressure is measured while you are reclining, then taken twice more when you are brought to a standing position. In a normal response, the blood pressure will be approximately 10 mg/hg higher in the standing position than in the lying position. If you have a low adrenal function, your blood pressure will drop 5 mg/hg or more when you move from the lying to the standing position. With a few exceptions, this test is a reliable indication of the adrenal state.
You can support and treat your adrenal glands with vitamin and mineral supplements and with botanical medicines; also try by balancing workloads, rest, family time, physical and spiritual exercise, and personal playtime. If you believe your adrenals are exhausted, it is important that you employ these solutions to be successful in losing weight.
Adrenal Support Necessary for Weight Loss
Adrenal support is key in your battle to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Let's take a look at a few things that can help boost your adrenal support.
Adaptogens
Herbs that help you adapt to stress by supporting the adrenal glands are aptly called adaptogens. They improve your ability to cope with stress- physical, environmental, mental, and emotional. Adaptogens have many important properties, but the most important is their normalizing effect, regardless of the condition. They help your body maintain homeostasis, the constant internal state necessary for health and life itself. For example, if your blood pressure is high, an adaptogen will help lower it; if it is low, the same adaptogen will help normalize it.
Some of the common health-enhancing and adrenal-supporting functions of adaptogens include:
improving blood sugar metabolism
supporting the endocrine (hormonal) system
protecting and supporting the immune system
providing liver protection and support
increasing stamina and endurance
strengthening the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
strengthening the brain and central nervous system
protecting cells from antioxidant damage
Anti-stress Herbs
There are many herbs on the market that can help with stress. Here are a few.
Siberian ginseng (/Eleutherococcus senticosus/): This herb is known as the “King of Adaptogens.” It is respected for its ability to support adrenal function and enhance immune function. Studies have demonstrated that it is virtually nontoxic. In Russia, Siberian ginseng is well known for its ability to increase stamina and endurance in athletes. Siberian ginseng can be used to counter fatigue, give immune support, improve decreased mental abilities, and support the body during periods of high physical exertion.
/Recommended dosage/: Standardized to contain 1 percent eleutherosides, 100 mg one or two times daily.
Rhodiola (/Rhodiola rosea/): This herb is one of the newer adaptogens in North America, but it has been intensively studied for more than thirty-five years in Russia. Russian researchers have observed that rhodiola increases resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors; it also offers antifatigue, antidepressant, immune-enhancing, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. It improves the nervous system and mental function by increasing blood supply and protein synthesis. Rhodiola is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia, poor work performance, fatigue, hypertension, memory problems, and depression.
/Recommended dosage/: Standardized to 3.5–4 percent rosavins, 4.5 percent salidrosides, 100 mg one or two times daily.
Ashwagandha (/Withania somnifera/): Ashwagandha is my favorite herb. It is referred to as Indian ginseng and has been used in India's traditional medical system for more than 2,500 years. While numerous studies have explored this herb's ability to improve stress tolerance, combat fatigue, improve memory problems, enhance immune modulation, and benefit inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, recent research has examined its positive effect on people suffering from hormone imbalances and low thyroid function. It is exceptionally important if you have exhausted adrenals and low thyroid function. Ashwagandha is an excellent remedy for nervous system complaints such as anxiety and insomnia.
/Recommended dosage/: Standardized to 1.5 percent withanolides, 80 mg one or two times daily.
Suma (/Pfaffia paniculata/): Suma is both the common name and the trade name for this plant. In Brazil, it is also called para todo, a Portuguese phrase meaning “for everything.” Traditionally it is used as an energy and rejuvenating tonic as well as a general cure-all for many types of disorders. Suma is an excellent herb for the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, reproductive system, digestive system, and immune system. In Europe, suma is commonly used to treat fatigue, menopausal symptoms, impotence and other sexual difficulties, respiratory problems, blood sugar imbalances and diabetes, cancer, and other diseases related to chronic immune deficiencies. It is a source of beta-ecdysterone, which is often used to help athletes increase muscle mass and endurance.
/Recommended dosage/: 100 mg one or two times daily.
Schizandra (/Schisandra chinensis/): In traditional Chinese medicine, schizandra is commonly used as a general tonic herb to purify the blood and restore liver function. It improves cell turnover, which declines with aging. It is also used as an adaptogenic herb to counter the effects of stress and fatigue. Scientific studies show it has normalizing effects in cases of insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, and immune system disorders. Schizandra improves mental function and enhances physical and intellectual endurance.
/Recommended dosage/: 80 mg one or two times daily.
Adrenals and Salt
People with adrenal fatigue often have low blood pressure. One of the first symptoms of low adrenal function is salt cravings. The adrenal glands regulate mineral and water balance in the body. Without adequate sodium to make this system function properly, blood pressure drops. Salt will increase blood pressure to normal in those with weak adrenals and restore other cellular functions that require sodium. Many people restrict their salt intake, with two consequences: (1) they are not getting the iodine (in iodized salt) that helps thyroid function, and (2) they are not providing the adrenals with necessary sodium for adrenal balance. Low- to no-sodium diets, which eliminate water weight gain, are not healthy for people with weak adrenal glands. I am not recommending that you consume tons of salt-just be aware that salt is necessary for the adrenals. If you have high blood pressure, avoid salt. Processed, packaged foods are usually full of sodium, but these are not the foods you should be consuming. Most vegetables, especially celery, contain a small amount of sodium. Use sea salt, rich in many minerals. Olives are another good food for the adrenals, as they are naturally salty. You would probably also need "fat burners to aid fat loss":http://obesityadvice.org/top-10-proven-fat-burners-2016-list.
The adrenals are intricately linked to the thyroid gland, and disruption in one gland automatically puts pressure on the other. The effects of cortisol, secreted by the adrenals, on the thyroid gland is shown in the list below.
Elevated Cortisol (stress hormone) Leads to:
Weight gain
Abdominal fat cell enlargement
Increased cravings for sugar and carbohydrates
Increases in cholesterol and triglycerides
Afternoon fatigue
Desire to eat at night
Decreased serotonin, the feel-good hormone that stops food cravings
Memory problems and accelerated brain aging (shrinking hippocampus)
Increased tumour necrosis factor alpha, Interleukin-6, and Interleukin-1, promoting inflammation
Unbalanced immune function
Increased aromatase and estrogen in the fat cells
Sleep problems and reduced melatonin levels
Low sex drive
High blood pressure
Low Thyroid Function (metabolism hormone)
Elevated cortisol uses up tyrosine, which is used by the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone and ensure that it is converted from T4 to T3 (the more active thyroid hormone).
Leads to:
Decreased ability to burn fat
Morning aches and pains
Weight gain
Stubborn weight loss resistance
Exhausted adrenals
No sex drive
Heavy periods
Memory problems
Hormone problems (hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings)
Infertility and recurring miscarriage
Estrogen belly fat
The result is the inability to lose weight and keep it off.
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