This hidden shortfall is the best kept nutritional secret!
While high cortisol has been connected to stubborn weight gain, it can also wreak havoc when it is too low. A whopping 8 out of 10 women from their 20s to 50s are suffering from some type of adrenal dysfunction—characterized by cortisol that is too high or too low.
The adrenals, small walnut-size glands that sit on top of the kidneys, act as the body’s “fight or flight” glands and produce important hormones like adrenaline and the body’s stress hormones—cortisol and DHEA.
When we are overwhelmed with unrelenting stress—like last minute holiday shopping, bumper-to-bumper traffic, dental appointments or even missed meals—the adrenal glands can’t keep up. My clients’ Salivary Hormone Testing and Tissue Mineral Analysis reports from the past 15 years reveal that nearly 50% of all women suffer from low levels of stress-fighting cortisol and rejuvenating DHEA.
Common Signs of Burned Out Adrenals:
Does this sound like you?
- Dark circles or bags under your eyes
- Frequent upper respiratory sickness
- Always tired, especially around 7am, 11am and 3pm
- Cravings for caffeine and sugary foods to boost energy
- Cravings for salt
- Insomnia
- Suffering from “Night owl” syndrome (getting a second wind late in the evening)
- Constantly fighting belly fat
5 Solutions to Restore Your Energy
When you feel a dip in energy, never reach for a quick fix like caffeine or artificial stimulants which only force the adrenals into overdrive and activate cortisol. This over-stimulation forces the adrenals to secrete high levels of cortisol which causes fat to stockpile around the belly. Enter today’s belly fat phenomenon. After years of overstimulation, the adrenals become tired out and can no longer secrete cortisol.
What to do to overcome this response? Just follow these suggestions to regenerate and reset your adrenal glands for sustained and balanced energy levels:
1. Rebuild Adrenal Function.
Consider a daily supplement like UNI KEY’s Adrenal Formula that contains adrenal glandular tissue, an extract from bovine adrenal glands that carries the DNA/RNA blueprint of the adrenal gland to promote repair. Adrenal Formula also contains key revitalizing nutrients like pantothenic acid—the cornerstone vitamin for replenishing cortisol.
Pantothenic acid was first popularized in the 1970s thanks to the writing of Adele Davis, whose books I devoured. Taking 500 to 3,000 mg daily got me through college and all-nighters. Then there’s vitamin C, zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin A and tyrosine which all help make strong adrenal hormones. Tyrosine is especially important as a neurotransmitter precursor, while vitamin A—the anti-infection vitamin, boosts immunity. (When the adrenals are off, immunity goes into a downward spiral). In addition, the spleen and liver glandulars in the formula work synergistically with the adrenal tissue extracts to help assimilation and absorption.
Start with one caplet three times daily at 7 am, 11 am and 3 pm. If blood pressure is 90/60 or below, consider upping the dosage to two caplets three times daily at the “adrenal times.”
2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep.
The hours before midnight are the most therapeutic for adrenal rejuvenation. Get to bed by 10 pm, and aim for 7 hours or more. Any later, and you will get a second wind, after which sleep will be much more challenging.
3. Reduce Your Stress Levels.
Set aside time to relax each day—escape with a good book, work in the garden, start an exercise routine, or take a walk. I like Epsom Salt Baths at night which nicely force me to relax.
4. Take Special Minerals.
Sodium: Low levels of sodium are common with adrenal burnout. I find that taking ¼ to 1 teaspoon good quality salt daily helps to balance cortisol levels. Salt is especially important if low blood pressure is an issue.
Potassium: Under prolonged stress, potassium can easily get out of whack resulting in blood sugar abnormalities. I recommend taking 99 mg potassium chloride daily.
5. Power Up with Protein.
Keep metabolic fires burning by consuming 20 grams of protein with each meal. Not only does protein boost metabolism by up to 25% for about 12 hours, it keeps blood sugar/insulin levels steady. Choose from organic, hormone-free protein sources like eggs, lean beef, lamb, poultry, fish, seafood, tofu and tempeh. Or, for an excellent protein boost on-the-go, sip a smoothie made with clean protein powder like Fat Flush Body Protein, which contains 20 grams of protein per serving.
The bottom line is we need all the “natural” energy we can muster this time of the year. Don’t let adrenal challenges shortchange your energy levels before, during, or after the holidays! I don’t know what I would do without UNI KEY’s Adrenal Formula, which I have taken for over twenty years.
I wish you a most magical holiday season this year and during all the seasons of your life!
The beautiful painting on this card is “Dove of Peace” by my very talented sister-in-law Sandra Gittleman. See more of her paintings here.