Adrenal Health

Adrenal glands are no bigger than a walnut and weigh less than a grape. They sit like a tiny ‘pyramid’ on top of each kidney. Their location is spelled out in their name; ’ad’ ‘renal’ means ‘over’ or ‘above’ the ‘kidney’.

Important ‘control centers’ for many of the body’s hormones These powerful endocrine glands manufacture and secrete steroid hormones including coritsol, DHEA, estrogen, and testosterone, as well as adrenaline all of which are essential to ones health, vitality, and overall well-being.

The adrenal hormones support and affect every tissue, organ, and gland in your body. Their main purpose is to enable one’s body and mind to deal with various forms of stress including injury, disease, and adaptability to situations. The adrenals (largely) determine the energy response of your body to every change in one’s internal and external environment, in fact, every cell in your body responds to signals from the adrenals.

One of the essential functions of your adrenal glands is to draw all your body’s resources into “fight or flight” mode by increasing the production of adrenaline and various other hormones. I would like to re-name this response “fight, flight, or freedom”. When the adrenals are healthy one’s ability to respond to situations appropriately is enhanced. This renewed freedom allows for a whole host of possibilities.

When healthy, your adrenals can instantly increase your heart rate and blood pressure, release energy stores for immediate use, sharpen your senses, slow digestion and various other secondary functions. This function is extremely important in emergency situations.

Another aspect of healthy adrenals is the ability to endure long periods of physical exertion such as seen in marathon running, swimming, long distance cycling, and the day to day responsibilities of parenting. When supported by healthy adrenals, one’s natural energy supply is balanced. It is your adrenal gland’s ‘job’ to react to stress in a ‘balanced’ way so that one’s response is appropriate to the situation and not injurious. An example of this is the ‘protective’ activity of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant adrenal hormones such as cortisol that helps to minimize allergic and negative reactions such as inflammation and swelling to environmental allergens, infection, and various foods.

The hormones produced by the adrenal glands closely affect the utilization of carbohydrates and fats, the conversion of fats and proteins into energy, as well as the distribution of stored adipose (fatty tissue) on the body (especially around the waist), blood sugar regulation, and healthy cardiovascular and gastrointestinal (digestive and absorptive) function.

Adrenal gland hormones have a wide variety of physical, emotional, psychological, and physiological effects including sex drive and the tendency to gain weight. In fact, at mid-life (menopause in women), the adrenal glands become the primary source for sex hormones circulating throughout the body in both genders. (reword the last two paragraphs)

An estimated 75-80% of Westerners suffer from ‘Adrenal fatigue’ at some point in their lives. ‘Adrenal fatigue’ is a described as a collection of signs and symptoms classically known as a “syndrome” that results when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level. Signs and symptoms may include severe fatigue, light-headedness upon standing, depression and irritability, lack of sex drive, exhaustion and general malaise, loss of appetite, food cravings, and dark circles around the eyes. Most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, various other situations contribute to ‘adrenal fatigue’ including life crisis, trauma, lifestyle, and chronic illness. Other factors that contribute to the depletion of adrenal health include certain lifestyle choices such as improper diet, substance abuse, too little or improper sleep or rest and increased or on-going life-style pressures.

Following are some natural suggestions for nourishing and rejuvenating adrenal health:

Adequate intake of water. I use the formula .6 x body weight = ounces of water per day for my clients. This is a number that should be moved towards over time. For example if weigh 150 pounds your daily water intake would be 90 ounces. .6 x 150 = 90 ounces. If you are currently drinking 40 ounces of water per day and your (ideal) daily ounce intake is 90 ounces, increase gently to your ideal ounces of water over the next month or two.

Silence. Take 10 minutes of time to sit in silence at both the beginning and the end of each day. Find a quiet place in your home or outside near a tree or natural source of water. Sit in a comfortable position and gently follow the rhythm of your breath. Allow yourself this sacred quiet time each day as an opportunity to nourish and assimilate, ground and rejuvenate your energy.

Decrease (or preferably eliminate) intake of processed sugars and increase intake of natural earth sugars from root vegetables such as yams, carrots, turnips, and beets.

Ingest adequate amounts of essential fatty acids. Various sources include fish oils, evening primrose oil, borage oil, hemp oils, coconut oil, and flax oils. Research which sources are best for your needs.

Adequate fresh air, deep breaths, and movement. Spend time in nature-walking along the ocean, at a park, on a well traveled trail. Take full deep breaths and inhale in the healing power of the natural world. Take time to look at the trees and flower as well as the sky and various birds and so on. Enjoy this time outside as healing and nourishing.

Take time for baths using Epsom salts or apple cider vinegar (a tablespoon of either is sufficient). This will help to pull out fatigue and ‘acidity’ from the your mind and body. Light a candle and read a book or simply soak in the warm water imaging your worries and stress washing away as you renew, strengthen, and ‘purify’ your energy. Consider adding a few drops of pure Lavender essential oil to your bath and allow the relaxing aroma to help you relax and refresh. A favorite essential oil blend: 4 drops Lavender essential oil, 1 drop Rose essential oil. Lavender essential oil is often used for the decreasing stress and depression. Lavender has a calming and mood lifting effect.

Deep sleep. The two hours before midnight is consider essential time for sleep for rejuvenating sleep. Start consciously moving your bedtime towards the bewitching hour of 10 pm and notice the shift in health. A couple of drops of Lavender essential oil on your pillow can help with sleep.

The following essential oil blend used directly over the adrenals first thing in the morning and then again in the (early) evening can help to nourish, strengthen, and rejuvenate the adrenals.

In a 30 ml (one ounce blue cobalt or amber glass bottle)
Black Spruce 2 ml
1 ml Pine essential oil
1 ml Cedarwood essential oil
1 ounce of Hazelnut carrier oil (unless allergic to nuts-then choose another carrier such as sesame seed).

Fill the remainder of the bottle with carrier oil and blend.

Use 1 ml at a time and rub into the adrenal area at the bottom of your ribs on your back.

*** As with any suggestions please consult your primary care giver prior to utilizing if you have any questions or concerns.