- What are adrenal glands?
We have two adrenal glands, each located above a kidney. They are formed by two glands, anatomically associated, but whose origin and function are different: when we cut transversely an adrenal gland, we see at the periphery a rather firm yellowish zone, the adrenal cortex, or “cortico adrenal” and a reddish central zone, very vascularized: the “medullo adrenal”.
- What is their role?
The adrenal glands help us to manage stress. They control the fight or flight mechanism. They also secrete hormones such as norepinephrine, epinephrine, aldosterone, cortisol, ACTH… which are vitality and well-being hormones and support the sexual hormones. These glands provide some control: body fluid, blood sugar balance between meals, inflammatory response, immune system response.
Conventionally, adrenal fatigue is not recognized, except in the case of Addison’s disease (insufficiency) or Cushing’s syndrome (hyper). It is said that 90% of the population has some degree of adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal weakness opens the door to other conditions: digestive problems, allergies, chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, immune system weakness, diabetes, degenerative diseases, cancer…
The quality of your life depends largely on the proper functioning of your adrenal glands.
- What affects them?
As is often the case, stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, sugar, stimulants, emotions, infections…
- Symptoms of adrenal decline
Low blood pressure, salt craving, fatigue, poor sleep quality…
- The adrenals and the hormonal system
Sex hormones and adrenal hormones are all steroid hormones The adrenals are the backup system for gonadal hormones. Adrenal fatigue always affects the balance of gonadal hormones.
In women with adrenal fatigue, progesterone will almost always be low, and vice versa. DHEA is sometimes low as well. This is because steroid hormones are fat-based hormones made from cholesterol.
- How to test the adrenals?
There are several tests such as the rapid adrenal fatigue test or the Ragland test: Normal: 3 to 5. Hypo adrenal: 10 to 35 points drop but also a capillary test, ASI test or finally, the muscle test.
- How to restore the adrenals?
As everything passes through the intestines, we will start by readjusting the diet and lifestyle. But also, the ways of thinking.
There are also supplements like B6, Tyrosine (Cyruta+), choline, Vit C, Vit B, licorice, drenamine, cataplex B.
Finally, there is what is called the salt protocol: 1/8 to 1⁄4 teaspoon in a glass of warm water. This will taste good if needed or you will feel nauseous if you don’t need it.
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