Category: Adrenal Health

by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

• The stress response and how it causes us gain weight
• Belly fat, one of the first symptoms of adrenal dysfunction
• Changing your diet, the key ingredient for adrenal balance
• Balancing your life, where to start?

The most important question so many of my patients ask me is “Why am I gaining weight?  I’ve done nothing different.”

Times have changed greatly and our lives are busier than ever. Multi-tasking is now the norm. Between the stressors of our jobs, relationship turmoil, caring for aging or sick parents, and many other responsibilities, we are all very aware that life challenges are more difficult than ever before. Sometimes unconscious snacking can occur as it’s a quick fix solution to increased stress, and it does temporarily soothe the tension.  BUT it is by far not the only reason for our weight gain as stress and the physical effects can be such a big factor.

Many physiological changes happen with high levels of stress and all of these predispose us to gain unwanted pounds – many times without changing our diets or eating habits!

The origin of these dramatic changes stem from hormones produced by our adrenal glands.  These amazing glands govern many very important bodily functions and are crucial to helping us deal with the stress response. When the adrenals are completely out of balance, the fight-or-flight response occurs and the body prepares for the worst case scenario by storing calories for a rainy day. But the good news is that when supported properly and healthy function is regained – energy comes back, stamina returns, cravings for carbs and sugar disappear, and best of all – the unwanted pounds just fall off with little effort.

Our adrenal products help thousands of women.  Learn more about all of the products included in our True Health Systems for Adrenal Health.

So how does stress really affect our weight? Let’s take a more in depth look at how this happens and what you need to do about it so you can feel more like your old self.

How stress really can makes us gain unwanted weight

As a culture, we most often think that “being stressed” is only related to our emotions, yet few of us understand the dramatic effect it has on us physically. The most frustrating way that it affects us is by storing any calories that are not absolutely necessary, and most often the storage occurs in the abdominal area and thighs.

Our ancient evolution has everything to do with why this happens this way. Many years ago,  if you were being chased by a tiger, your adrenals quickly went into the fight-or-flight mode, releasing it’s stress hormones – adrenaline and cortisol. Those superhuman powers we have heard about in cases of stress come from adrenalin and cortisol, and their ability to quickly mobilize carbohydrates and fats to give us instant energy. When the threat is over, our body relaxes but our instincts cause us to refuel with carbohydrate dense foods that are most often stored as fat. When high levels of cortisol are streaming through the blood, we are much less sensitive to leptin, the hormone that gives the signal to the brain that we are full.  Therefore, there may be a tendency to eat more than usual, as it feels like a need for survival.

The real problem here is that these physiological responses take place whether the threat is real or psychological. Because most of the everyday stressors we experience on a day to daybasis don’t require our fight or flee response we really don’t need the extra calories our body is so efficiently storing. The other significant change is that many of us are living in a constant state of stress which causes high levels of cortisol to be released on a regular basis for extended periods of time.

Belly fat:  One of the key symptoms of adrenal fatigue

Women with adrenal dysfunction most often develop additional body fat around their middle, known for many as a “spare tire”.  There are several reasons for this. In normal circumstances, if we have gone for long periods of time without food, our blood sugar drops and our brain sends chemical messages to the adrenals to release cortisol.  This cortisol mobilizes glucose, amino acids and fat to prevent the blood sugar from going too low and keeps the body and brain fueled with the energy it requires when food is not available.  Cortisol’s job is to maintain stable levels of glucose in the blood while insulin assists in the ushering of glucose into the cells.

After years and or months of long term stress, cortisol and insulin remain high in the blood and the extra glucose gets stored as that unwanted fat, mostly in the abdomen and thighs. Research is now showing us that fat cells have special receptors for the stress hormone cortisol, but most importantly these receptors are much more prevalent on the fat cells in the abdominal area.

Another extremely frustrating issue, is that this fat does not just sit there. Recent research shows that it actually works like an endocrine organ that reacts to the stress response which in turn creates even more abdominal fat and on and on it goes.  The great news – and it is great news – is that you can stop the cycle by taking steps to heal that adrenal imbalance.

What can you do to change the pattern: Eat right!!

Many of you may have read my article on how to eat for adrenal health, and everything I talk about in my book, Is It Me or My Adrenals? and in this article applies here too.  So what can you do?!

Regular meals and two snacks per day.  To convince your body that it is not starving, and most importantly, that it is not in danger, you must eat on a regular basis. Keeping your blood sugar stable prevents large amounts of cortisol from being released and in the long run, decreases the burden on the adrenal glands. I recommend that you eat three balanced meals and two snacks per day, and these need to be spread out across the day to work with your bodies’ natural circadian rhythm. See our diagram of the cortisol cycle for the effects of meals and snacks on cortisol.

Eating at the right times does matter.  Cortisol has a natural rhythm, which is highest in the morning, and decreases gradually as the day progresses, and is lowest at night so restful sleep can occur. Eating tends to increase cortisol, so eating the largest meal earlier in the day is the best option for optimal well-being.

Having your favorite foods readily available. So many of my patients use sugar, sugary snacks and caffeine because these give them quick energy and are fast and easy. But trust me, eating this way often leads to an even bigger drop in energy as the blood sugar plummets after the initial spike. If energy is needed, add protein and foods high in nutrients that support the adrenals, foods such as blueberries, broccoli, ginger, avocado and of course lean proteins.

Tip:  Something extremely important to consider is adding a pharmaceutical grade multivitamin/mineral complex and adaptogenic herbs like the ones we offer in our True Health Systems. Adrenal expert Shawn Talbott, PhD, writes, “When it comes to dietary supplementation for stress adaptation and cortisol control, the first line of defense appears in the form of a comprehensive multivitamin/mineral supplement…”

Balancing your life to promote the healing of the adrenals

As I talked about in the beginning of this article, we live in a world that is non-stop.  We as women multi-task and are often proud of all that we can accomplish in a day.  We have cell phones, and most of us have smart phones, ipads, computers, do texting and Facebook, and we seldom take a peaceful break.  Restoring the adrenals back to balance means having balance in your life which requires that you take time for yourself and find ways to slow down regularly. Many of us think that being on the go all the time will help with weight loss, but the opposite is actually true. But if you’re tired, wired, and overweight, it’s likely you will need to lower your stress level and heal your adrenals to stop the vicious weight-gain cycle.

Important things for you to Know!

Craving salt and being light headed, especially when getting up quickly, can be signs of adrenal dysfunction.

You can take our quick quiz to see if you have an adrenal dysfunction and get our unique recommendations for your unique situation. Learn more.

How do I start to balance my life?

Sleep. So many of my patients tell me they feel more energized at night especially after dinner or that night time is their best time. I also hear from them that they just can’t get to sleep or falling asleep is easy, but they always wake up and can’t get back to sleep.  If your circadian rhythm is backwards and your cortisol is low in the morning and high at night you will feel tired in the morning and wired and awake at night. You can begin to change this pattern by eating your largest meal earlier in the day, and having a light dinner, stopping any screen time including the computers at 7pm and making an effort to be in bed by 10 pm, striving for at least 7-8 hours of sleep. If you are struggling with sleep, our Women to Women’s Sleep Support Formula can help naturally reset your sleep cycle.

Be mindful of exercise. If you are already in a pattern of getting regular exercise, and feel good after the exercise, then continue your regime.  IF, on the other hand, you feel wiped out after exercise, try decreasing the exercise and try not to get your heart rate over 90 until the adrenal dysfunction is resolved. If you are just starting to exercise, try taking a walk (preferably outside) for 15 minutes to start and then increasing to 15 minutes two times per day. Exercise has been known to decrease stress and help endorphins, which help you feel better.

 Play. As adults we seldom make time to play. Most of us have forgotten that fun and play are essential parts of life.  Making some time in your life now for more fun is essential for your well-being. Many times in my practice I will actually write out a prescription for my patients to have fun and PLAY more.  So now I want you to do just that!

 Breathe. Breathing is crucial for slowing your heart rate and calming your entire body. Just three or four deep breaths can do wonders to accomplish just that. So find time to take those deep breaths throughout the day – especially when you are stressed.  The good news is that it takes up very little of your time and you need to breathe anyway. Try to recognize those times when your body needs a break.  Get some fresh air, take a few deep breaths, have a relaxing cup of tea and relax – even if this is for a short period of time.  It will do wonders.

Allow your body to release the stress and relax

In seeing patients every day, I see over and over again the enormous sense of responsibility many women have today.  For so many it can seem virtually impossible to take just a minute for themselves. But I know that unwanted weight gain and lack of get up and go are significant worries for many women.  For so many of us our stress in intimately connected to our weight and lack of energy.  Our amazing bodies are very wise and want to protect us with the fight-or-flight response, and hold onto those extra pounds.

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by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

I think we can all agree that over the years women’s lives have really changed – our cultural expectations, our feminist expectations, and our personal expectations all combined with advancing technology have dramatically changed our day to day lives. Think about our grandmothers or great grandmothers – they stayed home and cooked the meals, often taking all day to prepare, setting aside dedicated time to visit with friends or take care of family responsibilities and experienced a much different pace than women today. This isn’t to say that these wonderful women didn’t work hard! They did! Today’s woman may prepare a meal, while answering work emails, responding to texts from children requesting rides, while supporting a friend going through crisis…all at the same time! This scenario doesn’t take into consideration the physical stress her body might be handling at that very moment – significant hormonal shifts could be happening at the same time – particularly if she hasn’t eaten in a balanced meal within the past few hours, if she hasn’t been sleeping, or if her sex hormones are out of balance. We are very complex beings! Our bodies respond to stress in a physical way.

Weight – particularly weight gain is a prominent topic with most of my patients. Some see the pounds sneaking on gradually; others tell me that overnight 20 pounds have jumped onto their bodies. Most tell me that they have tried to cut calories, increase exercise and at times have taken some dietary supplements. It seems as though these women are doing all the right things. These patients are always, yes always surprised when I steer our conversation to the stress in their lives. What does stress have to do with weight gain?

Our adrenal glands, walnut sized glands which sit atop our kidneys, govern our stress response and help regulate many other body processes can become imbalanced. We’ve all heard the stories about mothers having a surge of strength to lift a car off their injured child – this amazing strength comes from a surge of adrenaline and cortisol from the adrenal glands! This is exactly how our bodies were designed. These hormones mobilize energy product from fats and carbohydrates In a perfect world, we would experience that surge, then our stress would pass.

For many women today, periods of intense stress never stop and our adrenal glands keep producing the hormones they should, but begin to become unbalanced. Then our bodies start preparing for the worst by storing calories – our primal body kicks in – being stingy with how calories are used and insuring that it will have calories – and fat to pull from when needed. When are bodies are flooded with cortisol, we are less sensitive to leptin. Leptin is the hormone that makes us feel full – when less sensitive to it; we eat more than we normally might. Our bodies are wise – holding onto calories help us survive!

Women with adrenal imbalance most often experience weight gain around their middle – their waist grows disproportionately to other areas – we call this visceral fat depositing. When our bodies are not struggling with constant stress, cortisol, glucose and insulin all work together to keep our blood sugar stable. When we haven’t eaten for several hours, our glucose (blood sugar) drops and a message is sent to the adrenal glands to release cortisol. This cortisol mobilizes fat, amino acids (from our muscles) and glucose (from glycogen in the liver). All of this keeps your body and brain fueled in the absence of food, preventing low blood sugar also known as hypoglycemia. Insulin helps glucose into the cells and cortisol maintains glucose levels in the blood.

With long term stress, both insulin and cortisol remain high in the blood. Extra glucose is stored in the form of fat , primarily in abdominal fat cells. This is also known as visceral fat. Scientific studies have shown that fat cells have unique stress hormone receptors for cortisol and that there are more of these receptors on the fat cells in the abdomen than anywhere else in the body! Most women are shocked to learn that this visceral fat is not inactive! It seems as though the fat itself can act as an endocrine organ that reacts to the stress response – and will continue to build on to the abdominal fat deposits. What a terrible cycle to fall into! The answer is to help the adrenal glands get back into balance.

Where do you start? By eating!

Like many of my patients, you may be surprised, too! Yes, eating more instead of less is one of the keys. You want to convince your body that its not in danger of starving – and the way to do that is to eat – making sure you are making good choice to provide the nutrients you need.

Eating regularly is the way to go! We know that cortisol is integral to maintaining good blood sugar levels and stable blood sugar levels keep your adrenal glands from working overtime. When you get too hungry, you send the message that cortisol is needed – and the unhealthy cycle will start. To prevent this, I recommend three balanced meals and two snacks per day. Eating within one hour of waking lets your cortisol reach its morning peak, relieving your adrenals from maintain fast blood sugar levels. A healthy balanced snack between meals helps tremendously. I advise women to have lean protein at every snack and meal and to keep carbohydrate intake to 16 grams per meal and 7 per snack.

What you eat counts!

Keeping good choices close at hand is the key! When you’re hungry and tired our natural response is to reach for what’s close at hand. Sugar laden foods, caffeine and carbohydrate heavy foods may fill your need in the moment, but not in the long term. When in this healing phase it’s important to avoid processed foods, alcohol, caffeine and refined and processed sugars. Many of my patients are gluten sensitive and notice good, positive changes when it is removed from the diet.

Keeping the foods you need handy may take a little more time, but the end result is worth it. Lean proteins can be cooked ahead of time, vegetables can be purchased peeled and cut, and nut butters on an apple are quick and easy. And remember…you are worth every effort!

• Breathe deeply. One of the best things you can do when you feel stress building is to pause, take in three very deep breaths through your nose, exhaling mindfully through your mouth…and feel your heart rate decrease. You can do this anywhere and no one will even guess what you are doing!

• Disrupted or poor quality sleep can also affect your ability to lose weight! When your circadian rhythm is disrupted your cortisol cycle will follow! Create a goal to get at least 7 hours sleep per night. Follow good sleep hygiene – including turning off all electronics one hour before bed!

• Exercise mindfully. Keep our heart rate under 90 beats per minute if you are currently exercising. You may want to consider easing up for a few months while you are healing. If you don’t exercise, try walking 15 minutes once or twice a day – outside if possible.

• Find time to enjoy something every day – whatever that means to you! Is it meeting a friend for a meal? Skyping with a family member? Reading? A bubble bath? Taking your dog to a dog park? Taking a class once a week? One woman I know loves to take classes – she does everything from craft classes to wine tasting. These classes define what she needs for fun – connection, learning, new environments and a feeling of moving forward in her life. What’s fun for you?

Stress related weight gain does not have to be a part of your life!

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by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

Restoring The Energy You Thought Was Lost

In this article:

Phytotherapy for adrenal health — the role that plant medicine plays within our body

Medicinal herbs for adrenal imbalance — our suggestions

Real support, not just a one-size-fits-all solution

 Now let me ask you, does any of this sound familiar?

•  Do you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stressed all the time?
•  Do you need five cups of coffee or a constant infusion of soda just to make it through the day?
•  Do you have trouble waking up, falling asleep, or staying asleep, no matter which herbal supplements you try?
•  Do you find yourself feeling constantly irritable or on edge?
•  Do you feel that you need to exercise to stay in shape even though you’re exhausted when you do?
•  Do you feel as though everything you eat turns to fat?
•  Are you always hungry, frequently craving sweets, or tempted by “carbo-binges”?
•  Are you plagued by irregular or painful periods or PMS?
•  Are you struggling with peri-menopause or menopause: lowered sex drive, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and hot flashes?
•  Do you find yourself feeling forgetful, “foggy,” or unable to concentrate?
•  Do you find that you do better when you’re always on the go?
•  Do you find that you actually enjoy adrenaline rushes and feel a little bored without a crisis to handle?
•  Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, or despair?

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If I’ve painted a picture you recognize—in yourself, in your family, among your friends and colleagues—you’ve just gotten a good look at adrenal dysfunction, a distressingly common problem in which overworked adrenal glands combined with lifelong emotional patterns add up to a painful set of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. In the early stages of adrenal dysfunction, you might feel “tired and wired”: keyed up, anxious, fatigued, and depressed. In the later stages, you might simply feel exhausted. Either way, you know something’s wrong—even if your health-care provider has assured you that you’re fine or hasn’t included adrenal dysfunction in his or her diagnosis.

In my practice, I have found that many women have come in feeling listless with energy levels so low that they feel this is normal. Many have felt that this is just part of the aging process. However, I am happy to say that it’s not natural to feel fatigued purely as a function of your age. And as long as there are no major health issues causing your fatigue, we can absolutely get you back to feeling as energetic and vibrant as you did in your younger years. What it really boils down to, is learning to listen to your body and being able to identify what is wrong. Understanding your body and its functions like how to better support your adrenal glands, two plum-sized but powerful glands that many women have never even heard of.

You may not think much about your adrenals, but they are crucial to your health, mood, and well-being. These little triangular-shaped glands sit on top of the kidneys, responsible for giving us those extra surges of vitality that we need to cope with unusual challenges, new demands, and heightened levels of stress. That vitality is commonly known as the fight-or-flight reaction. When a major challenge threatens, our adrenal glands kick up the stress hormones, enabling us to cope with whatever challenge or emergency befalls. Then, when the crisis is over, the stress hormones subside and we relax once more.

Today we live in a world that is troubled with so many challenges, that it is a relief to know that although your adrenal glands serve a number of functions within your body. Their primary responsibility is to help you react — and survive — in the face of stress. Sometimes we may not feel stressed, but unfortunately stress comes in many disguises which we aren’t always aware of: physical, emotional, perceived, psychological, environmental, infectious, or any combination of these. Because your adrenal glands work in tandem with your body and mind, they have the ability to respond to every kind of stress.

Unfortunately, your health-care practitioner is likely to ignore or dismiss adrenals as the source of your problem unless you are suffering from either Addison’s disease, in which case your adrenals severely under produce, or Cushing’s syndrome, in which they severely overproduce. These two conditions are well understood by conventional medicine. But if your adrenal imbalance is less extreme—as is true for hundreds of thousands of U.S. women—your practitioner is unlikely to recognize your condition. That’s because, despite the enormous body of science relating adrenal problems to a wide variety of symptoms, adrenal dysfunction is not a commonly accepted diagnosis.

From both my personal as well as my professional experience I understand the impact when your adrenal system and body is not working in harmony with one another. Sometimes we need to look beyond conventional medicine towards alternative forms of therapy that will enable you to live an optimally healthy lifestyle.

Are your adrenals imbalanced?

Our adrenals produce bio-chemicals that our body needs to function on a daily basis. Women with adrenal issues often say they have issues in other areas of their bodies as well, such as, irregular blood-sugar; thyroid and sex hormone imbalance; digestive problems; cardiovascular difficulties; immune and autoimmune disorders; mood complaints such as anxiety and depression; and cognitive difficulties, such as poor memory, fogginess, and an inability to concentrate and think clearly. This increase of symptoms can make adrenal dysfunction problematic to recognize. But if you know what you’re looking for, it can be done.

Below is a simple list of questions which may help you to identify whether your adrenal glands are functioning correctly and whether they are in-sync with your mind and body. Should you answer yes to more than one of these questions, I would suggest that you consult with a functional medicine practitioner regarding your adrenal glands.

•  Are you always on the run?
•  Do you often feel the inability to cope with things around you?
•  Do you feel that you need to use far more energy than normal when you need to do something?
•  Are you struggling to get out of bed in the morning?
•  When your energies levels are low do you turn to caffeine and sugar to give you a boost?
•  Do you feel tired and irritated with those around you?
•  Are reading and watching movies your cue to falling asleep?
•  Are you so hyped up at night that it is difficult to fall asleep?
•  Do you feel listless, depressed, or emotionally numb?

Now that you have established that many of the symptoms you are feeling are ‘normal’ for adrenal dysfunction, we can now work together to see what the options are available to putting you back on the pathway to achieving adrenal health. With so many natural treatment options so easily accessible, why don’t we look at some of the options that can help restore your energy, balance your adrenal output and get you on the road to feeling like yourself again.

How herbs benefit your body

There are many new natural modalities that have come to light when it comes to restoring your energy levels and supporting your adrenal functions instead of depleting them. For thousands of years man had predominately lived on a diet using our natural resources – plants. With this in mind the properties of plants have been used as a source of healing either in its whole-food form or in standardized extracts and supplements. This process is called Phytotherapy and now with evidence-based research, we are able to back up the benefits of phytotherapy treatment.

Extensive research carried out in the in the US and across the world has established that the herb Eleuthero (aka “Siberian ginseng”) contains anti-fatigue and anti-stress properties that help to support the adrenal glands. Swedish researchers in 2009, found that there are certain molecules which are released by the adrenal glands to protect the body against physical and emotional stress. These same molecules are found in Eleuthro and by introducing these “molecular chaperones” to the body, we are able to help treat and repair damaged proteins during times of intense physical demand. The added benefit is that by taking Siberian Ginseng we are also able to improve our tolerance to stress and allows for less physical destruction. Furthermore, a research team in Australia demonstrated how Eleuthero inhibits the binding of stress hormones to their receptors.

Adrenal depletion can drain the entire body

As our stress levels reduce the functionality of our adrenal glands, so it affects other functions in our body. Other than their primary role in dealing with stress, your adrenal glands:

•  Maintain the balance of over 50 hormones in your body
•  Manage stress and sex hormones as well as a number of other hormones which they are able to synthesize
•  Assist in regulating blood pressure and our heart rate
•  Assist in balancing blood sugar levels
•  Quiets inflammation throughout the body –
•  Support nervous system function (behavior, mood, , memory, clear thinking)

As you can see, the adrenal glands are so intimately intertwined with our physiological and emotional well-being that we need to heed what our bodies are telling us. By understanding our bodies and the role that these ‘little glands’ play, there is no reason for us to suffer from weight gain, fuzzy thinking, insomnia, severe fatigue, thyroid disorders, and accelerated aging. For more on the connection between adrenals and thyroid, see our articles on hypothyroidism in menopause.

The good news is there is much that can be done. Advances in science are uncovering new understandings all the time. Recent research has shown that Eleuthero, a medicinal plant in the form of Siberian Ginseng, bolsters the immune system, aids with inflammation and boosts clarity of mind. It has also been found to help in nervous system function, assists in regulating blood sugar levels, and there is thought that it may benefit bone remodeling by increasing the amount of a hormone called osteocalcin in the blood.

With so many of my patients who although adept at multitasking are completely overworked and highly stressed, they have found relief and benefit from using adaptogenic herbs such as Eleuthero and other supplements. Unfortunately we live in an age where the expectation is one of immediate results and gratification. If this is not achieved the natural assumption is that the therapy is in fact not working. Sometimes we have to exercise patience and belief in what has been recommended by our health practitioner.

Phytotherapy and mineral supplementation are very gentle remedies and take time for your body to absorb and feel the benefits. Remember that we are all different and therefore one may have to try a number of options until you find the right one that works for you. Thank goodness the plant world is so diverse which means that there will be something available to help you – don’t give up!

Adrenal imbalance – suggested supplements

Western medicine has been taking its time recognizing the importance of adrenal health—but Eastern cultures have always given the adrenals their due time in the spotlight. When it comes to conventional medicine they have been focusing on acute adrenal-related conditions, like Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome, which are not exceedingly common. However, more sensitive testing will show a trend toward one end of the spectrum that, though not an illness, may point to vulnerability. My goal is to have you look deeper and start at a place where we view food as medicine.

It is also important to think about using a number of safe and supportive herbs and supplements in your daily regimen. Below is a list of some of the herbs that I have used to treat my patients. When you are attempting to try a more holistic and natural route of medication, it is important to listen to your body, and to monitor your growth as you experiment with a natural approach as we all react differently to therapeutic agents. If you find that you are having a reaction to the herbs or are sensitive modify your dosage or consider working with an experienced herbalist.

Herbalists and many other alternative practitioners rely on herbal medicine, which happens to be the basis for many prescription drugs. Herbal remedies can take the form of teas, tinctures, oils, creams, and pills. Many herbs can be poisonous or interact dangerously with prescription drugs, so it is best to use them only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

•  Astragalus root (A. membranaceus). Your body has a natural ability to adapt to stress, but sometimes this is not enough. Astragalus boosts your bodies capabilities to handle stress, gives your immune system a healthy boost, regulates normal blood sugar levels and alleviate insulin resistance.
•  Cordyceps (C. sinensis). An antioxidant fungus, Cordyceps can slowdown the aging process, supports your the immune system, assists in inflammation and helps to stabilize your blood sugar levels.
•  Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus, also known as Siberian ginseng). As discussed before, Eleuthero is an adaptogenic herb helps to protect our bodies from the debilitating effects of stress, reduces fatigue, assists in clarity of memory aids in balancing blood sugar levels, and even perhaps supporting bone remodeling as well.
•  Rhodiola rosea (“golden root”). Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb that protects against stress-related fatigue and ultimate“burnout”, increases mental clarity, supports the immune system and assists in balancing blood sugar regulation. An added benefit of Rhodiola is it’s antidepressant and antianxiety effects.
•  Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Licorice Root is well known for helping support adrenal balance as well as energy levels and endurance. Although many herbs do not have many restrictions with their use or dosage, there are certain forms of licorice which are known to increase blood pressure and lower one’s potassium levels in the body. So be cautious to check your blood pressure when using it.

(Images courtesy of GNU Free Documentation License).

As a holistic and functional medical practitioner, I have found the strengths in using diverse forms of intervention.. I believe that each health professional has their own unique expertise and whether one consults with a herbalist, naturopath, or functional medicine practitioner – it is all about you and finding the solution that is going to work best for your condition. Many times it may require you seeing multiple practitioners.

I’ve borrowed this phrase from healer and best-selling author Caroline Myss because I think it sums up so beautifully the other key factor behind adrenal dysfunction. No matter how disciplined we are about cleaning up our diet, taking our nutritional supplements, and getting regular exercise, if we don’t attend to the emotional piece of the puzzle, our adrenal symptoms won’t go away. The phrase that Caroline uses often is “Our biography becomes our biology “ if we do not pay attention.

Real support

We have become used to living in a world where there seems to be a solution for everything. Advertisers have led us to believe that we can expect immediate results and we’ve been brainwashed into believing that one-size-fits-all is the answer to our problems. It’s important to remember that phytotherapy isn’t a magic bullet, either. What it offers us is an additional source that will provide us with an extra energy and support as we make the necessary steps towards healing the adrenals. However, in order to have optimal adrenal gland functionality we need to be honest with ourselves to acknowledge and address the root causes of stress in our lives.

I am reminded of a patient whose toddler son was admitted into hospital after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Upon release he needed care 24/7 which left my patient sleep deprived and depressed. She also began to notice that her elevated blood sugar levels were entering into a pre-diabetes danger zone.

After intense discussion and evaluation of what was happening in her life and body, I recommended that she start with a combination herbal/mineral supplement. Very soon she started to feel much better but unfortunately her new sense of well-being tipped her overboard. She felt so invigorated that she joined a gym, took on more responsibilities at work and at home, and started writing a book! Now you may say this was amazing and wonderful, which it is but what she needed to understand was that the herbal support was just one piece to healing her adrenals. Even though you may feel infinitely better after starting phytotherapy, true adrenal health comes from creating conditions that sustain not just physical health but emotional and spiritual wellness, too.

All of these realizations can lead us on a path of discovery, understanding what our problems are and how or what can we do to change – to learn new ways of “being”. This does not mean that one has to undergo a radical change but rather by taking baby steps one can make one small change at a time. I understand that this sounds a lot easier than it actually is but I would like introduce you to a few changes that you can make to your lifestyle that will ensure a full adrenal recovery:

Modify your exercise. There are many benefits to regular exercise and although it may be difficult at first to get going, many of my patients marvel at how well they feel after a workout. If this is you, stick with it. However, some people will feel absolutely exhausted and their energy levels depleted. If this is the case then one needs to slowly introduce exercise into your daily life. Mornings are best for aerobic exercise because this is when your cortisol is naturally highest, but try not to let your heart rate go above 90 beats per minute. If aerobics are not for you, then find something that is not so demanding like a relaxing walk, yoga, or any kind of exercise that restores you instead of draining you.

Eat often and well. In the past I have written extensively on how to support your adrenal glands by eating the correct foods. Nothing is more discouraging than being disciplined about your eating plan and not losing the weight you’d like—only because you aren’t appropriately supporting your adrenal-friendly food choices with healthy lifestyle and exercise choice. By eating certain foods, and at specific times of the day can help you return to a natural cortisol rhythm thus avoiding the “crash and burn” of the peaks and valleys of sugar and caffeine. One point that I have always stressed is that a body that is allowed to be hungry places a huge strain on the adrenals and therefore it becomes absolutely vital not to miss meals or let too much time pass between meals or a snack.

Relieve stress. If you can find a way to quiet your mind periodically, you can release an enormous amount of stress. One of the most wonderful ways to quiet your mind is through meditation. Meditation offers many health benefits, improving blood pressure, circulation, and heart health; and it also supports mood, self-confidence, and relaxation. Even just five minutes a day of quiet breathing or meditation can do wonders for your adrenals. Create ‘me time’ and be kind to yourself. Find things that are going to make you feel relaxed like going for a massage or ask your partner to massage your feet or head. The practice of yoga, t’ai chi or qi gong is non-invasive, but smooth and tranquil. When was the last time you put your feet up with a cup of tea or had an extended phone call just to talk? Look at the things that you feel will best relieve tension and stress and follow this path.

Play. We so often take on responsibilities or agree to do things that require a lot of your time or just drain your energy. We need to learn to say no and take on things that are fulfilling and satisfying. Step out of your box and have fun – meet up with friends that you haven’t seen for a while, spend time with your family, take your grandchildren to a movie, go to the beach – the list is endless. Don’t feel guilty but rather embrace your new life and give yourself permission to do it during this time of healing.

Sleep. Get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night. The connection between lack of sleep and weight retention is clear – insufficient sleep stresses your body, chronic loss of sleep equals chronic stress and chronic stress means chronically high levels of cortisol, which encourages your body to hold on to every extra ounce of fat. If you regularly go with-out at least seven hours of good, restful sleep, you are going to find it nearly impossible to lose weight or even to maintain a healthy weight. Often as women we are so busy that we end up burning the candle at both ends. Try to go to bed at a reasonable hour as sleep is one of the magic remedies to restore your adrenal glands. Before going to sleep try having a herbal tea or consider a natural herbal supplement to help you relax and ease you into a peaceful sleep. Not always possible, but a short nap during can boost your energy levels.

Natural methods on how to get your energy back

The mind, emotions, and spirit have an enormous impact on the body. How we think and feel about ourselves and the world, and how we experience a spiritual connection, can make a huge difference when it comes to healing the body. If we’re prisoners of our past, responding with amygdala-driven impulsiveness to replay the same panic, anxiety, sorrow, or anger that colored our past, our bodies will find it far more difficult to heal. But if we learn to reprogram our emotional responses, our bodies can begin to shake off the burdens of the past. How exciting and empowering is that? Just by the choices we make each day about what we eat and how we live, we can alter the way our genes express themselves and create our own good health.

Climb off the rollercoaster and shrug off the idea that you have to do more and that enough is never enough. Be kind to yourself and do what you can instead of keeping your energy levels up by relying on sugar, carbs, and caffeine to make it through the day. And you certainly don’t have to feel so tired and miserable anymore. Help is on the way! Why not support your adrenal glands by trying some of the natural herbal options that are available to boost your energy. It is important for you to take control so as to not exacerbate future health issues but to rather adopt a path that will lead to adrenal health and lifelong balance.

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by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

One of my patients recently said to me “I’m so tired of being tired!” and “I’m so tired of talking about being tired!” and “I’m tired of saying I wish I had the energy to…”  Then through teary eyes she asked “What’s wrong with me?”. This patient is like so many I’ve seen recently – women do so much today – have more responsibilities than ever before – most are busy from the time they get up until the time they go to bed with little, if any, time built in for self-care. No wonder women feel tired! By the time many seek help, they just want to feel better – some are not even interested in getting to the root cause.

All of my patients breathe in a sigh of relief when I assure than that as long as other major health issues are ruled out, we can absolutely have them feeling vibrant and full of energy.

I usually recommend a series of simple tests for patients who come to me with these symptoms. These tests evaluate cortisol and DHEA levels as well as stress markets. At Women to Women we find that the results are astonishingly consistent – less that 25% have cortisol levels which indicate healthy adrenal function, while more than 75% show impaired adrenal function – there are women who are wake up feeling tired and without any increase in energy throughout the day, there are women who wake up with very high energy levels (sometimes even before the sun rises) but who can’t stay awake after 3pm and then there are those who can’t seem to wake up in the morning, but are wide awake at 2am. This wide spectrum of adrenal function is a pattern I’ve seen for many years with women – its known as adrenal dysfunction.

Adrenal dysfunction tells us that the adrenal glands are either under producing or overproducing stress hormones. The effects can be baffling and concerning for women – a feeling of weakness, overwhelming fatigue, immune system weakness, moodiness or depression, insulin resistance, muscle and bone less, hormone imbalance, hair loss, autoimmune disorders, and many other health concerns.

Our adrenal glands help us to have a healthy – sometimes lifesaving – stress response, which wasn’t designed to last very long.

These two walnut shaped glands are located on top of our kidneys where they act as small centers of hormone production. The very innermost section of each gland produces adrenaline and noradrenaline. The adrenal cortex, the layers outside the center, produces the hormones DHEA, cortisol and our sex hormones – estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Our adrenal gland’s primary purpose is to give us the energy we need when facing a threatening situation – the ‘flight or fight’ response is often used as an example. When this happens, our adrenals immediately increase production of adrenaline and cortisol. This causes our heart rates to increase, our metabolism and digestion to slow down, and our senses to sharpen. We need all of these systems supported during times of intense, immediate stress – and these amazing glands respond to every kind of stress – emotional, psychological, physical, environmental, even infectious! When we have chronic, unrelenting stress, our adrenals don’t give up on us! They keep producing what we need – and the domino effect in our body begins. Fatigue, weight gain, moodiness, hormone imbalance, thyroid imbalance and irritability may follow.

Our adrenals were designed to override other body functions – and they were designed to push and pump stress hormones non-stop!

To understand how adrenal imbalance develops, it is helpful to consider the original, evolutionary function of the adrenal glands. The adrenals are walnut-sized glands located on top of each kidney, where they serve as important manufacturing centers for many of the body’s hormones. The innermost section of each gland produces adrenaline (which you may know as epinephrine), and noradrenaline (also called norepinephrine). The layers outside the center, called the adrenal cortex, produce several other hormones, including cortisol, as well as DHEA, and the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Along with several other key responsibilities, your adrenal glands’ primary purpose is to help you survive in the face of a threat, rallying all your body’s resources into “fight or flight” mode by increasing production of adrenaline and cortisol. Healthy adrenals instantaneously increase your heart rate and blood pressure, release your energy stores for immediate use, shut down digestion and other secondary functions, and sharpen your senses. But since they are programmed to respond to every kind of stress — physical, emotional, perceived, psychological, environmental, infectious, or any combination of these — a woman under chronic stress can strain her adrenal glands. Stress comes not only from a dramatic life event, but lack of sleep, financial worries, chronic dieting, infection, digestive issues, reliance on stimulants such as alcohol or caffeine, unresolved emotional issues and other worries or concerns. When the adrenals are chronically overextended, she can end up with issues like thyroid imbalance, weight gain, insomnia and severe fatigue.

Let’s emphasize two points about this healthy stress response. First, it takes priority over all other metabolic functions. Second, it wasn’t designed to last very long. It is important to remember that the hormone cortisol converts fats and proteins into energy – just what we need during those stressful times! But prolonged high levels of cortisol are actually damaging to your body. Digestion, metabolism and mental clarity are impaired, normal cell regeneration and healing slow down, healthy muscle and tissue are compromised, healthy endocrine function and immune function are compromised, and hormone production is impacted.

The cumulative effect of high cortisol levels can take a toll on even the healthiest of bodies. We’ve talked about fatigue, weight gain and sleep issues – but there are other symptoms, too. Adrenal imbalance may also be a factor in depression, fibromyalgia, arthritis, hypo-thyroidism, hair loss and acne.

I’ve helped patients thousands of patients regain healthy adrenal function. There are four easy steps to start with – things you can do every day – addressing the root causes of your adrenal imbalance.

Before you get started, it is important to rule out the possibility of any serious underlying medical condition – have a full medical exam to rule out this concern.

To start healing your adrenals, eat regularly and choose your foods wisely! Make every bite count – choose nutrient rich foods, ones which haven’t been processed and do not contain sugar. Blood sugar spikes and drops create stress for your body. I encourage my patients to eliminate gluten from their diets as well. Eat five to six times a day and include protein, a complex carb and high quality fat every time you eat. A healing body needs good nourishment!

Build in time to get more rest! Now’s a good time to commit to getting seven to nine hours sleep a night. Practice good sleep hygiene – create an environment that welcomes a good nights’ sleep. Turn off all electronics an hour before bed – allow your mind to slowly unwind and your body will follow!

Think about what causes your stress and think about ways to put some stress reduction measure in place. For some, this may mean taking on less…for some others it may mean setting aside time each day to problem solve. Some women find that exercising helps – the hormones which are released during exercise help many women feel better, but some of my patients report that the focused time during exercise gives them the time and uninterrupted attention to think about potential solutions to their stressors!

I urge you to consider talking a high quality multi-vitamin to close any gaps in your nutritional needs. Its more difficult that that ever before to get all the nutrients our bodies need from our daily diets. A body healing needs support – a multi-vitamin rich in vitamins and minerals combined with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement – also known as fish oil – are great building blocks to start with.

In most cases women report feeling better in a few weeks and return to feeling ‘like themselves’ in just a few months. In some instances, women may require more support such as low dose compounded DHEA or other herbs. I urge you to work with a practitioner if you feel you may need more support – some of the more advanced treatments can have adverse interaction if not used properly.

Our bodies have an amazing ability to heal when given the right support! Regaining your energy, your clarity and your vitality is a must!

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by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

Our internal clocks can be disrupted by ongoing stress of almost any kind – and women today have ongoing stress of all kinds.

In times of chronic unrelenting stress, women can experience adrenal dysfunction and eventually become cortisol dominant. High cortisol can actually change our normal sleep cycling and reduce the amount of restorative (REM) sleep you experience.

One of the first things to do is to look at what is really causing stress in your life – is it a family member? Too much to do in a day? Chronic dieting? Your job? Sometimes writing things down help bring them into your awareness and then you can start to problem solve.

The good news is the that once you have identified this type of insomnia pattern, there are steps you can take to restore your normal rhythm! Remember that insomnia is a symptom of what else is going on in your life.

• Eat well! I recommend that women eat three meals and two snacks per day. This helps keep blood sugar levels stable – putting less of a burden on your body. Consider reducing or eliminating sugar, caffeine and alcohol from your diet.

• Exercise mindfully. If you don’t exercise, consider starting a regime so that your body feels physically tired. Pick something you enjoy – walking, dancing, biking, yoga – anything that feels good to you!

• Consider adrenal testing. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional.

• Try herbs and nutrients that support sleep naturally. Taking a magnesium and calcium supplement before bed can be very helpful for some women. Chamomile, valerian and passion flower have been used for a long time to support sleep.

• Establish a bedtime routine. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day – and remember that we need seven to nine hours sleep a night. Turn off all electronics at least one hour before bed.

While insomnia can be frustrating for many women, there are ways to regain your sleep – try some of our easy steps. You may be surprised at the difference just a change or two makes!

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by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN, NP

Chronic stress is a major culprit in women’s lives, contributing to ongoing cycles of fatigue, poor nutrition, waves of exhaustion, mood swings, and hormonal imbalance. When I ask my patients what they think is the reason for their symptoms, their answers have one common thread:  too much responsibility that is impossible to manage. Trying to help themselves through each day, many women find themselves overloading on caffeine, sugary snacks, alcohol, and even sleep aids to manage stress, all of which can disrupt our body’s normal rhythms.

Research shows that when we experience chronic stress, our adrenal glands, or the tiny glands that moderate the stress response as well as regulate other hormones, will suffer. The adrenals, which are the size of walnuts, have an enormous job. They produce many hormones that regulate our body’s functioning, including cortisol, a hormone activated when our stress levels rise, signaling our body to enter a heightened state of emergency. But high cortisol levels are intended to be short term, not remain elevated. Since our adrenals do not know the difference between stressors, they can continue to work hard to do their jobs, whether we are stressed due to a true emergency or are simply stressed out.

When our cortisol levels stay elevated, it interferes with many functions in our body, including immune function, digestion, sleep, and even the ability to produce other essential hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones. This can lead to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and inflammation. In the meantime, our health is compromised, along with our moods, and even our sex drive.

When the adrenal glands continue to be compromised long term, they have a decreased ability to produce cortisol, and instead produce extra adrenaline, causing us to feel irritable, shaky, lightheaded, and anxious. Adrenal fatigue is a syndrome that can, over time, cause low blood pressure, allergies, and pure exhaustion.

These issues, although very concerning, can also be relieved when adrenal dysfunction is healed. And the good news is, it can be healed. Along with decreasing chronic stress, adjusting our emotional responses to stressors, and changing what, when and how we eat, we can reverse adrenal fatigue. Let’s take a look at some of the dietary approaches we can utilize to not only support our adrenals, but also improve our energy and promote better sleep.

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First:  Time Your Meals and Snacks

When we go for long periods without food, our adrenal glands work hard to release more cortisol and adrenaline, to try to maintain the body’s normal functioning. When our blood sugar dips for extended periods, this creates a stress reaction, taxing the adrenals. It’s important to know that our body always needs energy, even when we are sleeping. Cortisol works to moderate blood sugar in between meals and at night, so regulating our cortisol levels by eating timely, healthy meals and snacks is key.

Cortisol levels follow our natural circadian rhythm. It begins to rise around 6 am, peaks around 8 am, and then throughout the day naturally rises and falls as needed. It tapers off at night, and reaches its lowest levels while we are sleeping.

Timing our meals, and how much we eat, can help regulate cortisol and its natural cycle. Eating larger meals earlier in the day naturally helps support cortisol levels, while eating smaller, lighter meals at the end of the day helps maintain hormonal balance.

by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

So many women come to see me suffering from overwhelming fatigue, sleep disruptions, fuzzy thinking, and irritability, inability to cope with stress, recurrent infections and low libido. Many women have seen healthcare practitioner after healthcare practitioner only to be told that there’s nothing that can be done to make them feel better. Many health care practitioners don’t acknowledge adrenal dysfunction.

Adrenal fatigue is recognized in many parts of the world, here in the US there has been much skepticism in the conventional medical world. Man physicians seem to want to point to other health issues such as hypothyroidism, depression and fibromyalgia which can cause similar symptoms to adrenal dysfunction.

Testing that conventional doctors use look only at the very extremes of adrenal imbalance. These two extremes – Cushing’s syndrome in which the body produces excessive levels of cortisol, and Addison’s disease which occurs when cortisol production is deficient- both require immediate medical intervention.

Unfortunately, many times if you your test results don’t fall within the specific test limits, its likely that you’ll be told your adrenal function is normal – even if you are very close. Sadly, sometimes credence isn’t given to the way a patient feels which can be a strong indicator of what is really going on.

In my practice, I find that saliva tests for adrenal function are more accurate. Women who come to me with symptoms of adrenal imbalance are tested to evaluate cortisol and DHEA levels and other metabolic tests to insure that there are no other health concerns present.

Out of the thousands of patients seen at Women to Women in the course of a year, less than 25% have cortisol levels which are consistent with healthy adrenal function. A resounding 75% plus have impaired function.

Tired of waking every morning tired? Or feeling the need for a nap by mid day? Its time to take back your life! Women to Women has the solution for you! Take our easy quiz to determine which product will best help you with your individual systems — and order today! Let this be one of the last days that you feel tired instead of energized!

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by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

Every day in my practice I talk with women about their health – so many different facets come up in conversation – the hot flashes associated with hormonal shifts, unwanted pounds, irregular periods, sleep disturbances, changes in libido, hair loss, fuzzy thinking, changes in energy – we talk about everything! Over the past few years I’ve noticed a trend – many, many more women are reporting fatigue, sometimes unrelenting fatigue, associated with sleep irregularities, changes in blood pressure, changes in thyroid, or even feeling ‘wired’ all the time…a feeling of not being able to slow down.

At Women to Women, we’ve long recognized these symptoms as potentially being associated with adrenal dysfunction. After testing to rule out other major medical concerns and testing adrenal function, we see an increasing trend with women – life is becoming increasingly stressful for women – the number of women who have total responsibility for a busy households is increasing, demands from family and children, financial demands, the constant flow of information with technological advances, the stressors from less than ideal nutrient intake along with environmental toxins which add to our body burden are taking their toll!

I’ve also noticed an increasing trend among endocrinologists – many are now starting to evaluate adrenal function. A recent New England Journal of Medicine article urged clinicians to become more aware of the predisposing factors which may lead to adrenal insufficiency. Most of these clinicians look at adrenal function as being compromised only when a patient is at either end of the spectrum – Cushing’s syndrome (also called hypercortisolism) is caused by long-term exposure to high amounts of the stress hormone cortisol, Addison’s disease (also called hypocortisolism) is a disorder where the adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol and other glucocorticoids. Patients with Cushing’s symptoms can feel irritable, anxious or depressed. They also may present some distinct features – a rounded mid-section, faces which are moon-like in shape and sometimes a fatty lump on the back of their necks.

Other symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome are: panic attacks, persistent anxiety, difficulty staying asleep, abdominal weight gain, feelings of inadequacy, difficulty winding down to get to sleep, feeling tired but unable to wind down, having a short temper and worsening PMS symptoms. With Addison’s disease patients may experience weak muscles, loss of appetite, cravings for salt, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, weight loss, feeling lightheaded especially when standing up quickly, worsening fatigue and patches of dark skin on skin folds, knuckles, elbows, knees or scars. Both of these extremes are very unusual and are seldom seen in clinical practice, but non the less they do exist. As you can see, Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease seem to be at complete opposite ends of the spectrum. As a functional medicine practitioner, I’m always asking the questions like, “how did this patient get on this road?” and “how could this have been prevented?”.

What I’ve come to understand is that adrenal imbalance symptoms can be treated long before developing full blown disease. Many of my patients tell stories about seeing well-intentioned practitioners who aren’t able to help them because conventional practitioners are only trained to treat the disease state – not the pathway leading to it. It is important to point out that we’ve seen this trend before with gluten sensitivity – for many years this was overlooked by conventional medicine unless the patient presented with full-blown celiac disease. Today, however, we are seeing a different understanding about gluten sensitivity and, I suspect, we’ll see this about adrenal function in the future as well.

There’s good news to share – you can take control of your adrenal health! You can make great improvements in your adrenal health by lowering your stress and focusing on quality nutrition. Some women may also want to include a dietary supplement to help with adrenal support. One patient puts it this way “I made a practice of eating well and managing my stress and everything else just fell into place!”. I don’t want to make it seem like these changes will make a difference in your life over night. But after working with thousands of women, it takes time for the changes to be seen – but it is possible and almost always happens when the right support is given.

We know that cortisol is released in higher amounts when we are under stress or anxious. Our adrenals can’t differentiate between types of stress – trying to meet a deadline at work, coping with a sick family member, financial concerns, a car breaking down, getting married and dieting – yes even dieting (think about how many women you know who are constantly dieting!) places stress on the body. When blood sugar and insulin are continuously on a rollercoaster due to eating irregularly or an intake of highly refined carbohydrates and sugar, your adrenals will produce cortisol in an attempt to level things out. Constant cortisol production can lead to the adrenal exhausted state of low cortisol. I’ve seen thousands and thousands of women turn their lives around by healing their adrenals and restoring balance in their bodies and their lives! Some patience and awareness is needed – but the end result will be worth it!

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by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

Signs and symptoms of adrenal imbalance

Every day a variety of stressors signal our adrenal glands to produce stress hormones. A wide range of physical and psychological demands like a stressful job, family responsibilities, relationship dynamics, lack of sleep, financial concerns, dieting and emotional distress trigger our adrenals to provide relatively small blasts of strength in the form of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. From waking us up with a little burst of energy in the morning, to keeping us awake, alert, and focused throughout the rest of the day, our adrenals are crucial to our health.

When our adrenal glands are constantly required to sustain high cortisol levels, they eventually become impaired in their ability to respond appropriately. The resulting dysfunction not only affects our short-term response to stress, but it also impairs our adrenals’ ability to produce and balance other hormones which are important to our long-term health and well-being: DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

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Symptoms of adrenal imbalance — an “aggravating pattern”

Symptoms are your body’s way of informing you that it’s not receiving the support it needs. While none of these features has a direct causal relationship with adrenal dysfunction on its own, a distinct “aggravating pattern” emerges when all these factors are taken into consideration. See if you recognize these tendencies in yourself:

Symptoms to look for:

• Blood pressure:  High or low blood pressure are signs to be aware of. Low blood pressure can often have the symptom of lightheadedness associated with it.

• Food cravings and weight changes:  Abnormal weight gain in the abdomen and thighs. Do you have cravings for salty or sugary foods, sometimes feeling uncontrollable?

• Energy:  Unable to stop, always on speed forward, ongoing fatigue, lack of stamina, feeling tired and wired much of the time. Lack of get up and go.

• Emotions and coping ability:  Inability to deal with day to day stress, feeling overwhelmed much of the time, struggling to get through the day, driven, having a very “short fuse”, anxiety attacks, and/or unable to reframe ones thinking.

• Thinking:  Mentally foggy, fuzzy thinking, inability to stay focused on one task, chronic racing thoughts.

• Immune response:  Frequent infections, taking a longer time than others to recover from illness or infections or trauma.

• Sleep:  Inability to fall asleep or falling asleep well but waking up nightly. Sleeping soundly but waking up exhausted.

• Hormones/Libido:  Worsening of perimenopausal symptoms, low libido, severe PMS.

Many other conditions can overlap the above noted signs and a symptom, so know that adrenal imbalance is not always the root cause.

Click here to take our Adrenal Health Assessment to check your symptoms.

Our Proven 30-Day Program For Overcoming Adrenal Fatigue And Feeling Fantastic  

Do you wake up every morning feeling tired, overwhelmed, and stressed? Are you constantly reaching for coffee, soda, or some other promise of energy just to keep yourself going? Do you struggle through the day – sluggish, irritable, forgetful, depressed, and craving sweets – only to have trouble sleeping at night?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you’re not alone. In fact, hundreds of thousands of women are fighting these same feelings as they strive to live the lives they want.

Is It Me or My Adrenals? – formerly titled Are You Tired and Wired? – gives you the knowledge and tools to overcome this epidemic of fatigue. In it, Marcelle Pick uncovers the root cause of these symptoms: adrenal dysfunction. In our modern lives, the adrenal glands, which provide the fight-or-flight hormones in response to stress, are triggered much more often than they should be. Everything from challenges at home and at work, to environmental toxins, to chronic health problems cause the adrenal glands to produce a constant flood of stress hormones that can ultimately lead to multiple health issues, especially severe fatigue.

The good news is that through diet, lifestyle adjustments, and reprogramming of stressful emotional patterns, this can all be fixed!

Pick helps you identify which of the three adrenal profiles you fit – Racehorse, Workhorse, or Flatliner – and then lays out an easy-to-follow, scientifically based program to help you restore adrenal balance, gear up your metabolism, and regain your natural energy to live a happier and less-stressed life.

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