Especially around the holidays, we can tend to feel stressed and tired. Physical or emotional stress can wreak havoc on the adrenal glands. These endocrine glands are our “stress handling” glands and when they become fatigued, it can directly affect our energy, blood sugar levels and metabolic rate.
The Role of Our Adrenal Glands
Our adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters that help us handle physical and emotional stress. They are known as epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and DHEA. They all work together and should be in balance with each other. The job of adrenal glands is to maintain that balance or “homeostasis.” The glands are responsible for numerous functions in your body:
- Immune response
- Fluid balance
- Blood sugar levels
- Energy levels
- Healthy sleep
- Aiding digestion
Epinephrine
This neurotransmitter gives you quick energy and increased focus in what’s known as a “fight-or-flight” response. It will cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Epinephrine is also responsible for the release of sugar from the liver to increase blood sugar. It is critical in fat breakdown; without adequate amounts of epinephrine you can’t lose weight.
Norepinephrine
An imbalance in this neurotransmitter can affect our motivation, decrease our stamina and can diminish digestive function.
Cortisol
When imbalanced, this hormone can disrupt our sleep and affect our blood sugar levels as well as fat storage.
DHEA
Known as the “Vitality Hormone,” DHEA is the precursor for many other hormones and is essential in maintaining hormonal balance. This also affects our energy levels.
The Impact of Stress
Long-term stress, whether physical or emotional, can often cause the adrenal glands to become fatigued. Treating adrenal fatigue is essential to feeling better, lifting your mood and maintaining a healthy weight. These glands can be tested, and if they aren’t functioning at their optimal levels, they can be rebalanced (usually within 8-12 weeks) through lifestyle changes, diet and supplements.
If you feel your adrenal glands are fatigued, call our office to discover how you can feel better! We’ll also recommend some things you can do to recover from adrenal fatigue.