Cortisol DHEA

Interstitial Cystitis: The Cortisol Connection

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 22:05:20 +0100

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is overwhelmingly more common in women than in men, with an epidemiologic incidence that is estimated to be as high as 510 per 100,000 women. The condition is characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, and pelvic pain. Not always localized to the pelvis and bladder, pain may occur in the lower back, vagina and lower abdomen and is often aggravated at the onset of menstruation as well as after intercourse.

Principally a diagnosis of exclusion, IC may have a profound impact on an afflicted individual's quality of life and may be associated with psychological disorders including depression and/or anxiety. IC is a poorly understood, chronic condition and its cause is unclear. The goal of treatment is generally to reduce pain and urinary frequency, and treatments may include multiple weeks of bladder instillations, stress management, anti-inflammatories, nerve stimulation, antidepressants, anticholinergic-antispasmodic agents and even surgery. Many individuals suffering from interstitial cystitis seek complimentary and alternative care including acupuncture, pelvic floor therapy and diet modification and hormone balancing.

You can support your suffering from IC by addressing adrenal health and diurnal cortisol levels. Cortisol, our body's own natural anti-inflammatory agent, is produced endogenously by the adrenal cortex and secreted in highest amounts in the morning with a gradual tapering of levels throughout the day.

Cortisol's anti-inflammatory nature assists in keeping chronic inflammation and pain at bay. Unfortunately alterations of this diurnal cortisol pattern, as seen in individuals with phase 1, 2 or 3 adrenal fatigue, may alter the body's ability to control inflammation, allowing chronic inflammatory conditions such as IC to ensue.

Research has demonstrated just how important optimal cortisol levels may be in controlling the symptoms associated with IC and findings indicate that diurnal cortisol patterns in IC patients may have significant treatment implications. IC patients with sub-optimal morning salivary cortisol levels less than 12.5 nmol/l were found to be over 12 times more likely to report urinary urgency than those patients with levels above 12.5 nmol/l! Patients with higher total daily free cortisol levels reported decreased overall symptomatology.

This information indicates that diurnal salivary cortisol testing can help you in developing a treatment plan for your IC. Boosting cortisol levels when necessary through nutritional, glandular or herbal support or with cortisol replacement therapy can help you gain long term relief from symptoms and lead to a pain-free and symptom-free life. Test now and treat right.

www.labrix.com
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References:

Susan K Lutgendorf, et.al. Diurnal Cortisol Variations and Symptoms in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis. The Journal of Urology. Vol 167, 1338-1334 March 2002
Joseph E Scherger, MD, MPH et al., Interstitial Cystitis 2007. via www.MDConsult.com

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Salivary Hormone Testing... Treating the Cause

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 03:25:36 +0100

Illness does not just happen out of the blue or in a vacuum. Illness occurs after a series of events have gone undetected and unaddressed. Symptoms often present as a series of silent screams and other times as audible shouts that all is not well. If we simply disconnected the wiring to the red light in our cars when our engines are over-heating...we will have gotten rid of the symptom...but not the problem. So it is with the body.

The underlying causes of disease must be discovered and corrected before a person will truly heal/recover from illness.

A comprehensive salivary panel (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, four timed cortisols) has the capacity to identify many conditions; estrogen dominance, estrogen deficiency, testosterone deficiency, insulin resistance, adrenal fatigue, and will also suggest sub-clinical hypothyroid . These conditions are the precursors to deeper and longer term illnesses when left un-identified and unaddressed cause disease. Imagine knowing that the engine in your car has increased risk for overheating before it actually heats up...so instead of a red light stating this has occurred... imagine identifying what parts of the engine need attention for preventative maintenance and optimal function first?

Building optimal health works better and more surely than fighting disease. Testing for hormone imbalance allows you to recognize the potential for disease before frank pathology sets in. For example, females who have elevated testosterone or DHEA, and males with suboptimal testosterone, are at risk for insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have "pre-diabetes," insulin and glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. These elevated insulin levels can trigger the rise in testosterone and DHEA in women, or fall in testosterone in men.

Many practitioners are looking for a more potent way to practice Medicine, beyond just treating symptoms. The study of integrative and preventative care has surged as a result. Partner with us; test now and treat right. This is how Healing happens.

www.labrix.com

Is Hypothyroidism Sabotaging your Weight Loss?

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Hormone imbalance can keep that scale from moving in the right direction

Hypothyroidism

Sometimes diet and exercise aren’t the sole answers to slimming away those unwanted pounds. The simple truth is that several common hormone imbalances can undermine even the most enthusiastic attempts at losing weight.

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common hidden culprits behind stubborn weight loss. Hypothyroidism means that your body doesn’t generate enough of the thyroid hormone. Your thyroid is considered

Adrenal Hormones : Cortisol DHEA

Tue, 24 May 2011 08:29:16 +0100

You may have heard about the adrenal glands, usually in a discussion about how your stress can effect the levels of the hormone cortisol. Yet, these two glands perched atop your kidneys are central to many functions in your body. They produce many hormones, not just cortisol. And they listen for and respond to several hormones produced by other glands within your endocrine system.

Would you be surprised to know that in addition to the hormone cortisol, your adrenal glands also produce aldosterone, glucocorticoids, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S), adrenaline, noradrenaline, and testosterone (yes, though most of the testosterone is produced by your gonads).

There is a lot to learn and know about your adrenal glands, especially when they produce too much or too little of any of its hormones. They can have an impact on your overall hormonal health.

Adrenal Fatigue and Allergies

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:06:39 +0100

While the blooming trees and colorful flowers popping up this time of year are beautiful, the pollen is also out in full force and affecting millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies. Many of us think of testing cortisol levels for fatigue or insomnia, but did you know your allergic reactions may also have an adrenal component?

Most allergies involve the release of histamine and other pro-inflammatory substances. Cortisol, one of the primary hormones produced by the adrenal glands, is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. In fact, the amount of cortisol circulating in the blood is a key factor in controlling the level of inflammatory reactions in the body. When we have a minor injury or a muscle strain, our body's inflammatory cascade is initiated, leading to swelling and redness as commonly seen when an ankle is sprained or when an insect bite is acquired. Cortisol is secreted as part of the anti-inflammatory response. Its objective is to remove and prevent excessive swelling and redness in nearly all tissues. These anti-inflammatory responses prevent things like mosquito bites from enlarging or bronchial tubes and eyes from swelling shut due to allergies. For this reason, proper adrenal function plays an important role in mediating the histamine release and inflammatory reactions that produce the symptoms experienced with allergies.

When the adrenals are fatigued they are less likely to produce enough cortisol to adequately counteract the inflammatory reactions, allowing allergic symptoms to continue unchecked. People going through times of adrenal fatigue may notice that they seem to have more allergies or their allergies seem to get worse. Conversely, when more histamine is released, it takes additional cortisol to control the inflammatory response, pushing the adrenal glands even harder. The more the adrenals have to work, the more fatigued they may become and the less cortisol they produce, allowing histamine to inflame the tissues more. This vicious cycle can lead to deepening adrenal fatigue as well as to bigger allergic reactions.

It is not surprising that people with food and environmental allergies often have low or suboptimal cortisol levels. Eliminating or reducing exposure to foods and environmental substances that cause allergic or sensitivity reactions can help break this cycle and strengthen adrenal function. Likewise, supporting optimal adrenal function will treat allergic symptoms.

If you suffer from allergies and inflammatory reactions, test your diurnal cortisol secretion to see how the adrenal glands may be playing a role in their overall health.

Ref: www.labrix.com

Hot Flash Relief

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:09:20 +0100

What is the most common symptom of menopause experienced by 75% of women at some point? Hot flashes. This pesky problem is attributed to estrogen withdrawal. As of the year 2000 there were approximately 37.5 million women reaching menopause; with the aging baby boomer population this number is only growing. With such a common symptom affecting such a large percentage of the world's population, it's no wonder research continues to focus on ways to gain relief.

Recent research into the efficacy of escitalopram (Lexapro), suggests it may cut the number of hot flashes experienced by postmenopausal women in half. Lexapro, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), was originally developed as a pharmaceutical treatment option for depression. This is not the first SSRI researched for hot flash relief, even so, the exact way in which Lexapro works to relieve hot flashes is not completely understood. It's pricy though. Women choosing this pharmaceutical for hot flash relief can expect a lofty price tag as the treatment runs approximately $110 per month.

During the menopausal transition, hot flashes are associated with a rise in the body's core temperature and a narrowing of the body's thermoneutral zone, with a decrease of the sweating threshold and an increase of the shivering threshold. Simply put, peri and menopausal women tend to run a bit warmer than pre-menopausal women with an increased tolerance for cold and a decreased tolerance for heat. These changes in the body's temperature regulation are associated with multiple fluctuations in hormones and the neurotransmitters that accompany menopause, including changes in estrogen, norepinephrine and serotonin.

So what is the connection? Well, in the brain, estrogen increases serotonin's ability to activate its receptors. Estrogen withdrawal during menopause causes decreased serotonin receptor sensitivity, resulting in multiple physiological changes including the temperature regulation changes that contribute to menopausal hot flashes. Although the use of an SSRI does not address the decreased serotonin receptor sensitivity associated with estrogen withdrawal, it does maintain higher levels of serotonin available for use by the receptors.

Known to be a symptom of low estrogen, a more commonly known treatment option for hot flash relief may be estrogen supplementation. In addition to providing relief from hot flashes, topical bioidentical estrogen supplementation may also be beneficial for optimal bone health. Supplementing estrogen by itself may increase the risk of estrogen-dependent cancers including uterine and breast cancer, thus it's important to balance estrogen therapies with progesterone supplementation. Baseline salivary hormone testing of estrogen and progesterone levels will demonstrate if a woman is deficient in estrogen and determine if she is estrogen dominant. Continued monitoring of her symptoms and hormone levels at regular intervals while participating in a bioidentical hormone supplementation program will ensure she is enjoying her peri and post menopausal years hot flash free.
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References: www.labrix.com

Holtorf K. The bioidentical hormone debate: are bioidentical hormones (estradiol, estriol, and progesterone) safer or more efficacious than commonly used synthetic versions in hormone replacement therapy? Postgrad Med. 2009 Jan;121(1):73-85.

Freeman EW, et al. Efficacy of escitalopram for hot flashes in healthy menopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2011 Jan 19;305(3):267-74.

Kusakabe, T., Deficient Cytochrome b5 Reductase Activity in Nontoxic Goiter with Iodide Organification Defect Metabolism. 24(10):1103-1113, 1975.

Hormone Summary Guide

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 03:21:59 +0100

Here is a quick summary of the most common hormones tested that might be useful as you build your testing program...
Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA, Cortisol, and Estriol.

DHEA: A Commonly Overlooked Hormone

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:49:02 +0100

A commonly overlooked hormone in our testing menu is DHEA. It is an often misunderstood, yet very important part of the whole hormonal picture and is a key player in achieving hormone balance.

What is DHEA and why is it important to test?

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is the most common steroid hormone in the body and is mainly produced by the adrenal glands, but smaller amounts are made elsewhere in the body. It is metabolized from pregnenolone and is a precursor to the sex hormones: namely testosterone, but also the estrogens. These features are why testing DHEA is a valuable part of dealing with hormone imbalance: the result will reflect how the adrenal glands are functioning, and a baseline DHEA level is important for dosing supplementation, as DHEA can raise testosterone and estrogen levels due to its precursor status. Female patients with low levels of DHEA and sex hormones having complaints of symptoms like low libido will be well served on DHEA, as they convert DHEA to testosterone more readily than men.

DHEA Involved in Regulation of Insulin, Cortisol, Bone Stimulation

While DHEA is often seen in applications and discussions of anti-aging and adrenal function issues, it has also been found to be involved in many other processes in the body. Studies have shown that DHEA displays significant positive results in areas such as the regulation of insulin, cortisol and immune activities, cardiovascular protection, anti-dementia, bone stimulation, antibacterial activities, energy, and well being.

The potential promise of future applications of this hormone is leaking into the mainstream and increasing awareness, although not always with the best outcome. A simple internet search yields hundreds of sites touting the “magical" properties of DHEA, especially the feature of improving one’s feeling of well being. What they don’t say, of course, is how unwise the unmonitored use of this hormone is. As mentioned above, it can raise estrogen levels. This is not something a patient should do on their own. Someone who is feeling “blue" and has perfectly normal levels of DHEA and testosterone may start supplementing with over the counter DHEA and create a whole new set of problems by throwing their hormones out of balance. It is important to look at the whole picture when treating hormone imbalances, and DHEA is a critical part of that process.

DHEA AND CORTISOL:

DHEA is often thought of as an adrenal hormone, which it is, however, DHEA is also made in the ovaries. When we measure DHEA we are eliciting information about both the adrenal glands and the ovaries. This is particularly important when DHEA levels are high. High levels of DHEA can mean that the adrenal glands are increasing DHEA production on response to stress or high glucose levels, or that the ovaries are increasing the production of DHEA as part of the PCOS cascade. High levels of DHEA are often seen years before a female develops metabolic syndrome and should be used as a risk factor marker for insulin resistance.

Low levels of DHEA are seen in evolving “Adrenal Gland Fatigue" (hypoadrenia). As acute stress becomes more chronic, the constant demand by the body for adrenal gland hormones begins to wear out the adrenal glands and DHEA and cortisol levels fall. It is for this reason that DHEA is often measured in combination with cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress and blood sugar levels. Cortisol secretion has a diurnal rhythm. Normal cortisol levels should be highest one hour after waking in the morning and drop gradually throughout the day. Measuring the diurnal rhythm with 4 cortisol levels throughout the day gives a very accurate measure of adrenal gland function and their ability to cope with stress. Adrenal fatigue occurs in stages. The stage at which a patient is at can be determined by looking at the diurnal cortisol graph and DHEA levels. Symptoms of evolving adrenal gland fatigue include fatigue, sleep issues, inability to cope with stress, anxiety, nervousness, irritability and allergies.

Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis (HPA) Dysregulation is due to chronic stress with the resultant excess cortisol production and down regulation of cortisol receptors in the hypothalamus. In other words the negative feedback loop that normally shuts down the production of ACTH release is blunted and cortisol production by the adrenal glands is uncontrolled. If this continues, hypoadrenia always evolves. The symptoms of HPA and hypoadrenia are essentially identical but salivary testing easily distinguishes the two. This is crucially important as treatment of each can be very different.

Measuring cortisol and DHEA levels will also diagnose complex diseases such as Addison’s Disease and Cushing’s Syndrome. Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and DHEA. The disease is also called adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism. It has however, no relationship to end stages of “adrenal gland fatigue" described above. The two illnesses have very different mechanisms of action. Most cases of Addison’s disease are caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex. Symptoms include chronic fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, and hyperpigmentation of the skin.

Cushing’s Syndrome results in excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Symptoms include rapid weight gain of face, trunk and back of neck, hirsutism, depression, anxiety and panic attacks.

Hair, Hair, it's Everywhere - Some Have a Little, Some Have Lots

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:49:31 +0100

Excess body hair growth (hirsutism), and an increase of hair loss on the scalp (androgenic alopecia) are often associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is one of the most common female endocrine disorders affecting approximately 5-10% of women of reproductive age. Both hirsutism and baldness in women with PCOS can be due to elevated levels of testosterone. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which directly stimulates the hair follicle to grow. Body hair grows in response to DHT much more so than does head hair. In the case of baldness, the head hairs are actually sensitive to too much DHT and male-pattern balding is the result.

If women have excess testosterone or other androgens such as DHEA, the very fine body hairs will turn into coarse, dark hairs on the abdomen growing toward the navel and on the face in a beard and mustache pattern. If they have a genetic predisposition to baldness and the androgens are high enough, balding results. Therefore in PCOS with elevated androgens, most women have increased body and facial hair growth and some of them also have balding if they are genetically predisposed.

Testosterone is converted to DHT by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. In order to affect hair growth then, the mechanisms to consider would be to:

Decrease the amount of testosterone produced by the ovaries and/or adrenal glands
Impair the action of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme.

Insulin resistance is widely considered to be the etiology of PCOS. As insulin levels rise and/or cells become less responsive to the insulin present in the blood stream, the female body raises testosterone levels in an attempt to move excess glucose and insulin into the cells. Thus, managing the body's metabolism of and response to insulin will help to decrease androgen levels. This can be accomplished by eating a low glycemic index diet and following a regular exercise program, as well as utilizing the help of glucose lowering supplements. Metformin is a commonly used pharmaceutical that can lower glucose and insulin levels, and thus testosterone levels.

A second approach to managing hirsutism and androgenic allopecia in women is to utilize a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Conventional drugs such as finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) are commonly used to slow the conversion of testosterone to DHT. However, there are alternatives to pharmaceuticals. Transdermal Progesterone can slow the conversion to DHT, as can the herbs Saw Palmetto, Nettles root or Green Tea.

It is important to note that insulin resistance in older women causes the same elevation in androgen levels that we see in younger women with PCOS. Elevated testosterone and/or DHT levels in women past reproductive age is simply called insulin resistance, or if multiple metabolic risk factors are present, Metabolic Syndrome.
If hirsutism or male pattern baldness are problems , consider salivary hormone testing to identify androgen levels.

Oh, Yes, You Can feel Better

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:10:56 +0100

“What do you mean hormone imbalance symptoms may happen so insidiously that women might not even know they are suffering needlessly? What kind of symptoms do they have? When does it happen?”

When I was asked these questions this morning, I took pause and really reflected on the ones that tend to sneak up on you – the ones that might leave you totally unaware. The ones that when finally addressed give you such energy and enthusiasm that many women simply become euphoric. Women who lost a part of themselves and didn’t even know when it showed up missing.

It happens oh, so slowly that you just assume it is because you are getting older. It is not until the neon light-life halting problems strike that you seek help in desperation.

What happens so subtly, so slowly over time?

One of the most subtle of symptoms is the feeling of being tired, fatigued, worn out, no energy, exhausted, just not as much enthusiasm as you once had. You feel old and flat. It takes so much more energy to trudge up those stairs. You don’t feel like playing with the kids or grandkids. You’d rather put on that comfy robe and sit in your chair.

The second is a feeling of depression. There is a feeling of sadness that invades your life. The zest for living is just not there. You shuffle through your days in the hope that things might be better tomorrow. Tomorrow comes, and it is more of the same. You know it’s not right, but you may feel too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about it. If you do, you can pretty much count on a prescription for an antidepressant. But why do you feel this way? When did this happen?

The third is the infernal inability to sleep – night after night. You are so exhausted. Surely you will sleep tonight. It has been so many nights since you last slept. In fact, how long has it been since you’ve had a good night’s rest? Can you remember? You might lay there, totally exhausted, but not able to fall asleep. You might fall asleep, but sure enough, there you are awake once again in the middle of the night. You do all the things the books say to make you sleep – and nothing works.

What if I told you that all these effects might be happening to you not because you are getting older? What if I told you there’s a very good chance you can invigorate your life, sleep at night, and feel fabulous and energized?

Well you can. It all starts with what I call the LOVE Method that can be found in my book Stop the Needless Suffering, The Complete Woman’s Guide to Balancing Your Hormones Naturally. See www.RosieBrownRN.com.

Stop the Needless Suffering tells you exactly how to:

L – Learn All You Can

O – Obtain Help (From a health care practitioner knowledgeable in bioidentical hormone balancing – which includes the sex hormones, the adrenal glands, and the thyroid)

V – Validate with Data (how and where to obtain testing to see what your lab values are)

E – Engage in an Action Plan that is Right for You

The bottom line to this discussion?

Oh, yes, you can feel better!

Stop the Needless Suffering

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:59:08 +0100

Rosie Brown thought her life was over. Not only did she suffer from continuous hot flashes and night sweats, she was totally exhausted. Years of insomnia and hormonal changes had taken its toll. Though a nurse for 30 years, she knew nothing about natural hormone balancing.

Then one day, a flyer she found in a health food store changed her life forever...and what she learned can change yours, too." Stop the Needless Suffering" reveals everything you need to break free and turn back the hands of time. Not only is a vibrant body waiting for you, so is the life you were meant to live. Discover how Rosie's LOVE Method will bring vitality, balance, and joy into your life!

Rosie Brown is not alone. Every day thousands of women resort to synthetic drugs and surgery to relieve hormone imbalance symptoms. You do not have to be one of them! Find out for yourself how you can feel vital and vibrant, with freedom to live with vitality for the rest of your life. No matter your age, this book gives you the blueprint to awaken a whole new vivacious you!

Visit Rosie and find out more.....

Cortisol, Stress and Adrenal Fatigue

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:47:37 +0100

If you have recently gone through a major event in your life, your adrenal glands may be severely fatigued. While this is not a new condition, the onset of adrenal fatigue often occurs because of major stressors such as financial pressures, emotional stress, smoking, drugs, poor eating habits, high intake of sugar and white flour products, and infections. Many medical practitioners have not been familiar with adrenal fatigue as a distinct "condition" and as a result, people suffer because they are not properly diagnosed or treated.

After experiencing many of these events over a long period of time, the adrenal glands tend to produce less cortisol, the body's master stress hormone. Cortisol’s main function in the body is to enable the body to handle stress and maintain the immune system, The struggle of the adrenal glands to meet cortisol production is what eventually leads to adrenal fatigue.

You might be experiencing some common symptoms of adrenal fatigue:

Morning fatigue -- You don't really seem to "wake up" until 10 a.m., even if you've been awake since 7 a.m.
Afternoon "low" (feelings of sleepiness or clouded thinking) from 2 to 4 p.m.
Burst of energy at 6 p.m.-- You finally feel better from your afternoon lull.
Sleepiness at 9 to 10 p.m.-- However, you resist going to sleep.
"Second wind" at 11 p.m. that lasts until about 1 a.m., when you finally fall asleep.
Cravings for foods high in salt and fat
Mild depression
Decreased ability to handle stress
Increased allergies
Lightheadedness when getting up from a sitting or laying down position
Decreased sex drive
Frequent sighing

Adrenal Fatigue and Health Practitioners

These days alternative health practitioners are beginning to recognize the extensive condition of adrenal fatigue, also known as Hypoadrenia. In mainstream medicine, doctors are hard-pressed to diagnose adrenal fatigue unless patients meet the criteria for Addison’s disease (extremely little adrenal function) or Cushing's disease (hyper adrenal).

What To Do?

Saliva testing is the most accurate way to find your cortisol and adrenal levels. Saliva cortisol testing usually includes the sex hormones and is the most accurate test because it shows the rhythm of cortisol production and how much cortisol is present that the body can actually use. Blood tests only show bound cortisol which gives no indication if that cortisol is actually available to enter the tissues. The Canary Club offers the Advanced Plus Hormone Panel which tests adrenal and reproductive levels.

A more in depth picture of adrenal fatigue (even overlooked,at times, by integrative practitioners):

Asthma,Bronchitis or Chronic cough : people with lung problems, especially asthma and bronchitis should be checked for low adrenal function. The lungs cannot respond appropriately to stress, allergens etc because of lack of cortisol. Asthma is often considered an emotional disease because stress can trigger an attack. Treat the adrenals properly so the body can respond normally to stress and the asthma symptoms can lessen. and the condition will be much improved.
Allergies: As the adrenal function decreases, allergies tend to worsen. Generally, if the adrenal glands are functioning properly, the body would not respond to the allergen. This same anti-inflammatory effect is important in asthma as well. As the adrenal glands heal, allergies are markedly reduced.
Chronic infections: Severe and/or recurrent infections (especially respiratory) often indicate adrenal problems. The more severe, the more frequently it occurs or the longer it lasts, the more likely adrenal fatigue is involved.
Muscle weakness and back pain: When the adrenal glands are malfunctioning, there tends to be a weakness in one or more muscles leading to low back pain. In persons with adrenal fatigue, low back pain is frequently caused by instability of the pelvis rather than an actual back problem. These same two muscles also attach to the knee and help provide support. Weakness will cause knee pain, weakness and instability of the joint. Any person with knee problems should be checked for adrenal fatigue. The other 3 muscles mentioned stabilize the feet and ankles. Weakness of any of these muscles leads to complaints of tired, aching feet, weak ankles or aching calves. The symptoms related to the muscle weakness will improve when the adrenal glands are treated.
Sleep disturbances: Cortisol production follows a curve from highest levels around 8am, dropping throughout the day until the lowest levels are reached about 11pm. In early stages of adrenal fatigue the body compensates with high night time cortisol. In this case the person finds it difficult to relax from the stress of the day and has trouble going to sleep. High night-time cortisol results in reduced REM sleep which is neither restful nor restorative. This can lead to depression and reduced energy levels the next day. In later stages of adrenal fatigue, the body may produce adrenaline ("fight or flight" hormone) in an attempt to compensate for low cortisol.
Dizziness: When a person stands from a sitting or lying position, the systolic blood pressure usually rises about 10 points as blood vessels in the lower body constrict to force blood to the heart, lungs and brain. This is a result of the action of epinephrine on the blood vessels. In people with adrenal fatigue, the blood vessels are unable to respond to the release of epinephrine(adrenaline) because of lack of cortisol, so blood pools in the abdomen and pelvis and blood pressure drops. This systolic drop ranges from 10 to 40 points and is present in over 90% of those with hypoadrenia. Dizziness is usually present on standing; however, in some people it is present intermittently or constantly throughout the day as even resting blood pressure is low. Paradoxically, in order to prevent pooling of blood in the abdomen and lower extremities, the body may keep blood pressure extremely elevated. Pressure will still drop when the person stands but only to around 150. Remember, it may have been 180 or higher before standing. Treating the adrenals will lower blood pressure whereas anti-hypertensives and diuretics will make the adrenal problems worse in many cases.
Inflammation: Cortisol produced by the adrenal glands are the body's own anti-inflammatory hormones. People who have responded to injections of corticosteroids into joints or to taking them orally are usually those whose adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of these hormones. Any person who responds to corticosteroids should be checked for adrenal fatigue.
Hypoglacemia: As adrenal fatigue progresses, blood glucose levels will tend to fall too low. The body responds to hypoglycemia by causing the person to crave anything that will rapidly raise blood sugar levels. Often adrenal fatigue leads to the abuse of alcohol, marijuana, and hard drugs because of the need to "fix" recurrent hypoglycemia. Unfortunately, the rapid rise in blood glucose provided by the "fix" only serves to start the whole cycle over.
Headaches: This is caused again by blood pooling in the abdomen and pelvis leading to inadequate blood supply to the head.
Memory problems: Cortisol even regulates the electrical activity of neurons in the brain and so influences behavior, mood and memory. Behavior can change frequently with both excess and deficient cortisol levels. Sleep disorders for example, are common with both high and low cortisol. Symptoms more closely related to adrenal fatigue involve decreased tolerance (quick to anger), decreased clarity of thought, poor memory and memory retrieval.
Salt cravings: The adrenal glands produce many more hormones than just glucocorticoids. One very important hormone is aldosterone which regulates fluid and electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium and magnesium) in the blood, between and in the cells of the body. As adrenal fatigue progresses, the production of aldosterone lessens. As the salt is excreted by the kidneys, water follows leading to electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Those with adrenal fatigue should always add salt (preferably sea salt with its trace minerals) to their water. Soft drinks and electrolyte drinks like Gatorade are high in potassium and low in sodium, the opposite of what someone with low cortisol needs. Commercial electrolyte drinks are designed for those who produce high cortisol when exercising, not for someone who produces little or no extra cortisol during exercise. You need to add ¼ to 1 teaspoon of salt to a glass of water or eat something salty to maintain fluid/electrolyte balance. A person with low aldosterone may also urinate 15 to 20 times a day and drink excessive quantities of water. Unless salt is added to the water, the fluid/electrolyte balance in the body is further disrupted.
Swelling: As the body tries to keep the ratio of electrolytes and fluid balanced, fluid may pour into the tissues and cause swelling. Most doctors will only see the symptom and not the cause and prescribe a diuretic which further compounds the dehydration and electrolyte imbalance often making the patient worse.
Hemorrhoids: Basically varicose veins of the rectum and are caused by blood pooling in the abdomen and pelvis. When a person has hemorrhoids, it is usually do to adrenal fatigue, but can be caused by liver congestion. Once again, listening to the heart can help determine the cause. If the loud second sound is over the pulmonic valve, it is indicative of adrenal problems, while a loud 2nd sound over the tricuspid valve is indicative of liver congestion. Varicose veins of the lower extremities result from the same pooling of blood in the abdomen and pelvis that causes hemorrhoids.
Indigestion: The same sluggish circulation in the abdomen can cause symptoms of indigestion and poor absorption of nutrients.

Canary Club has a wide variety of tests from which to choose. Find out if your adrenals are out of balance now.

Jennifer Cebulak
Research Editor, Canary Club

Depression in Teens - Hormones at Work

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:46:51 +0100

Depression is something that can be said to pretty common among people all over the world and in almost any situation, and depression can appear and manifest within the body in many forms. Now teenagers, or depression in teens, is something that can happen quite commonly within these pubescent human beings who are going through a whole slew of hormonal and physical changes.

The issue here is that while some teens are able to cope with these natural functions of growing up, some others might not be able to cope so well and they show their inability to cope with things like depression. Now when one person is going through puberty, there are hormonal changes that happen in the body and the darn thing is that hormones have so much to do with the emotional subsystems in the body. When you are growing up or experiencing puberty, there is a surge in the amount of male or female hormones that are circulating around the body and this is because your body is trying to activate the biological triggers within the body to start some growth spurt and allow areas within the body to grow and develop that mark you as female or male.

Now when you are a male, the level of testosterone in your body increases and this is to actually trigger processes like protein synthesis and development of male specific organs and other bodily functions. Your Adams apple will protrude, the voice box will deepen, protein synthesis will ensure that your muscularity grows and your mass and height will also be affected. For the female, the hormone that we are talking about here is estrogen and it does the same functions as testosterone, but only affects different areas of the female body.

Now, with any biological processes and the millions of possible genetic combination out there, there are bound to be side effects and levels of side effects within individuals who are experiencing puberty. One of them is that they are unable to cope with their major physical changes and they might experience things like acne, which might cause them to be depressed about their appearance. Also, hormones at such a level might also incur emotions to go up and down like tidal waves, and they might be out of control of these teenagers to handle.

Because of these emotions and feelings of being segmented from other normal people, they might slip into depression that is common to teenagers. Do not be alarmed if you see your teenager showing the signs of depression, for even an extended period. Their body is trying to get used to the high level of hormones and the massive changes they are experiencing. Be concerned if they become a complete introvert and there is a drastic character change within themselves. Then the problem might be more than just the normal hormonal problem. If you are concerned, approach a child psychologist, who might be able to help you to evaluate your teenager and make the recommendations.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com

Cortisol Saliva Samples - How many, 1 or 4 or ?

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:58:53 +0100

Salivary Cortisol Testing -- Single Versus Multiple Daily Tests

Jim Paoletti, ZRT Lab

Salivary cortisol testing is the preferred clinical method for measuring human cortisol levels. It has several obvious advantages over blood tests, such as greater validity for tissue levels of cortisol, the convenience of home testing, non-invasiveness, and zero risk of infection. But arguably one of the most important features it offers is the ability to take multiple test samples during the same day. Although urine can also be sampled more than once a day, the constant supply of saliva versus the intermittent supply of urine allows salivary cortisol levels to be taken on demand at any time of the day or night.

The rhythmic circadian fluctuations of cortisol secretion make it virtually impossible to accurately determine cortisol levels by taking a single sample. Cortisol levels can change dramatically within an hour, and it is how they change over a 24 hour period that often yields the most clinical insight. For example, a common pattern seen in people under stress is above normal cortisol in the morning (8:00 AM), which drops to low or below normal by noon and remains low throughout the rest of the day. A single 8:00 AM sample is in no way an accurate indicator of cortisol levels for other parts of the day or of the pattern of change. Cortisol concentration levels vary 6-8 times in magnitude during a normal 24 hour period. Taking a single sample at the beginning of the day, which is the most common time for single samples to be taken, can be so misleading that it often results in inappropriate interpretation of the overall cortisol status and consequent therapy for the patient.

The following example illustrates the clinical implications of testing cortisol only once compared to testing multiple times on a single day.

Mary goes to her physician with a number of symptoms including early morning and mid-afternoon fatigue and mild depression. He decides to test her cortisol levels and has an early morning sample taken, unaware that she is not sleeping well and that cortisol can be elevated in the morning due to the stress of restless sleep the night before. When he receives Mary’s test results showing an elevated morning cortisol, he provides treatment to flatten her cortisol levels because he views her elevated cortisol as a health risk. Mary follows the treatment as directed, but feels worse. She returns a few weeks later complaining that her symptoms are increasing in duration and intensity, and that she has developed new ones as well. Thinking he is not doing enough to flatten her cortisol, the physician doubles her dosage.

Mary gets even worse and consults another physician in her area. Her new physician also says he expects her adrenals are involved in her health problems. After a quick glance at her single sample test result, he tells her he wants to run the salivary cortisol test again, but this time he wants to test her cortisol levels 4 times in the same day.

The results show that even though her morning cortisol level was elevated, as it was in her previous test, the other three cortisol levels were actually low. Indeed, viewing the multiple samples taken on the same day, Mary sees that she is not suffering from an excess of cortisol, but in actuality has low cortisol during most of the day.

As you can see, the clinical implications of using a multiple sample rather than a single sample cortisol test are significant. The physician who used the 8:00 am cortisol level as the sole laboratory indicator of Mary’s condition misdiagnosed her and prescribed the wrong treatment. If he had been aware of the circadian variation of cortisol and the consequent importance of looking at the pattern of change, he would have used a more accurate test strategy and achieved a much better outcome for his patient.

Health care practitioners who understand that cortisol normally fluctuates throughout the day routinely order multiple cortisol samples to be taken over a single day. The most common pattern is four times per day at 8:00 am noon, 4:00 pm, and before bed.

In summary, cortisol has large daily fluctuations from its peak to its nadir. Because of this normal variation, the use of multiple salivary cortisol tests over a single day is the most accurate way to gain insights into the daily fluctuating cortisol pattern of patients and arrive at a proper diagnosis and treatment protocol. The astute health care practitioner uses laboratory tests that most accurately reflect the underlying physiology of the body system(s), they are investigating. Cortisol testing is no exception.

Testosterone Testing in Saliva - Part 2

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:11:20 +0100

Testosterone Testing in Saliva - Part 2

(Read Part 1)

Mark Newman,Vice President of ZRT Laboratory Operations

There have been a few negative publications on testing testosterone in saliva lately. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) published a paper in which testosterone was tested in serum and saliva. The conclusion was that “salivary testosterone does not correlate strongly with…measurements from the serum samples.” Interestingly, it was also NAMS (North American Menopause Society) who concluded that for salivary estradiol, as compared to serum measurements, “the correlation … is nearly zero.”

Here’s what we know about testosterone and estradiol in saliva:

• In some papers saliva and serum correlate. In some, they don’t quite so well. Are we to believe that at one point in time there is an agreement between saliva and serum, and at other times there is not? Perhaps it has to do with the phases of the moon or which political party is in office during the study. Perhaps the same cosmic force that keeps the Cubs losing makes some researchers studies turn out differently.

• There are two reasons why saliva wouldn’t correlate with serum.

1. Topical Supplementation (this is a long story that we’ll get into some other day), but suffice to say that serum testing severely underestimates for creams.

2. The test isn’t accurate. This is very significant for testosterone and estradiol in saliva (and even in serum). Some assays are sensitive enough to measure high level samples, but not at low concentrations. If you use a test that isn’t good enough to measure low-level samples and then conclude that saliva and serum don’t match, have you really accomplished anything? Consider the following for estradiol:

Observations:
• Results are accurate
• There is a 2-3 fold difference between days 1-5 and days 19-21… there should be
• Serum Correlation was good!
• Conclusion: Saliva Testing Works

Accurate Work = Good Saliva Testing

Observations:
• Results at day 1 are 5 X higher than above (inaccurate)
• There is no difference between days 1-5 and days 19-21… there should be
• Serum Correlation was Poor
• Conclusion: Saliva Testing Does NOT Work

Inaccurate Work = Bad Saliva Testing

There are two sets of results in the literature. These both propose to show women’s estradiol (estrogen) levels throughout their cycle. I recreated the data here.

Wong used a method that is FAR more sensitive than Chatterton (I’ll spare you the details on the difference between a 3H extracted RIA and a ‘direct’ 125I RIA but Wong’s method is far more sensitive).

Chatterton got results that are 3-5 times higher than Wong. Wong says salivary estradiol correlates to serum (r>0.9) and Chatterton says it doesn’t (negative r-value). Are we to believe that in one group of women there was terrific agreement between saliva and serum levels and not in the other? No, reality is Chatterton’s test has so much background “noise” (that’s why his levels are so much higher). Remember, the method has to be accurate and reproducible before anything else matters and for testosterone and estradiol, not all methods are good enough…some are really poor.

Let’s look at this one more way. Chatterton’s numbers have a much higher background level that obscures the specific estradiol binding sites in the test and raises the “apparent” estradiol concentration throughout the menstrual cycle. This causes the background to increase about 5-fold. To really compare them, let’s just divide by 5 (20% of original values) to make them “the same” and see what that does.

Observations:

• Bloating the numbers by a factor of 5 obscures the critical differences between the three phases of the menstrual cycle.
• Only the accurate test clearly distinguishes the ‘low,’ (day1-8) ‘normal,’ (21-23) and ‘high’ (day 14, ovulation) phases of the cycle.

Wong’s results look exactly as what you would see in a text book or from serum results. It’s subtle, but the lack of distinction between days 1-5 and days 21-23 in the other test means you can’t tell the difference between “low” and “normal.” You can see why there is no serum correlation and no clinically useful information using the inaccurate test. You can also see why a group like NAMS might pick the inaccurate method to conclude that saliva testing “doesn’t work” if it is politically expedient for them to reach such a conclusion.

Whether you are talking about estradiol or testosterone, study conclusions need to always be taken with a grain of salt. It would be better if studies like Chatterton’s were never done. Instead we have an inaccurate method reaching negative conclusions about saliva testing.

Fortunately for ZRT Laboratory, we have our own data and we can correlate our actual testing to clinical parameters. My last blog on testosterone showed lots of great data which should increase confidence in using such a test. Here is a little bit of data for estradiol to show its clinical utility. Remember these figures are from actual patient data tested over the past 10 years. This is a lot of information, but just scroll down through it, read the bullet points, and see if it isn’t impressive clinical utility for a test that some would have you believe is not relevant.

• Here we see results from nearly 50,000 women, and we can see the expected relationship between estradiol levels and age.

• We can see a nice correlation between levels of estradiol and the severity (self-reported) of their hot flashes and also vaginal dryness.

• We know that a higher BMI means more adipose tissue. More adipose tissue means more aromatase, which will convert testosterone to estradiol. We can see this relationship strongly from levels measured in premenopausal women. The graph looks much the same (except lower levels of course) with postmenopausal women.

• One criticism of testing is that there is no relationship between the hormones taken and the clinical levels in the patients. This strongly refutes that position. First, with oral estradiol…

Even more impressive data with topical hormone. Not only do we see very nice dose-dependent results, but we also know how severe these women's hot flashes were (we collect that information on our requisition forms). You can see two hugely important things.
1. Dosages of 0.1 mg get most women up and into the premenopausal range, and
2. Low dosages do a very good job of relieving symptoms.

If you are using 1-4 mg of topical estradiol, this begs the question, why? The answer to that will have to wait for next time. In short, topically measured hormones do not increase serum levels. This has lead to many physicians who are monitoring topical hormones to overdosing.

The above data shows tremendous clinical utility for salivary estradiol. ZRT’s assay for estradiol is uniquely sensitive, which is critically important for this test. Don’t assume that this type of data would fall out of another lab’s estradiol test. It only will if it is accurate. Many of the tests available are not optimally accurate, so if you use a different lab, ask for this type of data to instill confidence in using the test. As Chatterton showed, just because samples are measured and numbers are given doesn’t necessarily mean that the numbers have a high degree of clinical relevance.

Testosterone Testing In Saliva Part 1

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:41:28 +0100

Testosterone Testing in Saliva - Part 1

Mark Newman,Vice President of ZRT Laboratory Operations,

The following is some data I mined from the ZRT database of literally over1 million people tested for salivary hormones over the past 10 years. This data clearly substantiates the clinical utility of measuring testosterone in saliva, in contrast to recent publications that cast doubt on the relevance of testing testosterone in saliva. Here’s some data to show that it does indeed work if it is done accurately and reproducibly.

• We can see that correlation of testosterone with age makes sense: levels are dropping off as women age, just as we would expect to see in serum measurements.

• You can also see a VERY strong correlation between levels of testosterone and symptoms of excess testosterone (excess facial/body hair). Women who complain of these symptoms have much higher levels than women who do not complain of these symptoms.

• Here we can see that as women take topical testosterone, levels go up in a dose-dependent manner. This is HUGE if you plan to use saliva testing to monitor supplementation. The recent North American Menopause Society (NAMS) publication stated that they saw no increase in salivary levels with topical supplementation(1). We see otherwise.

• Note the expected values are different if you test at 12 hours or 24 hours.

• Have people test at 12 or 24 hours, so we can give expected values for that particular situation. Topical testosterone ranges are not currently on the ZRT web site for women, but they will be soon.

• In men we can also see the linear, dose-dependent relationship between salivary levels and the amount of topical testosterone taken.

The recent publication from Menopause showed little clinical utility for measuring testosterone in saliva. The data in their publication showed almost no correlation with serum. I will address this issue in the next installment.

(1). Flyckt, Rebecca, James Liu, Heidi Frasure, Kathryn Weksleman et al. "Comparison of salivary versus serum testosterone levels in." The Journal of The North American Menopause Society 16.4 (2009): 1-9. Pr

Let's Talk About Stress

Fri, 01 May 2009 07:15:35 +0100

Stress and Hormones

Sandra Gustafson, BSN RN ND

Stress… yikes! Just hearing or reading the word elicits an immediate, internal response! We can all relate to it, mostly in a negative sense, of “something” that is undesirable and overwhelming. We are highly sensitive beings, constantly monitoring the input pouring in through our five senses, as being pleasant and calming, or annoying, painful and alarming. Our brain, nervous system and hormones constantly respond to the effect of the incoming information, even when we are asleep. Stress responses, in short bursts, are normal reactions that enhance our ability to manage intense situations. We are designed to maintain an equilibrium between responding appropriately to a heightened state of urgency or intensity, and then relax when it’s over.

Emotional, physical and psychological factors that cause injury, pain, a sense of loss or danger, lead to multiple chemical reactions in the body, particularly the nervous system, brain and hormones. Adrenaline, released from the adrenal glands, increases the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and blood sugar – all designed to get oxygenated blood to muscles, to either “fight” the offending situation, or take “flight” and get away as quickly as possible. This is known as a Sympathetic Nervous System Response. Once the threat has been overcome or removed, the calming effect of the Parasympathetic Response settles the body back into equilibrium again.

Chronic stress leads to abnormal levels of hormones being secreted into the bloodstream for prolonged periods, mainly cortisol from the adrenal glands, which can adversely affect brain function, particularly memory and sleep. High levels of cortisol also affect two important parts of the brain that control all other hormones in the body – the hippocampus and the hypothalamus, which in turn affects our “Master gland” - the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland controls the thyroid gland, the adrenal gland and kidneys, the sexual glands and many other regulating mechanisms that control healthy metabolism.

Stress can have many long-term effects on the body and one’s sense of well being. It affects mood and energy levels, lowers immunity to infection, accelerates the aging process and inflammation in the body, increases the risk of stroke and heart-attack, stomach ulcers, osteoporosis, and can lead to unhealthy lifestyle behaviour such as poor diet, increased alcohol and medication consumption and cigarette smoking. In addition many stress-affected people find themselves gaining weight, particularly around the middle, despite trying to cut back on calories and increasing exercise – which are helpful counter-measures, but may not be enough to offset the hormonal changes affecting the body’s metabolism.

Stress is a normal fact of life, we can’t avoid it completely and it can be a positive motivator to enhance our performance, such as running a race or finishing a deadline task. In an ideal world, we learn to adapt to it and balance our lives around it. However, it is the prolonged state of stress - feeling threatened, overloaded and “distressed,” that has negative consequences on our health and leads to “dis-ease”. The challenge is to stay healthy by finding ways to manage stress effectively.

Stress Management

"Stress management" doesn't just happen - it requires us to consciously seek time, space and activities that allow us to detach from the frenetic pace and sensory overload we find ourselves dealing with each day. It takes our bodies time to relax, and we need to give ourselves time to benefit from the relaxation, as often as possible. A relaxing space may be found out in nature, in the garden, resting, listening to guided imagery or music, or meditation. Switch off the phone, TV, radio, and step away from your computer! Give your mind a chance to settle down and "tune in" to your body and your inner feelings. Exercise helps to relieve stress by releasing the pent up energy in our muscles, promotes deep breathing and causes our brains to release "feel-good" chemicals called endorphins. Mindful exercises like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga and walking, can help to strengthen our internal ability to manage our reactions to stressful situations. Playing with children, pets and finding humor in life, can do wonders for a stressed person's soul! Massage, acupressure and other gentle forms of bodywork help to relax our whole body, and remind us of what it is like to feel calm again.

Bowenwork for stress.

Many stressed-out people feel achy and stiff in their muscles and joints, their posture changes under the burden of their situations, which in turn leads to feeling burned out, and the cycle of pain is exacerbated. Bowenwork is a unique and unusual form of soft-tissue bodywork that is very effective in relaxing muscle tension and reducing the body’s stress levels. It is a gentle neuromuscular technique that resets the nervous system, helping to restore calmness and deep relaxation throughout the whole body. By applying light rolling moves over specific muscles and areas of the body, signals are sent, via the nervous system to the brain, to reorganize the dysfunctional tension patterns in the body. Sets of moves are followed by two to five minute delays, where the practitioner leaves the client relaxing on the table and allows for the body to integrate the effect of the work. This leads to deeper breathing, slower heart rate, improved blood circulation to the tissues and the removal of waste fluids via the lymphatic system. When the nervous system relaxes, the adrenal glands reduce the amount of adrenaline and cortisol they are producing, which in turn sends signals to the brain and the rest of the hormone system to start returning to a point of balance. Pain levels can be reduced significantly and people report feeling more flexible, sleeping better, and are much more energetic for days after a session. The effect of a Bowenwork session can be quite profound and can last far longer than many other bodywork techniques. Many clients only need 2 –3 sessions, one week apart initially, and then a tune up once a month or when they feel the effects of stress returning.

Recent Case Study:

A woman in her mid 50’s came to my office for Bowenwork to help with weight loss, bladder weakness and sleep issues. This lady is an administrative assistant and spends most of her day in front of a computer, working for a demanding boss. When she lay or sat in certain positions, she would get tingling and numbness in her hands. She was about 20 pounds overweight and felt too tired to exercise after work, so physical activities were limited to occasional walks on the weekends. In her 40s, she’d had a total hysterectomy and ever since then, she needed to go to the bathroom at least 3 times during the night, and had occasional incontinence. When I assessed her, she had significant tightness in her neck and shoulders. In the first Bowenwork session, I focused on general relaxation and supporting her kidneys and adrenal glands. She was surprised at how she almost fell asleep during the session, even though the amount of work I did on her was minimal with very light pressure. A week later she returned and reported to me that on the night of the last session, she had slept throughout the entire night! She woke up feeling very energized and was able to take a walk for a couple of evenings after work, and the tingling and numbness in her hands had not bothered her. I did one more Bowenwork session on her and asked her to keep in touch with me, to let me know how she felt.

The next day, she was back to the office, specifically to tell me how much better she was feeling, her bladder problem was gone, and she was not feeling nearly as stressed at work, even though her employer was still demanding.

Sandra Gustafson, BSN RN ND
www.bowenworkforlife.com or
Farmacopia
95 Montgomery Drive, Suite 90
Santa Rosa, CA, 95404
Ph: 707 528 4372

For further information about Bowenwork go to: www.bowenworkforlife.com

msgdstuf@sonic.net

Natural Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:11:31 +0100

Polycystic ovary syndrome, also referred to as polycystic ovaries or PCOS, is a condition which affects the ovaries. These ovarian cysts ultimately develop as a result of a chemical hormone imbalance.

The ovarian cysts prevent the ovaries from developing as normal and therefore the patient may be unable to produce an egg capable of being fertilised. This means that she rarely ovulates and is therefore less fertile. Sufferers will often experience irregular periods or may go for many weeks without a menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of PCOS can include increased facial and body hair, also known as hirsutism. This excess hair is usually found under the chin, on the upper lip, forearms, lower legs, and on the abdomen. You may also suffer from acne of the face and experience rapid (or faster than normal) weight gain.

This is common in women with PCOS because their body cells are resistant to the sugar-control hormone insulin. This insulin resistance prevents the cells using sugar in the blood normally and the sugar is instead, stored as fat. If able to conceive, you may also be more susceptible to miscarriage due to an increased level of luteinising hormone; a hormone produced by the brain that affects ovary function. Women are also more at risk if they are overweight as this leads to an increased hormone imbalance.

The most common conventional method of controlling PCOS is with the use of the combined oral contraceptive pill which helps to suppress ovarian testosterone production. The use of metformin is also effective in reducing testosterone levels and in regulating the menstrual cycle. It also helps to maintain a healthy weight.
It is surprising however how PCOS can be controlled by simply enforcing lifestyle and diet changes. Ensuring you take regular exercise, are of a healthy weight, and maintaining a BMI between 19 and 25 is essential as this is frequently all that is required to correct the hormonal imbalance. This will then help to restore ovulation and fertility, and improve acne and hirsutism. Eating six small meals per day based on a diet containing a range of complex carbohydrates, fruit, vegetables and protein will help stabilise insulin levels. The combination pill or metformin will indeed reduce the cysts and chemically maintain a hormone balance but if you cease taking them, the condition and symptoms will likely reoccur. By making the correct diet and lifestyle choices and opting for a natural approach, you can effectively control and ultimately treat PCOS.

Megavista-Health.com is an independent website giving cutting-edge information on positive, holistic health and nutrition. For further information on how to cure polycystic ovary syndrome please go to Megavista-health.

Laura Yates is a Holistic Health Writer for Megavista-Health. Megavista-Health's mission is simple. We aim to bring you the best information available from around the world on health and nutrition. We address the holistic approach to health, focusing on stress reduction, detoxification, correct nutrition, exercise and acid-alkaline balance.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_812730_17.html

Author: Laura Yates

About the Author: Laura Yates is a Holistic Health Writer for Megavista-Health. Megavista-Health's mission is simple. We aim to bring you the best information available from around the world on health and nutrition. We address the holistic approach to health, focusing on stress reduction, detoxification, correct nutrition, exercise and acid-alkaline balance.

http://www.megavista-health.com/

Protect against environmental hazards

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:06:41 +0100

The past half-century has witnessed the large-scale production, use, and disposal of man-made chemicals into our environment. Most of the synthetic chemicals produced in the U.S. lack adequate testing to determine their long-term health effects in humans. But numerous studies show that human exposure to pesticides, solvents, herbicides, insecticides, certain plastics, and manufacturing byproducts in our environment can cause adverse health effects. Since these products interfere with our internal hormonal balance, we call them hormone-disrupting compounds.

Hormonal Imbalance

A hormone disrupter is any substance that alters normal endocrine levels or activity in the body. Synthetic chemicals can disturb the normal activity of thyroid and other hormones, including estrogen, by binding directly to hormone receptors; activating these receptor sites; and creating a chain of events similar to what would happen if the hormone itself were binding to the receptor. One of the problems is that they stay on the site too long and your body does not know how to remove it.

These toxins may also bind with and occupy the receptor, blocking normal hormonal activity. Or they may interfere with proteins that regulate the activity of hormone. This kind of hormone disruption is associated with the development of breast cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia, to name just a few conditions.

Everyday Toxins

We are exposed to hormone-disrupting compounds in our everyday lives, often without knowing it. Pesticide residues are common on fruits and vegetable-unless certified organic. Nonorganic animal foods often contain added hormones and antibiotics. Certain fish have high levels of mercury and dioxins.

Even some of the more flexible plastic containers in which many foods and condiments are packaged and stored can leach out harmful chemicals. Hormone-disrupting compounds are found in both well water and city water, providing yet another daily means of exposure. Other culprits include commercial household cleaning products, conventional cosmetics, perfumes, dry cleaning solvents, carpeting, vinyl floors, copy machines, furniture glues, air fresheners, mattresses, shampoos-and the list go on.

The Greatest Risks

Here are some environmental toxins linked to adverse health effects:

Dioxins are byproducts of industrial incineration and combustion. Also produced by the manufacturing of chlorine-containing pesticides, wood preservatives, and paper, dioxins persist in the environment for years and accumulate in the fat of farm animals that eat contaminated feed or water. Linked by some studies to endometriosis, these toxins appear to disrupt endocrine function, causing imbalances.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PBB's) are used in coolant, lubricants, and insulation for electrical equipment as well as in paints, dyes, and rubber. PCB's accumulate in human fat-and in the food chain. Found in rivers and lakes, these toxins weaken the immune system, damage neurological development, and behave like estrogen in the body.
Bisphenol A is a compound in some plastics. It can leach into foods and the environment. Bisphenol A produces estrogen like effects making it a possible contributor to immune suppression, and some cancers.
Phthalates are added to plastic to make them strong, soft, and flexible. These toxins are also used in carpet backing, paints, glues, insect repellents, hair spray, nail polish, and even in toys, where they make their way into our bodies through ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption. Phthalates hormone-disrupting effects have been found to suppress ovulation and estradiol production and to contribute to a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome.
DDT the pesticide and its metabolite DDE have been banned in this country since 1972, but their effects still linger in our environment, accumulating in adipose tissue and in the food chain. An insecticide used in agriculture and mosquito control, DDT has estrogen effects.
Formaldehyde is another toxic compound. Traditionally used as a laboratory preservative, it has made its way into our homes. Formaldehyde is used in some shampoos, conditioners, and cosmetics as well as in construction materials, cleaning supplies, carpeting, drapes, upholstery, paper products, and plastics. Its fumes can cause depression, fatigue, poor memory, headaches, asthma, cough, skin rashes, and other problems. Formaldehyde has also been linked to reduced fertility and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).

Need To Detox?

Normally, our bodies are equipped to metabolize and eliminate toxins through the process of detoxification. But when we are daily bombarded with so many chemicals from so many sources, our bodies can become overburdened. Luckily, we can use diet and supplements to assist our bodies in breaking down toxins and supporting natural hormone balance.

Certain foods support liver metabolism and detoxification. The family of cruciferous vegetables (including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, collards, and cauliflower) contain liver detoxifying nutrients that help to speed toxins out of the body. Flaxseed and psyllium husk powder offer fiber that binds toxins and supports the bowel in eliminating them.

Herbs also support the liver: milk thistle, dandelion root, burdock root, beet root, fenugreek, greater celandine, juniper, and fringe tree. Natural detox teas combine many of these herbs such as "Daily Detox Tea" from M.D. Labs, "Detox A.M. Wellness Tea" from Celestial Seasonings and "Liver Detox Tea" from Herbalfitness.

Amino acids, the basic building blocks of proteins, are necessary for detoxification of environmental pollutants. Glutathione, cysteine, glycine, glutamine, taurine, and methionine are important for detox. Whey protein powder is a convenient source of glutathione. Many soy and rice protein powders have amino acids added to them, so check the labels. Selenium, vitamins C and E, and alpha lipoic acid are antioxidants that protect us from toxin overload. A good multi-vitamin/mineral formula such as "Multi-Vitamin Natures Way" and "Twinlab Mega 6" also provides necessary cofactors for liver detoxification.

Any individual experiencing chronic health problems or a hormone-related condition is wise to seek the help of a qualified health care professional who specializes in this. Don't be afraid to seek "alternative health care practioners". Some of them have much more formal education in this than conventional medical practioners.

While it's nearly impossible to completely eliminate these toxic compounds from our lives, we can educate ourselves and protect against toxic overload. Also important, we can help to educate others and get involved to make our planet a safer place for all.

Take Action

It's easy to become overly anxious about the amount of toxins to which we are exposed to ever day. But who wants to live in a bubble? Instead, we can educate ourselves in ways to minimize our exposure to these compounds and how to support the body in metabolism and eliminating toxins. Avoiding hormone-disrupting compounds begins simply with the choices we make at home and the store, increasing the demand for safer alternatives.

Buy certified organic fruits and vegetables grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, sewage slude (a lesser-known source of toxins), or hormones. When you can and according to your budget. Think of it as a great investment.
Select fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables whenever possible, limiting canned foods.
Choose grass-fed, hormone-free meats, eggs, and dairy products (organic when possible), and avoid eating animal fat, because of the possibility of high concentration of chemicals.
Eat fish low in mercury and fat, since toxins accumulate in the fat of fish. Also avoid: tilefish, tuna, farm-raised salmon, swordfish, shark, king mackerel, red snapper, orange roughly, and trout.
Buy naturally chemical-free soaps, detergents, and cleaning supplies.
Use natural pest control instead of pesticides and herbicides for your lawn, and adjust your mind about what looks beautiful.
When remodeling, ask for earth-friendly, or "green," building supplies.
Drink filtered water out of glass or ceramic containers, and store and cook foods in glass, whenever feasible. Buy glass stored foods and recycle.
Avoid PV or vinyl (which contains plasticizers), PS or Styrofoam (suspected carcinogens and hormone disrupters), and other resins (including PC).
Buy a box of surgical gloves or a good pair of rubber ones and use them if you are in doubt about any liquid, solvent that easily gets absorbed through your skin.

Women Living Naturally was created to give you as much pertinent information as can be found on the subject of women's hormone issues. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of any of our publications or web content provided this paragraph, including the above copyright notice, is preserved on all copies.

Recommended Reading:

Detoxify or Die by Sherry A. Rogers, MD ($22.95, Prestige, 2002)
Having Faith by Sandra Steingraber ($14, Berkley, 2003)
Living Downstream by Sandra Steingraber ($14, Vintage, 1998)
Our Stolen Future by Theo Colburn, PhD ($15, Plume, 1997)

Bioidentical hormones, different from synthetic ?

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:58:32 +0100

According to Census data from 2000, there are about 37.5 million women reaching or currently at menopause (ages 40 to 59). For many consumers, "natural" implies "safer". That perception explains the demand for natural products. Often however, the manufacturing of natural products are not well-regulated and the significance of the word "natural" has different meanings for consumers and manufacturers.

Natural hormone replacement therapy (NHRT) is a misnomer. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BNRT) is the proper term. This article will explain the important differences and why you should use Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bioidentical hormones have the exact molecular structure as those made in the human body. In other words, the two are indistinguishable from each other. Bioidentical hormones produce the same physiologic responses as those of endogenous(bodies natural hormones) hormones. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers bioidentical hormones to be natural regardless of their source, and as a result they cannot be patented.

Misconceptions About Bioidentical Hormones

Many women are unfamiliar with the significance of bioidentical hormones, it seems they are more concerned about the source of the hormones rather than the effects produced by those hormones. Bioidentical hormones can be extracted and derived from a variety of different sources such as plants (soy or yams) or animals (pigs or horses). They can also be produced synthetically. However, hormones of plant or animal extraction that are bioidentical to human hormones are still not completely natural in the purest sense, because they undergo a laboratory process and several processing steps before the bioidentical end product is obtained.

The Important Issues When Deciding Bioidentical Therapy

Natural hormone replacement therapy involves two important issues. The source of the product, trying to acquire a natural source from plants and the end product, trying to obtain something bioidentical. Which is more important? The physiologic effect, which occurs with a bioidentical product. This should be the most important focus, but women are most comfortable with hormones that are obtained from a plant source and that are as bioidentical. Few commercially available products fit this description. But, thanks to WHI (Womens Health Initiative) findings that exposed the failure of synthetic hormone replacement, women are selecting what has been available for over 20 years, bioidentical hormones that are plant derived.

Pharmaceutical companies profits come from patents that insure them seven years of profits, where no other company can manufacture a product like theirs. Hence, the cost of this product is determined totally by them.

There are several new products that have been marketed as being natural because they are derived from plants such as soy or yam, but few are truly natural because they are not bioidentical. Sometimes, a bioidentical hormone is combined with another completely synthetic non bioidentical hormone, and the results is advertised as a natural product. Premarin for example is advertised as a natural estrogen replacement therapy because it is derived from the urine of a pregnant mare but it is not bioidentical to human estrogen and has been found to have devastating effects on women. The manufacturer of this product is beginning to prepare for the national class action suit for the greatest hoax on women in the last century. The benefits that they claimed women would receive were not only false, their drug actually ended countless women's lives.

Bioidentical Hormones-Allvia Progesterone

Allvia pharmaceuticals use natural plant compounds to create the bioidentical hormone progesterone. The percentage used is 1.6% or 20mg per dispensing transdermal dose. 20 mg has been found to be the appropriate dose for women needing to supplement with progesterone. Allvia must comply with the regulations of the highest grade (United States Pharmacopoeia (USP)).

The following information on commercially, compounded and natural hormone replacement products is featured. The source of the ingredients is listed, and whether it is considered bioidentical.

Bioidentical Estrogen

Micronized estradiol/Estrace-Synthesized from soy and yam.*
Estradiol/Alora-Synthetic.*
Estradiol/Climara-Synthesized from soybeans.*
Estradiol/Estraderm-Synthesized from Mexican yams.*
Estradiol/Fem Patch-Synthetic.*
Estradiol/Vivelle, Vivelle-Dot-Synthesized from Mexican yams.*
Estradiol/Estring-Synthesized from Mexican yams.*

Non-Bioidentical Estrogen

Conjugated estrogens/Premarin-Pregnant mares' urine.*
Conjugated estrogens/Cenestin-Synthesized from soy and yams.*
Esterified estrogens (estrone, equilin)/Estra Tab-both estrone and equillin are synthesized from soy and yams.*
Esterified estrogens (estrone, equillin)/Menest-Both estrone and equillin are synthesized from soy and yams.*
Micronized estradiol/Estrace-Synthesized from soy and yams.*
Estropipate/Ogen-Synthesized from Mexican yams.*
Estropipate/Ortho-Est-Synthesized from yams.*
Ethinyl estradiol/Estinyl-Synthesized from Mexican yams.*
Estradiol cypionate/Depo-Estradiol-Synthetic.*
Estradiol valerate/Delestrogen-Synthetic.*

Use PhytoEstrogens Not Estrogens

A Phytoestrogen is a naturally-occurring plant nutrient that exerts an estrogen-like action on the body without the harmful effects of estrogen. This is what the Japanese women have used and why they have almost a non existent occurrence of menopause symptoms and a greatly reduced cancer rate compared to the United States. It is believed that the xenohormone exposure that exists in the U.S. creates endocrine disruption. These terms are defined in various places on this site and can be searched for so better understanding. In abbreviation xenohormones are any substance that acts on the endocrine system/hormone production to exhert an outside influence on receptor cells and therefore hormone receptors throughout the body.

Many women experience estrogen dominance a condition where a woman can have deficient, normal or excessive estrogen, but has little or no progesterone to balance its effects in the body. Even a woman with low estrogen levels can have estrogen dominance symptoms if she doesn't have enough progesterone.

Phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptor sites preventing too much estrogen and thereby rebalancing the hormones. Phytoestrogens are identifiable to your body, they are easily cleaved from your estrogen receptor sites and stimulate them for a short time. Synthetic forms of estrogen are un identifiable and our body does not posses the enzymes to cleave or separate them from our receptor sites. This results in excess stimulation of endocrine tissues; breast, uterous and ovaries. If we look at the body closely we find that all tissue; hair, skin, mucous membraines/vaginal tissue, subcutaneous fat and even the brain tissue is adversely affected by excess synthetic estrogens found in our environment. All petrochemical derived products exhert an estrogen like influence on our body. Petrochemical derived products; all pharmceutical drugs, plastic, styrofoam, herbacides, pesticides the list is frightening.

Bioidentical Progesterone

Micronized progesterone/Prometrium-Synthesized from Mexican yams.*
Micronized progesterone/Crinone-Synthesized from Mexican yams.*
Progesterone/Progensa 20 (Allvia Manufacturer)-Synthesized from soy and yams.*

Non-Bioidentical Progesterone

Medroxyprogesterone acetate/Provera-Synthetic.*
Medroxyprogesterone acetate/Cycrin-Synthetic.*
Medroxyprogesterone acetate/Amen-Synthetic.*

Bioidentical Progesterone for Menopausal Women

Bioidentical progesterone research reveals that the traditional treatment methods of Menopause were wrong. Synthetic hormone replacement therapy is very harmful, and much less effective than bioidentical progesterone. Research unearthed that bioidentical progesterone not only eliminates many or most menopausal symptoms, it effectively negates the harmful side effects of synthetic hormones.

Combination HRT Replacement (2 or more hormones), Non Bioidentical

Conjugated estrogens & Medroxy progesterone acetate/PremPro-Pregnant mares' urine & Synthetic.*
Conjugated estrogens & Medroxy progesterone acetate/PremPhase-Pregnant mares' urine & Synthetic.*
Esterified estrogens & Methyltestosterone acetate/EstraTest HS-Synthesized from soy and yams.*
Esterified estrogens & Methyltestosterone acetate/Estra Test-Synthesized from soy and yams and Synthetic.*
Ethinyl estradiol & Norethindrone acetate/Femhrt-Synthesized from soy.*
Estradiol & Norgestinate/OrthoPrefest-Synthesized from soy & Synthetic.*
Estradiol & Norethindrone acetate/Combipatch-Synthesized from soy & Synthesized from yams.*
Estradiol & Norethindrone acetate/Activella-Synthetic.*

Compounded Hormone Replacement Therapy, Bioidentical

Formulated by a specializing compounding pharmacy. Individually mixed for each women based on a profile that is done by blood. A saliva test is more preferable and accurate.

Estrone, Estradiol & Estriol (Triple estrogen)/Compounded-Synthesized from soy.*
Estradiol & Estriol (Bi-estrogen)/Compounded-Synthesized from soy.*
Estriol/Compounded-Synthesized from soy.*

Additional Information

The information in this article was compiled from literature supplied by the manufacturers of the products listed and/or by the manufacturer's technical support staff.
The list of products is not complete but rather reflects the most commonly prescribed hormone replacement products.
*Generic name, Brand name and Source of ingredients

Progesterone Cream-Progensa 20

Bioidentical progesterone reduces the symptoms and discomfort of menopause, perimenopause and PMS without the side effects associated with synthetic hormone replacement therapy.

Progesterone Plus with PhytoEstrogens-Progensa Plus

Bioidentical progesterone with phytoestrogens will reduce the symptoms and discomfort of menopause, perimenopause and premenstrual syndrome without the side effects associated with synthetic hormone replacement therapy.

Copyright 2003 Women Living Naturally - http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com
Women Living Naturally was created to give you as much pertinent information as can be found on the subject of women's hormone issues. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of any of our publications or web content provided this paragraph, including the above copyright notice, is preserved on all copies.

Adrenal Fatigue & Exhaustion

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:48:40 +0100

Thousands of people suffer from constant fatigue unrelieved by rest and sleep. This is the main symptom of Adrenal Burnout. Other symptoms may include a craving for sweets, low blood pressure and low blood sugar, irritability and depression. Secondary symptoms range from impaired digestion to infections. Low energy can impair every system of the body lending to toxic emotions. People seem uncaring and a hopeless or depressed attitude is not uncommon. It feels like a everyday struggle - just to maintain!

The condition is also called adrenal hypo function, exhaustion or insufficiency. Unlike fatigue, your energy does not return after a good nights rest. Burnout is a more serious derangement of the body's energy systems.

The adrenals are the major glands the body uses to respond to stress. Just two of it's hormones, adrenalin and epinephrine raise the blood sugar and blood pressure and promote energy production in response to emergencies. Longer-acting anti-stress adrenal hormones such as cortisone and cortisol are also manufactured. Aldosterone, another adrenal hormone, retains sodium and increases the blood pressure. Related closely to the sympathetic nervous system, adrenals are part of the fight-or-flight response which kicks in under stress. Then, when the adrenals become depleted, the body is unable to handle stress.

Most physicians do not diagnose adrenal burnout syndrome. Rarely, if enough tests are run, it may be called "Addison's disease". Doctors consider this condition incurable. Recovery from adrenal burnout, however, is definitely possible. The condition affects both men and women, and even children as well. Some children are born this way and never experience fullness of energy.

Burnout may develop slowly or be caused by a single trauma. John F. Kennedy experienced burnout during World War II. Late one night, his patrol boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer, killing most of the crew. He never recovered from the shock. For the rest of his life, he needed replacement adrenal hormones. If he had found the right practitioner, perhaps they would not have been needed.

Causes of Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

Excessive stress, the underlying cause of burnout, can be from many sources. Chemical toxicity and nutritional depletion are among the physical causes. Mental, emotional or spiritual stress may be a major factor. Financial, family or other stress may also contribute to burnout.

Nutritional deficiencies are a common cause. When under stress, the need for nutrients is much greater. Carbohydrates, when excessive in the diet, stress the adrenals. Diets low in protein may also create deficiencies and inadequate or poor quality water affects oxygenation of the tissues.

Most diets are low in nutrients required by the adrenals. These include B-complex, vitamins A, C and E, manganese, zinc and others. Most food is grown on depleted soils. Processing and refining further deplete nutrients. Personal habits like eating in the car or while on the run further diminish the value derived from food. Allergic reactions to foods like wheat and dairy products damage the intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients.

Toxic metals and chemicals, in adrenal burnout often play a large role. Everyone is exposed to thousands of chemicals in the air, the water and the food. Other sources are dental materials and skin contact with chemicals. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications also add to the body's toxic load.

Within the body, impaired digestion can also lead to toxic buildup as can chronic infections due to dental and other hidden origins. Unfortunately, the organs of elimination, in most people do not function well. Toxic substances slowly build up in the body, leading to many serious heath concerns.

Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals, especially when weakened by poor nutrition. Working too much or emotional stress are two common causes. Family or financial problems may also contribute. Over stimulation, especially for children, is another cause. Fast-paced, high-stress, fear-based lifestyles are a sure prescription for adrenal burnout.

Other stressors in city life include noise and electromagnetic pollution. Cell phones, microwave towers, and appliances like televisions, microwave ovens and computers give off strong electrical fields.

Temporarily stimulants can damage the adrenal glands. Caffeine, sugar and alcohol are among the most common. Less obvious stimulants include anger, rage, arguing, hatred, loud music, the news and movies full of suspense. Vigorous exercise, sexual preoccupations and other thrills may also act as stimulants.

Stimulant use, however, is often a result of adrenal burnout. Stimulants are attractive in providing temporary energy. This is one appeal of the drug culture, both legal and recreational.

High strung, nervous individuals and those with very active minds are especially prone to adrenal burnout. Unhealthy responses to stress are an important cause. These include habits of worrying, or becoming angry or afraid. Don't worry, be happy is a great prescription for adrenal burnout.

Many children today have weak adrenals due to their parents' nutritional deficiencies. By age three or four, these children are in burnout. They are often sick, depressed and have difficulty in school.

Symptoms of Adrenal Burnout

Low blood sugar and allergies result from low levels of cortisol. Joint and muscle pain are other common symptoms. Multiple chemical sensitivity is an extreme allergic condition associated with adrenal burnout. Low blood pressure and low body temperature may also result. Later blood pressure rises as toxic substances build up in the arteries and kidneys.

Elevated copper and low zinc related to adrenal burnout impair the immune system. Chronic infections may develop and for degenerative conditions and the stage is now set. Cancer and heart disease, and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are end-stage results of toxic accumulation and energy depletion.

Often secondary to adrenal exhaustion are glandular imbalances, both hyper and hypothyroidism. The adrenal glands produce estrogen and progesterone. Premenstrual syndrome and hot flashes have to do with the adrenal glands.

Depression and apathy are common in adrenal burnout. One may lose interest in friends, family and work. Unsure if there is energy to get through the day, anxiety may occur. Irritability is common as one is less able to handle even minor stress. Many people with adrenal burnout function on anger and resentment. These act as adrenal stimulants, providing energy with which to function.

Compulsiveness is associated with adrenal burnout. Excessive exercise, sex, loud music or other forms of excitement can contribute. The unconscious goal is always the same, to stimulate the adrenals into activity.

When the adrenals are weak, copper builds up in the body. Elevated copper enhances emotions. Panic attacks and bipolar disorder, mood swings and schizophrenia are related to copper imbalance. Also affecting the nervous system are other toxic metals. Mercury, cadmium and lead contribute to impaired thinking and emotional instability.

Myths about Adrenal Burnout

Burnout is psychological: Burnout is a breakdown of the energy system of the body. Vital minerals are depleted or burned out and replaced by toxic metals. Psychological stress may be a cause and burnout can affect one's emotions and behavior. However, BURNOUT ITSELF IS BIOCHEMICAL. Recovery may involve improving emotions and dealing with psychological issues. However, it also involves rebuilding body chemistry because it is a physical condition as well.
People in burnout have no energy and cannot sustain good energy at work. : Many in burnout hold full-time jobs. They may appear in good health. However, they are often tired or stressed. They may require stimulants in order to keep going. Some bury themselves in their work to forget how tired they feel.
Vigorous exercise is good for burnout: Vigorous exercise can be attractive to those in burnout. Exercise temporarily makes them feel better. While it may provide a boost, in the long run vigorous exercise further exhausts their bodies. People in burnout need to reduce exercise, often to a minimum in order to conserve their energy and allow their adrenals to rebuild. Exercise requires energy and adrenal reserves that people in burnout do not have.
A vacation, a diet, or a nutritional supplement will cause recovery from burnout: Most people never recover from burnout. Recovery requires a strong commitment to healing. A number of natural therapies are often required. Recovery takes at least several years. If faster recovery occurs, it was not a case of adrenal burnout.
Burnout occurs mainly in men: In fact, it is more common in women. This is due mainly to social - lifestyle changes. Many women now work outside the home and raise the children as well. Many are in single-parent homes or both parents work just to pay the taxes. Women have more sluggish oxidation rates to begin with, so burnout may be less apparent in women, but it is just as common or more so than in men.
Burnout only occurs in those in high-stress jobs: Burnout occurs in all groups, regardless of occupation, income or educational level. In fact, many homeless people are burned out. This helps account for why they may give up hope or be incapable of holding a job or supporting a home.
Burnout occurs only in adults: In fact, it is common today in children and even babies. Children are being nutritionally depleted and toxic as a result of the ill health of the parents. This can be measured with mineral analysis. Minimal brain dysfunction, chronic ear or other infections, crib death, failure to thrive, ADHD and anti-social behavior may all be symptoms of burnout in children.
Burnout affects only physical health: Burnout affects every area of life. Family and work are often affected. Relationships often suffer. One may lose interest in everyone and everything. There simply is not enough energy available for others or for activities beyond those required for survival. Friends, family and employers are often unaware of what is occurring, which only worsens the situation.
A hectic lifestyle causes burnout: This may be one cause. However, a hectic lifestyle can also be a result of burnout. Excessive activity, overwork and a very busy life can be a way to stimulate one into action, a compensation for feelings of exhaustion. When such a person stops working and running around, they will feel just how exhausted and perhaps depressed that they really are.
Overwork for years causes burnout: This is possible. However, it can occur due to a single shock or just a few traumas that occur together. It may also not be related to any single trauma or activity. Often a combination of factors causes burnout.

Whether one goes into burnout from an illness, accident, divorce, overwork or other stress depends very much on one's ability to handle stress, rather than the absolute amount of stress.
Burnout is an overused term without a scientific basis: Just because burnout doesn't show up on x-rays or standard blood tests does not mean it is not real. Burnout can be measured and quantified using tissue mineral testing. The term is not overused. In fact it is greatly underused. A large percentage of the population is in burnout and it would be helpful if physicians understood it better even if they have no cure.
Plenty of sleep will take care of burnout: Unfortunately, this is not so. The body is unable to regenerate its energy during sleep. Waking up tired after 8-10 hours of sleep is a primary symptom of burnout. Like a dead battery, the body does not recharge itself during sleep. An interesting principle of health is that one can only regenerate during sleep in proportion to the energy one has. Those in burnout are overtired which interferes with the restorative power of their sleep.
Cleaning out toxins will take care of burnout: The accumulation of toxins that occurs as the body can no longer remove them properly contributes to burnout. Exposure to toxic metals or chemicals can be an important factor in burnout. Eliminating them is helpful.

However, energy is required to release toxins. If the energy system is weak, just fasting or detoxifying will not be enough. One must rebuild the entire energy system by balancing body chemistry and providing nutrients as well. A one-month or even six-month cleanse is nowhere near adequate. It can take a year just to replenish one mineral. For those in burnout, extreme detoxification programs such as fasting, raw foods or even chelating agents can be dangerous. This is because the body lacks the vitality to properly eliminate toxins, the eliminative organs are compromised and toxins may be redistributed in vital organs. A gentle, complete program of rebuilding and nourishing the body must accompany any efforts to eliminate toxins. In fact, as vitality improves, toxin elimination will proceed on its own.
One will come out of burnout when one changes whatever factor or behavior caused the burnout: This is not how it works. As one goes into burnout, vital minerals become depleted and toxic substances replace them. They become part of the structure of enzymes and body organs and glands. Although one changes one's diet, lifestyle, attitudes or behavior, the toxins remain.

Often, burnout does not even set in until several years after a trauma, illness or injury as depleted and damaged cells proliferate. Though many change their diets and get over their traumas, most people never recover from burnout, or make only a partial recovery.
To recover from burnout just reestablish close communication with those who are close to you: This is the prescription for burnout in one popular book. However, this is not enough. Communication is also difficult when one is in burnout. Burnout can greatly affect one's attitudes, outlook and perceptions, making real communication very difficult. Low energy by itself can impair communication. Lack of understanding of the problem by partners, friends and others can also impair communication.
To get out of burnout, one needs to get back in touch with oneself: This is not enough for recovery. Also, getting in touch is difficult due to toxins in the brain. These produce odd feelings, low self-esteem and negative attitudes that often accompany burnout. Many people in burnout become overly introspective, which can make them worse as they get in touch with all their problems.
One can recover from burnout in matter of months: It takes at least two years and often longer. Layers of adaptations and compensations must be undone. Each adaptation uses up energy so that when one begins correction, there is little energy to work with. This slows progress and is one reason correction takes several years.

Also, twenty or thirty minerals must often be replenished, a time-consuming process even assuming that one is ingesting all needed nutrients. Eliminating toxins that have become integral parts of the organs and glands also takes time, like rebuilding a house. If the process occurred too rapidly, one would become very ill.

If recovery occurs in months the condition was not burnout. Often , a small recovery can feel like a cure when it is not. Those in burnout need an overhaul, not a tune up. One needs to commit to doing whatever it takes and devoting a few years to healing. This needs to become one's primary occupation or job for a while, allowing all other interests and activities to become secondary to the commitment to healing.
Burnout is not an important medical problem unless the stress of burnout causes high blood pressure or another symptom: Burnout is degenerative exhaustion. It sets the stage for all degenerative diseases, because energy is a common denominator of health. All illnesses start with fatigue. The body is like a newer car with power steering, power brakes and power windows. When the power goes down, the entire car stops working right. Burnout is a serious medical problem, although symptoms may be vague and unrelated to a specific disease.
Burnout is new phenomenon: In fact, burnout is as old as humanity. It can even help understand the rise and fall of civilizations. Nations often change over time. Repressive traditions can in time lead nations into burnout. Constant wars as occurred in Europe can contribute to burnout. Toxic exposure like lead water pipes can contribute to burnout. Vegetarian diets or destructive religious ideas, as in countries like India, can be a factor. Oppressive economic systems can contribute in some nations.

The process can be cumulative because children born to burned out parents continue the pattern until the entire group goes into burnout. Melting pot nations like America have an advantage in this regard. New immigrants are often the more ambitious ones that are in better health and can help rejuvenate the population. Also, nations that emphasize freedom and individual rights allow people to devise better ways of coping and maintaining their health.

Recovery

Recovery from burnout is certainly possible. It takes several years and usually requires a change in diet, improving one's lifestyle, nutritional supplements, detoxification procedures and attention to one's emotional and spiritual health.. Addressing all these aspects is the way to assure success.

Diet

Diet is an important factor for everyone. Eat protein with every meal. Eggs, natural meats and poultry are the best sources of protein. Toasted almond butter and nuts are other good sources. Avoid vegetarian diets. At lunch and supper, have three cooked vegetables. Rotate your proteins and your vegetables so you don't eat the same thing every day.

You may have complex carbohydrates, but not wheat and spelt. Some people are also sensitive to gluten found in rye, barley and oats. Excellent starches are root vegetables (turnips, parsnips, rutabaga, carrots, onion and celery root), blue corn, brown rice, quinoa and others. Organic blue corn chips are fine.

We recommend everyone avoid wheat, spelt, sugar and cow's milk dairy products. If other food allergies are present, avoid these foods for a while. Avoid Isolated soy protein as it is of poor quality and contains many anti-nutrients. Reduce all sweets, eat very little fruit and avoid all junk food. Avoid all vegetable oils except for olive oil. Avoid all juices. They are too yin, most are too sugary and they can concentrate food toxins, upset blood sugar and weaken the adrenals. Use sea salt rather than table salt. Eat regular meals of excellent quality. Switch to organic food whenever possible.

Excellent are green foods like barley grass powder and various colored vegetables. Cooking with coconut oil is excellent and helps as well with weight loss, Candida and energy.

Drink high quality water, not from the tap. Distilled or spring waters are best. So-called drinking water or reverse osmosis are often not good as the filters used to make them may be dirty. Good quality water is an excellent investment in yourself.

Avoid all extreme diets. Your body needs a variety of nutrients. Restriction is not a good idea. In our experience, strict vegetarians will never recover from burnout. Follow good eating habits with regular, sit-down, relaxed meals.

Nutrients and Lifestyle for recovery

Food supplements are necessary. Kelp granules and nutritional yeast are excellent supplements for most people. They are rich sources of nutrients and kelp assists detoxification. Other nutrients that are very important for adrenal activity are vitamins A, B, C, E, pantothenic acid (B5) and adrenal glandular substance. Calcium and magnesium are often needed. A digestive aid is always needed. We recommend pancreatin and ox bile. Zinc is frequently needed. Other nutrients may be needed depending on one's level of toxic metals and other symptoms or deficiencies. We recommend hair mineral testing along with symptoms to assess these needs.

Rest and sleep are extremely important. Plan on nine hours of sleep for at least a few years. At times, more may be needed. Sleep is not a waste of time. There is no substitute for adequate rest. Also rest after meals, at mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Gentle walking is beneficial. Vigorous exertion depletes the adrenals. Deep breathing and stretching, yoga or tai chi do not deplete the body. Exercise to relax rather than to build muscles.

Cleaning up your environment assists health recovery. Replace toxic chemical products used around the house. Non-toxic alternatives are available for cleaning and as solvents. Pesticides and herbicides are often extremely toxic. Chemical hair dyes, shampoos and toxic skin care products need to be replaced.

Ventilate your house and purify the air if needed. Often very toxic is new construction. At work and at home avoid toxic exposure. Turn off televisions and computers when they are not in use. Sleep away from these appliances. Use cell phones only when absolutely needed.

Detoxification

Sauna therapy in particular will greatly enhance and speed up recovery. The best type is an infrared electric light sauna. If you are in adrenal burnout, use the sauna daily for no more than 30 minutes. Once or twice a week is excellent for prevention.

Other detoxification procedures are also very good. Brush your skin whenever you bathe with a skin brush or loofa. Colonic irrigation and herbs for the liver and kidneys can help improve elimination.

Chiropractic, massage and reflexology can help reduce stress. Many natural therapies help realign and rebalance the body. Making these part of your lifestyle will enhance recovery.

Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Health

Often it is necessary to grow out of burnout. A key to recovery from burnout is improving values and attitudes. They play an important part in every single case. Negative thinking is a bad habit that eventually tears down the body. Worry, fear and anger place added stress on the glands. Many techniques there are to help shift one's thinking. Inspirational books and tapes, seminars and therapies there are many. There is no single answer right for everyone.

Searching for love outside of yourself depletes the body's energy. Find the love inside yourself first, and you will find the right activities and companions. Burnout may result if you are awakening spiritually. Your present work and lifestyle may simply be inappropriate. Consider different employment or work arrangements if you suspect your stress comes from your work.

Relationships can cause a lot of stress. When one partner goes into burnout, the other often does not understand. Many couples become energetically incompatible. This has nothing to do with love or caring. It is important to listen to the wisdom of the body, and not be blinded by fixed ideas.

Many tools there are to help one relax and tune in to the wisdom of the self. In addition to traditional therapy, meditation and visualization exercises may be most helpful. Slowing down is often necessary if you live a busy life. It can take great courage to realize that by doing less you can accomplish more. By staying home more, you can relate better with others. By resting more, you can be more creative and productive. Change often requires overcoming guilt, shame and feelings of laziness.

For spiritual orientation, we highly recommend A course in Miracles, Love Without End by Glenda Green, The Other Voice by Brent Haskell and The Real Self by this author. These and other books and tapes can help one rethink who am I, what is life about and why am I here.

The Blessing of Burnout

Adrenal burnout is always a wake up call. Some area of life is out of alignment. For a deeper exploration of self, it is often the starting point. Rather than just existing as a programmed zombie, adrenal burnout may be the beginning of real living.

The Catabolic Criminal

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:35:20 +0100

Cortisol blockers can help regulate this tricky hormone.

By Karen McGeorge Sanders

Muscle & Body Magazine, Oct. 2007

It lurks inside. A hormone that hates your muscles and wants you to be fat.

This catabolic criminal is called cortisol, a hormone that rises with emotional, mental and physical stresses. And if this criminal isn’t stopped, the only thing that gets arrested is your development.

Any type of stress can increase cortisol in your system, even weight training. As you strength-train, homroncortisol levels increase and the protein in your muscles is reduced. Even worse is overtraining, since overworking your muscles can actually cause muscle breakdown.
“Think of cortisol as borrowing protein from the muscles,” says Emily Cooper, MD, a family and sports-medicine physician who heads Seattle Performance Medicine. “The problem occurs with athletes who never pay back the loan.”

What Is Cortisol?

Produced by the adrenal cortex, the steroid hormone cortisol (aka the stress hormone) is necessary for proper metabolic function, helping to control carbohydrate metabolism, cardiovascular function and inflammation. Problems occur when cortisol elevates beyond normal levels. Too much cortisol can lead to muscle breakdown, bone mass loss, weight gain and increased abdominal fat.
Rising cortisol levels can cause muscle-tissue breakdown, as the protein released has its amino acids converted into glucose for energy. Cortisol also inhibits the synthesis of new protein, meaning no new muscle is being built.

Controlling Cortisol

Here are some key ways to help control cortisol.
Do not overtrain. Workouts should be completed within an hour, remembering to add intensity gradually. Symptoms of overtraining include muscle soreness, fatigue, moodiness and insomnia.
Rest your body between workout days. Do not work the same muscle groups multiple days in a row. “It takes about 48 hours for the body to recover from a heavy strength-training session,” explains Cooper. “If you work out within 24 hours of the initial session, the body stays in the muscle-breakdown stage.”
Watch your diet. “Overtraining is a nutritional deposit shortage,” states Cooper. She suggests eating multiple meals of high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, fruits and veggies, monounsaturated fats and essential fatty acids. An article in Nutrition Research showed that restricting calories by 50% raised cortisol by 38%.
Get plenty of sleep. Make sure you get in eight hours per night.
Spike insulin levels post-workout. “Insulin interferes with cortisol and may enhance cortisol clearance from the body,” says Rehan Jalali, president of the Supplement Research Foundation. “Consuming a high-glycemic-index carbohydrate and protein drink after a work-out may help minimize excessive cortisol levels.”
Relax and avoid additional stressors. Minimize stresses in your life, such as job and family difficulties. Try learning breathing techniques, such as those taught in yoga.

Cortisol Blockers: An Action Plan
The following can help you in the battle against the stress hormone.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) This phospholipid is the supplement that’s best known for reducing cortisol. Studies have shown that PS can reduce cortisol levels by 20% or more. Take from 300–800 mg total of PS twice per day, before exercise and bedtime. The bedtime dose is important since weight?lifters can have higher levels of cortisol during sleep.
Vitamin C Studies have shown that vitamin C may lower cortisol and modulate stress. Take 1,000 mg per day in multiple doses before exercise, post-workout and at bedtime.
ZMA Zinc is involved in more than 100 enzymatic reactions, so insufficient amounts of zinc can interfere with resting metabolism rate. Follow label recommendations and use before training and bedtime.
Epimedium (horny goat weed) Known for boosting sex drive, this herb is thought to work through modulation of cortisol, allowing enhanced exercise recovery. Take two or three times daily for a dosage of 250–1,000 mg total.
Magnolia Bark The Chinese have long used this herb to relieve stress and enhance energy. Take 250–750 mg of extract standardized to 1–2% honokiol and magnolol.
As research continues, other supplements may be suggested, including Ginkgo biloba, DHEA, vitamin A and green tea.

Hair Loss Solutions with Essential Oils

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:45:24 +0100

When people lose their hair it can be devastating, whatever the reason. There are many causes for hair loss.

Alopecia (the medical term for hair loss), can be related to different things such as genetics, hormones, drugs, or illness.

And there are many types of alopecia. Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that causes patchy baldness (this not the "male pattern baldness"hair loss). It affects men and women and is most likely caused by an inflammatory immune response often followed by stress.

This is the type of hair loss that can respond to the use of essential oils. A 1998 study was done with 84 people who had been diagnosed with alopecia areata who used essential oil applications to their scalp:

Cedarwood (2 drops)
Lavender (3 drops)
Rosemary (3 drops)
Thyme (2 drops)
Placed in carrier oil mix of jojoba (3 mL) and
grapeseed (20 ml)

Note: All of these oils have been used to treat alopecia for more
than a century.

Researcher Isabelle C. Hay and colleagues from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland ran this study and had
half the group use this essential oil mixture and the other half use a plain carrier oil. Testing was done several times in during the seven month trial by photography and scalp measurements.

Of those receiving active treatment, 44 percent significantly improved, while 15 percent using placebo improved.

One male patient with alopecia areata as well as severe male pattern hair loss saw improvement in both areas after using the essential oil blend. These results suggest that one or more of the essential oils are biologically able to promote hair growth.

Reprinted from "Home Spa Lady's Tips of the Week," a free
on how to Make Every Day A Spa Day. Subscribe at
http://www.HomeSpaLady.com

Reference:
Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of aromatherapy.
Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol .
1998;134(11):1349-1352.

Optimal Levels of Cortisol, Insulin and Thyroid are Essential to Vibrant Health

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:54:56 +0100

by Barbara Minton, Natural Health Editor
(NaturalNews)

People of today are seeking quality of life, in the midst of a polluted world, an onslaught of chemicals, and a medical establishment educated to reflect corporate interests rather than the interests of patients. They live in a country where the number one gross national product is stress. On top of that, they are the generation whose future is being diminished by the implementation globalism and the move toward one world government. Now more than ever, it is imperative for people to keep themselves at the peak of health, a peak that is based on a foundation of optimal and balanced hormone levels. It's this hormonal foundation that is the bedrock of support for people trying to live the life they want in today's world.

All the stress and chemicals in the environment along with poor diet choices have caused people to experience hormonal decline at an earlier and earlier age. Hormonal imbalance is showing up in men and women as early as the late 20's. Many people in their 30's are in unrecognized hormonal decline that saps their energy, causes weight gain, and makes their thinking foggy, rendering them into a state where they are unable to act in their own best interests. They are experiencing record levels of depression and sleeplessness. Their traditional physicians answer their symptoms with the prescription pad, adding even more chemicals to the pile without addressing the causes of these symptoms. This failure to address hormonal imbalance by the traditional medical establishment means that people who want to live a long, happy, disease-free life will need to intervene on their own.

Each of the hormones oversees an area of bodily processes, and each person is only as healthy as his or her weakest hormone. The hormonal orchestra requires optimal levels of each player. When one hormone is in decline, the imbalance means the rest will soon follow, causing a downward cascade of all bodily processes. Low levels of estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone lead to erratic production of thyroid, insulin, and cortisol. High cortisol levels and low thyroid levels cause weight gain even when you are eating less and exercising. When cortisol levels are high, sleep is impossible, but heart attack is a real possibility. Knowing what the major hormones do in the body and what happens when you start to lose them will make you aware of how critical they are to your overall health and well being. These hormones are called major because you can't live without them. When they fall out of balance, the risk of death is increased.

Cortisol is the body's stress hormone

Everybody has seen people with high cortisol levels. They are the ones who run around like maniacs trying to achieve. The super woman and the power executive are stereotypes of the high cortisol person. Cortisol is also the hormone of road rage.

Cortisol production increases in response to any stress in the body. It is the body's survival mechanism, pouring hormone when the fight or flight mechanism is engaged. Cortisol is what allows a mother to lift up a car to save her child. Or what powers a person running away from an attacker. It's cortisol that gives us the clarity of mind, swiftness and co-ordination of movement, enhanced strength and courage we need to see our way out of threatening situations. These threats can be physical, or psychological.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone made in the adrenal glands. It regulates blood pressure and cardiovascular function as well as the body's use of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. When cortisol is secreted, it causes a breakdown of muscle protein, leading to release of amino acids into the blood stream. These amino acids are used by the liver to synthesize glucose for energy. Cortisol leads to the release of energy from fat cells to be used by the muscles. These actions ensure that the brain and body have the energy resources they need for defense.

The problem comes when stress becomes chronic, causing the adrenal glands to continuously produce cortisol. This can lead to overtaxed adrenals that eventually become unable to function. High cortisol levels prevent sleep. When you don't sleep, more hormonal imbalance will follow and the stage becomes set for the onset of degenerative disease. One of the primary causes of continuous physiological stress in women is declining hormone levels. Low estrogen level in the body puts it under a tremendous and continuous stress load. When female hormones are replaced, the ability to sleep returns even in the face of continuing exogenous stress.

There are people who seem to seek out stressful situations and like living on the edge. The continuous flow of cortisol becomes addictive when it translates into feelings of power and euphoria. These people are on their way to adrenal exhaustion. If adrenal exhaustion gets to be severe, it can result in death. Signs of overtaxed adrenal glands are exhaustion, hair falling out, weight gain, irritability, and probably the most telltale sign of all, skin rashes and acne.

When cortisol is doing its job, life seems easy. Stress doesn't get you down or keep you awake. If cortisol levels are too low, the mood becomes affected. Anxiety begins its downward pull, and you are upset by things you normally would just ignore. Feeling paralyzed between confrontation and escape is a sign of low cortisol as is inability to think clearly in a stressful situation.

Cortisol levels decline with age making it easier for older people to end up with adrenal fatigue. It becomes particularly important at this stage to be able to manage stress effectively. People who are unable to manage their stress for long periods of time are subject to heart attack, stroke and cancer. When stress levels are continuously high as they are in modern life, there is little extra cortisol left to use in your defense when you really need it. If you are unable to bounce back after a particularly stressful physical or psychological encounter, a time out period or a vacation is needed.

Lupus, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, sugar or salt cravings, digestive problems and allergies may indicate high cortisol. Other symptoms are feeling overly stressed, confusion, skin problems, respiratory difficulties, difficulty concentrating, and indifference toward sex.

Weight gain is a problem of low cortisol. People with fatigued adrenal glands from excessive production of cortisol tend to overeat as a way to bolster sagging energy levels. They frequently crave high calorie processed foods because those will prompt a quick energy release. Unfortunately, that quick energy boost is then followed by an even greater energy sag.

Cortisol secretion is promoted by the presence of even the tiniest bit of light. This is why it is so important to sleep in a room that is completely dark with no 'glow in the dark' alarm clock. Researchers did a study of one hundred subjects who were placed in a completely dark room with the exception of a pin point of light on the back of their knees. Cortisol levels rose in each subject as a result.

Bio-identical cortisol is available by prescription as a last resort for adrenal exhaustion. It needs to be taken religiously four times every day to be effective.

Insulin has a profound effect on aging

Everybody's heard about insulin as it relates to diabetes. Even so, many Americans continue to push their bodies closer to the brink of this disease by overeating processed carbohydrates. They are so addicted to these foods that they refused to admit to themselves that these foods cause diabetes. They prefer to see it as a disease that just happened to single them out for no reason.

Insulin and low blood sugar problems are often the cause of fatigue, irritability, depression, mood swings, poor memory, poor co-ordination, dizziness, and the craving for sweets. Extremely low blood sugar makes you feel like a wet noodle, as though your legs are about to collapse and hurl you to the floor. If blood sugar gets low enough, you will pass and be at risk of death.

Blood sugar (glucose) is the fuel for the body. Balanced blood sugar levels generate mental clarity and ease of physical activity. Excessive intake of grains and other carbohydrates, particularly processed carbohydrates, can create havoc with this balance. All carbohydrates break down into sugar in the body and cause a roller-coaster reaction, destabilizing blood sugar levels.

Insulin is secreted by the pancreas to control the sugar level in the blood. It moves sugar into the cells for use in energy production. When the body is flooded with sugar, the pancreas responds with high insulin production, driving so much sugar into the cells that the levels in the blood become too low, resulting in plummeting energy levels and mood swings. In time, this constant overproduction of insulin creates serious metabolic disturbances throughout the body, including insulin resistance and diabetes.

Elevated insulin levels cause the body to have difficulty breaking down fat, promoting weight gain. Increased blood pressure and free radical activity follow, accelerating aging and the development of disease. Insulin resistance and pre-diabetes have finally been linked to the onset of menopause in journals such as the Journal of Metabolism and Endocrinology, and the Journal of Reproductive Medicine.

The bedrock of protection against the high tide of insulin in the body is hormonal balance. After hormones have become balanced, diet becomes another important part of the health regimen with its emphasis on eating whole foods rather than foods that are processed. Carbohydrates should never be eaten alone, but always in conjunction with protein foods. A good rule of thumb is that grams of carbohydrates in any form should not exceed grams of protein at any meal. This makes a chocolate bar with nuts a much better choice than a plain chocolate bar. It seems to go against common sense that a cookie eaten alone will cause greater weight gain that a cookie eaten with a chicken leg, but the chicken leg slows the insulin response to a more normal level. Five minutes of moderate exercise following a meal will also significantly reduce the insulin response.

Foods in their raw state do not product the high level of insulin response that is produced from cooked foods. Anyone who eats carbohydrates unbalanced by protein will probably not achieve the best results from their hormone balancing efforts. Keeping the body well mineralized with supplements such as alfalfa also helps to slow the insulin response.

The thyroid is the master gland of metabolism

Thyroid is the most important hormone since it stimulates cellular energy production. The production of the all other hormones will be impacted when thyroid hormone declines. Every aspect of health will be affected by a poorly functioning thyroid including weight, mental outlook, body temperature, energy level, and the quality of hair and skin. Symptoms of low thyroid hormone are unexplained weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, irregular heartbeat, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, chronic pain, constipation, frequent infections, brittle nails, muscle weakness, low blood pressure, head congestion and sinus problems, joint or muscle pain, hoarseness, and more. Low thyroid levels slow metabolism and energy production. This is why people with low thyroid hormone are always cold, constipated and gain weight without increasing the amount of food they eat.

Selenium is needed for the proper conversion of thyroid hormone. Unbalanced estrogen suppresses thyroid function. Unbalanced estrogen also suppresses thyroid function. Mercury is a thyroid gland contaminate. Stress causes decreased adrenal gland function and prevents the thyroid from functioning optimally.

At the center of each cell is the mitochondria, often referred to as the cellular furnace. It is in this furnace that cellular energy is produced, and it is thyroid hormone that stokes the furnace. Without enough thyroid hormone, the fire begins to go out. This is why old people seem so listless and their simplest movement seems like such a chore. It is as though they have run out of energy and come to a standstill. Younger people also frequently show symptoms of low cellular energy. These are the people who fall asleep in meeting and while reading a book. When cellular energy gets low enough, you literally cannot stay awake and will eventually die.

Thyroid problems develop at any age and usually go so slowly as to remain unnoticed in the beginning. At least 27 million Americans are estimated to have an undiagnosed thyroid problem, and most of them are females. Depression and panic attacks are additional symptoms of thyroid problems that seem to plague only women. If you are tired when you get up after a good night's sleep or need a nap or two to get through the day, you may have a thyroid problem. Hair falls out and beauty suffers when thyroid hormone is low. The wisdom of the body redirects the hormone away from hair, nails and skin for use in more critical processes.

Most traditional physicians are reluctant to consider thyroid functioning at all. When they do, the standard of care for people with symptoms is to be administered a thyroid hormone stimulating test (TSH). The thinking is that a low score on the TSH usually means the body is isn't trying to stimulate thyroid production so therefore thyroid production must be OK. A high score on the TSH usually means the thyroid is not functioning well and that's why the body is trying to stimulate it. Needless to say, this approach misses a lot. The best way to see what your thyroid is up to is to insist on blood testing of TSH, and T3 and T4, the thyroid hormones.

Low thyroid can easily be corrected by adding natural, bio-identical thyroid hormone to the amount being produced by the body. Armour Thyroid is available by prescription. It is thyroid from pigs which is the exact bio-equivalent of thyroid produced by humans. It will be recognized by the body as a natural substance and no side effects will be produced. Most traditional physicians try to convince their patients to use synthetic thyroid replacements, so be prepared to be assertive if you want to use only natural substances.

Sources:www.naturalnews.com

Uzzi Reiss, M.D./O.B.-GYN, Natural Hormone Balance for Women.

T. S. Wiley, Lights Out.

Sabre Sciences, About Hormones.

Herb Slavin, M.D., Phillip Lee Miller, M.D., and Gordon Reynolds, M.D., interviewed by Suzanne Summers, Ageless.

Suzanne Summers, Breakthrough.

Balance Your Hormones To Help With Acne

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:32:45 +0100

It is common knowledge that acne is caused by oily skin but few people know what causes that shine on your face and especially the T-zone. The oil is due to high levels of a hormone named androgen. However, since a normal secretion of androgen gives a healthy skin, therefore it cannot be completely done away with either.

The hormones are most actively produced during puberty, hence the oily skin and acne. Now the question that arises is how to balance ones hormones to help with acne.

Now hormones in our body can be balanced by different methods like having a balanced diet, avoiding stress and getting enough exercise. However, external methods include some treatments that may help to correct the imbalance as well.

There is a disparity in your body when the superfluous hormones and toxins from your body do not drain out. This function is usually performed by the liver and kidneys and what aids these organs to do so are a balanced diet that gives the essential nutrients. These nutrients regulate the glands and hence help you get a blemish free skin.

If you notice carefully you will see that too much stress can also cause an unexpected outbreak of acne. This is because stress triggers the production of hormones that cause the pimples. One easy way to relieve oneself from stress is of course exercise, and the added advantage is that it is also good for the rest of your body.
External treatments for balancing hormones that people can opt for can be allopathic as well as alternative medicine like an herbal treatment.

Once the doctor has determined that the acne caused is due to a hormonal imbalance he/she might recommend birth control pills for women as they restrain the androgens. However, if the problem is acute then the doctor might also suggest corticosteroids.

Many herbs like black cohosh, evening primrose, red clover, chaste berry, licorice etc can be used both on males and females to balance their hormones However, personal experimentation is advised against and the patient should always consult a doctor before starting this treatment.

Finally this treatment is only possible if you get a thorough checkup of your hormone levels, and people who have an acute acne problem should go for a regular checkup to see the condition and improvement.
Hormone level testing can be done by saliva testing and blood spot testing.

Adrenal Burnout

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:29 +0100

Adrenal Exhaustion

Adrenal Fatigue is becoming a national epidemic. Exhaustion that never goes away no matter how much you rest or sleep is the main symptom of adrenal weakness or adrenal exhaustion or burnout. This article examines the causes, and symptoms.

WHAT ARE THE ADRENAL GLANDS?

The adrenal glands are rounded, disc-shaped glands about 3-4 inches across. One sits atop each kidney, located on either side of your lower back, just above where the ribs end.

The adrenal glands are essential for life. They secrete a number of hormones that prepare our bodies to respond to stress.

These include adrenalin, also called epinephrine, noradrenalin, also called norepinephrine, cortisol and cortisone. The adrenal glands also produce aldosterone, estrogens, testosterone, progesterone, pregnenelone and DHEA.

These hormones regulate many body activities. The adrenal hormones, particularly adrenalin and cortisol, activate the body’s fight-or-flight response. This may include increasing the amount of glucose or sugar in the blood, raising blood pressure, and promoting increased energy production. The adrenal glands are stimulated by activity of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic or automatic nervous system of the body. This is the part of our nervous system that activates when we must respond to threats to our life.

What is Adrenal Exhaustion?

The adrenal glands may develop various problems or conditions.

Cushing’s disease: Severe overactivity or hyperfunction of the glands is called Cushing’s syndrome or Cushing’s disease. It is characterized by a ‘moon face’, obesity in the trunk, muscle weakness, poor wound healing, kidney stones and often psychological symptoms.
This condition is relatively rare and usually caused by a tumor of the adrenal glands that secretes cortisol or cortisone, two of the important adrenal hormones.

Addison’s disease: Extremely low adrenal activity is known as Addison’s disease. It is characterized by weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, changes in skin color, dehydration, anorexia, nausea, decreased cold tolerance and dizziness. It is also a fairly rare condition. Addison’s disease is also caused at times by a tumor on the adrenal glands that shuts down the glands completely. It may also be caused by a severe shock to the system, as happened in the famous case of John F. Kennedy.

President Kennedy developed Addison’s disease when his small patrol boat was suddenly rammed by a Japanese destroyer on a dark night during World War II. Most of the crew was killed instantly. He survived, but the shock damaged his body severely.

Adrenal burnout syndrome: Adrenal burnout syndrome is basically a mild form of Addison’s disease. It is a low functioning or underactivity of the adrenal glands. It may also be termed adrenal insufficiency or adrenal exhaustion. It differs from Addison’s disease in several important ways:

1. In most cases, it can be corrected using natural methods.

2. In most cases, the cause is not a single shock to the system, as with Addison’s disease. Instead, it is usually a slow decline in adrenal activity due to nutritional deficiencies and the accumulation of toxic metals and chemicals in the body. As these causes are removed, the adrenal glands easily recover.

3. Unlike Addison’s disease, adrenal insufficiency or burnout is very, very common today, especially among adults. However, few physicians are prepared to diagnose it.

Fatigue versus adrenal burnout: Adrenal burnout syndrome differs from simple fatigue in that burnout is not relieved by getting a few good nights sleep, as is the case with fatigue.
This is the case because adrenal exhaustion is not just a sleep deficit, although that may be an aspect of the syndrome. Burnout is a deeper derangement of the body’s energy-producing system, of which fatigue is one symptom.

DETECTING ADRENAL BURNOUT

Unfortunately, when a patient complains of fatigue, depression or other symptoms that are often related to the adrenal glands, most of the time the doctor does not ask the right questions and does not run tests of the adrenal glands. Instead, patients are told to take a vacation, or given an anti-depressant, or told it is “in their head”. The right questions, however, would often be enough to assess the condition fairly accurately. These would include “How many hours of sleep are you getting?” , “Do you use caffeine or other stimulants” and “What other symptoms are you having?”. Let us examine how this can often identify adrenal burnout, even without other testing.

Signs and symptoms. A simple and quite reliable way to assess adrenal burnout in a general sense is with signs and symptoms. A common sign, for example, is a low blood pressure in the absence of other obvious causes.
Usually, the person will also often feel fatigued, even though one sleeps well. If one is not sleeping, the problem may simply be a sleep deficit. One may not feel tired, however, if you drink coffee, other caffeinated beverages or use other stimulants.
Another common symptom is depression. Others include joint pain, cravings for sweets, pain in the low back area and perhaps excessive thirst or craving for sweet and salty foods. Together these symptoms can help one decide if one needs further testing.

What Are The Causes of Adrenal Burnout?

Excessive stress, an important cause of burnout, can be from many sources. Chemical toxicity and nutritional depletion are among the physical causes. Mental, emotional or spiritual stress may be a major factor. Financial, family or other stress may also contribute to burnout.
Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals, especially when weakened by poor nutrition. Working too much or emotional stress are two common causes. Excessive stimulation, especially for children, is another cause. Fast-paced, high-stress, fear-based lifestyles are a sure prescription for adrenal burnout.
Other stressors in cities are noise and electromagnetic pollution. Cell phones, microwave towers and appliances like televisions, microwave ovens and computers give off strong electrical fields.

Nutritional Deficiencies are a common cause. When under stress, the need for nutrients is much greater. Carbohydrates, when excessive in the diet, stress the adrenals. Diets low in protein may also create deficiencies. Inadequate or poor quality water affects oxygenation of the tissues.
Most diets are low in nutrients required by the adrenals. These include B-complex vitamins, vitamins A, C and E, manganese, zinc, chromium, selenium and other trace elements.
The reasons for this begin with how food is grown. Most food is grown on depleted soils. Processing and refining further deplete nutrients.
Habits such as eating in the car or while on the run further diminish the value derived from food. Also, allergic reactions to foods such as wheat and dairy products can damage the intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients.

Toxic metals and chemicals often play a large role in adrenal burnout. Everyone is exposed to thousands of chemicals in the air, the water and the food. Other sources are dental materials and skin contact with chemicals. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications add to the body’s toxic load. Most people do not realize that antibiotics and many other drugs accumulate to some extent in the liver and other organs.
Toxins may also be generated within the body due to impaired digestion. When food is not properly digested, it either ferments or rots in the intestines, producing many harmful substances that are absorbed into the body.
A healthy body has the ability to eliminate many toxins on a daily basis. However, as adrenal weakness develops, the body’s ability to eliminate all toxins decreases. This produces a vicious cycle in which weaker adrenals impairs the elimination of all poisons, which then further weakens the adrenals.

Chronic infections play a critical role in some cases of adrenal exhaustion. Chronic infections may originate in infected teeth or gums, though they can be located anywhere in the body.
They contribute greatly to the toxic load of the body. Infections also cause inflammation and stress that must be countered using the adrenal hormones such as cortisol and cortisone.

Stimulants damage the adrenal glands. They whip the adrenals. Caffeine, sugar and alcohol are among the most common stimulants.
Less obvious but no less important stimulants may include anger, rage, arguing, hatred, loud music, fearful news and even movies full of suspense or violence.
Other activities that may act as stimulants and must not be overlooked include vigorous exercise, sexual preoccupations, recreational drug use or other thrills. These often provide a temporary “high”, which is caused in part by the secretion of high amounts of adrenal hormones. However, over time, this weakens the adrenals and can eventually lead to adrenal depletion and insufficiency.

Stimulant use, however, can also be a result of adrenal burnout. While stimulants can cause or contribute to adrenal weakness, some who use stimulants do so because they are in adrenal burnout already.
Stimulants are attractive to one in burnout to provide temporary energy. This is an important appeal of the drug culture, both legal and recreational. It is also the appeal of loud music, sexual addiction, and even anger.
These activities or attitudes can provide enough adrenal stimulation to allow a person to feel better temporariy. This is an important reason why giving up one’s addictions can be difficult.
When one gives them up, one must face the fact that one is exhausted, depressed and often just feels awful due to adrenal burnout. It is safe to say that most people addicted to stimulants or other drugs including cigarettes, cocaine, marijuana, and others has some degree of adrenal insufficiency.

Unhealthy responses to stress are another cause of adrenal burnout. These include habits of worrying, or becoming angry or afraid.
Don’t worry, be happy is a great prescription for adrenal burnout. This applies particularly to high strung, nervous individuals and those with very active minds, as they are especially prone to adrenal burnout.

Congenital Weak adrenals. Many children today are born with weak adrenals due to their parents’ nutritional deficiencies. This is not a genetic problem. Instead, it is due to the nutritional imbalances of the mother, in particular. These are passed through the placenta to the unborn child.
For example, if the mother is zinc-deficient, as most are, the baby is born low in zinc and often high in copper, cadmium or other minerals that substitute for zinc to a degree.
Fortunately, this means the problem can be corrected, though it is better to prevent it, of course.
By age three or four, these children are in burnout. They are often sick, depressed and have difficulty in school. Some of these children react to the situation by becoming hyperactive, compulsive, obsessive or by developing various other behavior problems.
On their hair mineral analyses, these children are often in a state of burnout at this early age, a relatively new phenomenon, in my experience. By gently rebuilding their body chemistry, however, their behavioral and other disorders generally vanish in a few months to a few years.

SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL BURNOUT

In addition to fatigue, weakness and often depression, symptoms often include a craving for sweets, low blood pressure and low blood sugar. Low energy impairs every system of the body. Thus, secondary symptoms can range from impaired digestion, aches and pains to chronic or recurring infections.

Emotional and mental symptoms. Often, emotional and psychological symptoms are present or even predominant. Depression is very common. Apathy, despair and even suicidal tendencies are also quite common.
Emotional instability, mood swings, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and irritability are also common symptoms associated with adrenal burnout syndrome. The world can look evil, one loses faith in people, and a hopeless attitude is not uncommon.
Compulsiveness and obsessive-compulsive tendencies may be associated with adrenal burnout. One may become addicted or very attracted to excessive exercise, sex, loud music or other forms of excitement. The unconscious goal is always the same, to stimulate the adrenals into activity.

Many areas of life affected. Adrenal burnout affects every area of life. One may lose interest in friends, family and work. Relationships often suffer when one person in the relationship goes into adrenal exhaustion.
Unfortunately, many with adrenal burnout function on anger and resentment. These act as adrenal stimulants, providing a negative energy with which to function. Most of the world, in fact, functions on the negative energy of anger.

Bigger implications. While it is beyond the scope of this article, entire nations can go into adrenal exhaustion as a result of wars, famines and other catastrophes. When this occurs, the attitudes of the people change, and with it the leaders they elect.
This has happened many times in history, and is an important hidden factor in our politics of today in America. For example, a population in burnout does not feel capable of taking care of themselves. They will vote for more and more government welfare programs, often bankrupting the nation, without understanding the consequences of their votes.

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF ADRENAL BURNOUT

Low cortisol symptoms. Low blood sugar, low blood pressure, low temperature, depression, joint pain and allergies may result from low levels of cortisol.
Multiple chemical sensitivity is an extreme allergic condition associated with adrenal burnout. Later, blood pressure may rise as toxic substances build up in the arteries and kidneys.

Copper toxicity and burnout. Elevated copper and low zinc related to adrenal burnout impair the immune system. Chronic infections may develop. The stage is also set for the development of degenerative conditions. Cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases may be end-stage results of toxic accumulation and energy depletion.

Thyroid imbalances and burnout. Often secondary to adrenal exhaustion are other glandular imbalances such as hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland and the adrenals have a very close relationship and stress on one always affects the other.
Much less common is the development of a secondary hyperthyroidism, or overactivity of the thyroid. This may be a compensation for low adrenals, as the condition will disappear as the adrenals are allowed to rest and rebuild.
The adrenal glands produce estrogen and progesterone. They are the main source of these hormones after menopause. Premenstrual syndrome and hot flashes often have to do with weakened adrenal glands.

Reduced cellular energy prodution. Depression and apathy are often the result of low energy production in the cells. Also, cortisol provides a natural ‘high’.
Thus, low cortisol can contribute to feelings of depression and even despair. Unsure if there is energy to get through the day, anxiety may occur. Irritability is common as one is less able to handle even minor stress.

Burnout and metal toxicity. When the adrenals are weak, copper builds up in the body. Elevated copper enhances emotions. Panic attacks, bipolar disorder, mood swings and schizophrenia are related to copper imbalance.
As one’s energy level declines, other toxic metals build up as well. Mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, beryllium and others contribute to hundreds of physical and emotional symptoms.

MYTHS ABOUT BURNOUT

Myth #1. Burnout is psychological. Burnout is a breakdown of the energy system of the body. Vital minerals are depleted or “burned out” (used up) and replaced by toxic metals.
Psychological stress may be a cause, and burnout can affect one’s emotions and behavior. However, burnout itself is biochemical, not only psychological.
Recovery may involve improving emotions and dealing with psychological issues. However, it also involves rebuilding body chemistry because it is a physical condition as well.

Myth #2. People in burnout have no energy and cannot work. Many in burnout hold full-time jobs or other active lifestyles.
They may also appear in good health. However, they are often tired or stressed. They may require stimulants in order to keep going. Some bury themselves in their work to forget how tired they feel. One can go on like this for years in some degree of adrenal burnout. This usually stops, however, when burnout gets very serious, as there is not enough energy to continue working hard and living a very active life.

Myth #3. Vigorous exercise is good for burnout. Vigorous exercise can be attractive to those in burnout. Exercise may temporarily make one feel better.
While it may provide a boost, vigorous exercise further exhausts the bodies of those in burnout. People in burnout need to reduce exercise, often to a minimum. This helps conserve their energy and helps to allow their adrenals to rebuild.
Exercise in moderation can assist circulation and oxygenation, factors that may help with burnout. However, excessive exercise of any kind uses up energy and adrenal reserves that individuals in burnout do not have and cannot afford to lose.

Myth #4. A vacation, a diet or a nutritional supplement can cause recovery from burnout. Most people never recover from burnout, although they could if they followed a nutritional balancing program to the letter.
Recovery also requires a strong commitment to healing. Recovery also takes at least several years. If one recovers faster, one was not in adrenal burnout.

Myth #5. Burnout occurs mainly in men. In fact, it is more common in women today. This is due mainly to lifestyle changes in women.
Many women now work outside the home and raise the children as well. Many are also in single-parent homes or both parents work just to pay the bills and taxes.
Women are also more prone to copper toxicity, thyroid imbalances and other factors that can contribute to adrenal burnout. Women also do not realize in most cases they are different from men and have greater needs for rest and sleep. For all these reasons, we see more burnout in women today than in men.

Myth #6. Burnout only occurs in those in high-stress jobs. Burnout occurs in all groups, regardless of occupation, income or educational level. In fact, many homeless people are burned out.
This helps account for why they may give up hope or be incapable of holding a job or supporting a home. In addition, burnout is a worldwide phenomenon today and is not limited to certain parts of the globe.

Myth #7. Burnout occurs only in adults. In fact, it is common today in children and even babies. Most children today are being born nutritionally depleted and toxic as a result of the ill health of the parents. This can be measured with mineral analysis.
Minimal brain dysfunction, chronic ear or other infections, crib death, delayed development, learning disorders, failure to thrive, ADHD, autism and anti-social behavior may all be symptoms related to adrenal dysfunction in our children.
Vaccination, wholesale drugging of the children and other abominations led by our public health authorities and the medical profession are only making the problems worse in the long term. Children usually respond very rapidly to nutritional balancing program. This is not at all the same as throwing a lot of good food and vitamins at a child. It must be targeted, based on a properly performed and correctly interpreted hair mineral analysis. I teach this science to anyone who will listen.

Myth #8. Burnout affects only physical health. Burnout affects every area of life. Family and work are often affected. Relationships often suffer. One may lose interest in everyone and everything.
There simply is not enough energy available for intimate relationships or for activities beyond those required for survival. Friends, family and employers are often unaware of what is occurring, which only worsens the situation.

Myth #9. A hectic lifestyle causes burnout. This may be one of many causes. Oddly, however, a hectic lifestyle can also be a result of burnout.
Excessive activity, overwork and a very busy life can be a way to stimulate one into action and a compensation for feelings of exhaustion. When such a one stops working and running around, he will feel just how exhausted and perhaps depressed he really is.
A hectic lifestyle can therefore be a stimulant, like caffeine of loud music. It always makes burnout worse, but it may be the result of burnout, not the original cause.

Myth #10. Overwork for years causes burnout. This is possible. However, adrenal burnout may also occur quickly due to a single shock or just a few traumas that occur in rapid succession. In some cases, however, it is not be related to any single trauma or activity. Often a combination of factors causes burnout.
Whether one goes into burnout from an illness, accident, divorce, overwork or other stress depends very much on one’s ability to handle stress, rather than the absolute amount of stress. In other words, some people handle stress and trauma far better than others. For this reason, we recommend a grounding, centering meditation to everyone with adrenal exhaustion. For more information about this, click on the article on this website entitled, Meditation.

Myth #11. Burnout is an overused term without a scientific basis. Just because burnout doesn’t show up on x-rays or certain blood tests does not mean it is not real. Burnout can be measured and quantified using tissue mineral testing and hormone testing.
The term is not overused. In fact it is greatly underused. A large percentage of the population is in burnout and it would be helpful if physicians understood it better, even if they have no drug “cure” for it.

Myth #12. Plenty of sleep will take care of burnout. Unfortunately, this is not so. The person in burnout is unable to regenerate itself adequately during sleep.
In fact, waking up tired after 8-10 hours of sleep is a primary symptom of burnout. Like a weak battery, the body does not recharge itself during sleep.

Myth #13. Cleaning out toxins will take care of burnout. The accumulation of toxins that occurs as the body can no longer remove them properly contributes to burnout. Exposure to toxic metals or chemicals can be an important factor in burnout. Eliminating them is helpful.
However, energy is required to release toxins. If the energy system is weak, just fasting or detoxifying will not be enough. Fasting, in fact, can and usually does make the situation worse.
One must rebuild the entire energy system by balancing body chemistry and providing nutrients as well. A one-month or even six-month ‘cleanse’ is nowhere near adequate. It can take over a year just to replenish one mineral.

Warning - For those in later stages of burnout, extreme detoxification programs such as fasting, raw foods or even chelating agents can be dangerous. This is because the body may lack the vitality to properly eliminate toxins.
Also, the eliminative organs are compromised. As a result, toxins that such programs release from various storage tissues may be redeposited in more vital organs such as the brain. This can significantly worsen one’s health.
A gentle, complete program of rebuilding and nourishing the body must accompany any efforts to eliminate toxins. In fact, as vitality improves, toxin elimination will proceed on its own.

Myth # 14. One will come out of burnout when one changes whatever factor or behavior caused the burnout. This means that if you just quit your stressful job or your stressful marriage, you wil recover from burnout.
I wish this were true. It is not how it works, however. As one goes into burnout, vital minerals become depleted and toxic substances replace them. The toxic metals become part of the structure of enzymes and even parts of organs and glands.
For this reason, although one changes one’s diet, lifestyle, attitudes or behavior, the toxins remain. This is very frustrating for people who expect a recovery after they leave a stressful situation such as a bad marriage, for instance.

Myth #15. To recover from burnout, just reestablish close communication with those who are close to you. This is the cure for burnout in one popular book. Re-establishing excellent communication with those you love is always helpful. However, in my experience it is usually not enough.
In fact, it can be a source of frustration. Reason for this are:
1. As stated earlier in this paper, your loved ones often do not and cannot understand what has happened to you.
2. Burnout often affects your perception and attitudes. Therefore re-establishing good relationships can be complex.
3. Burnout is usually a multi-faceted problem that demands a more complete approach than just communicating better.

Myth #16. To get out of burnout, one needs to get back in touch with oneself. As with Myth #15, this is an excellent concept, but in my experience is not nearly enough for recovery. One reason is that getting in touch with oneself is often complicated when the brain has excessive toxins, thanks to adrenal exhaustion.
Burnout, for example, often causes terribly low self-esteem because one’s energy is low and thinking is foggy or clouded. Adrenal burnout causes most of its victims to become overly introspective. This is helpful in some ways, but damaging in others. The positive side of this is discussed at the end of this paper, and is very important not to miss.

Myth # 17. One can recover from burnout in matter of months. It takes at least two years and often longer. Layers of toxins, infections and other adaptations and compensations must be undone.
Each adaptation uses up energy so that when one begins correction, there is little energy to work with. This slows progress and is one reason correction takes several years.
Eliminating toxins that have become integral parts of the organs and glands also takes time, like rebuilding a house.
Also, most people must replenish twenty or thirty trace minerals. This takes time, even if one does all the correct procedures to restore one’s health.
If one recovers in months, I would assume one was not in severe burnout. However, often, a small recovery can feel like a cure when it is not.
As an analogy, those in burnout need an overhaul, not a tune up. One needs to commit to doing whatever it takes and devoting a few years to healing. This needs to become one’s primary occupation or job for a while, allowing all other interests and activities to become secondary to the commitment to healing.

Myth #18. Burnout is not an important medical problem unless the stress of burnout causes high blood pressure or another symptom. Burnout is degenerative exhaustion. It sets the stage for all degenerative diseases, because energy is a common denominator of health.
All illnesses start with fatigue. The body is like a newer car with power steering, power brakes and power windows. When the power goes down, the entire car stops working right. Burnout is a serious medical problem, although symptoms may be vague and unrelated to a specific disease.

Myth #19. Burnout is new phenomenon. In fact, burnout is as old as humanity. Understanding adrenal exhaustion can even help us understand the rise and fall of civilizations.
For example, it is known that many great civilizations, including perhaps our own, have fallen slowly or even suddenly. Why does this occur?
One way to understand the fall is that the people, as a whole, go into adrenal burnout and cannot sustain the intellectual, cultural and social traditions of the culture. Wise leaders and strong traditions become replaced with vulgar habits, lower moral standards and leaders who sway the people’s passions, but do not appeal to their higher sensitivities.
Constant wars, as occurred in Europe, can also contribute to burnout. Toxic technology can also take its toll. The Roman Repulbic was famous for its lead water pipes, for example. We are famous for our medical drug cures and surgeries, both of which involve a lot of toxic chemicals. Industrialization has brought large amounts of many toxic metals into our homes, air, water and food.
Even oppressive political and economic systems can contribute in some nations. This is a problem with the socialist and fascist ideologies that spring up around the world. They repress the people and, as a result, the people do not function well after a time.
Freedom, in contrast, tends to help people live better and function better. This was the goal of the founders of America, of course.

Myth #20. Burnout only affects one generation at a time. This is perhaps the most pernicious aspect of burnout. Children born to burned out parents will be born nutritionally weaker and thus more prone to adrenal fatigue themselves.
Children today are going into burnout, as a result, at a younger and younger age. So the story of adrenal exhaustion cuts across generational lives.
This was ably demonstrated by Dr. Weston Price, DDS, in his classic book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. Melting pot nations like America have an advantage in this regard. New immigrants are often the more ambitious ones that are in better health and can help rejuvenate the population.
Also, nations that emphasize freedom and individual rights allow people to devise better ways of coping and maintaining their health that those that are stuck in rigid prescribed social structures.

RECOVERY FROM ADRENAL BURNOUT

Recovery from burnout is certainly possible. Lifestyle changes such as:

Dietary changes to enrich your nutrition and reduce carbohydrates and stimulants. We also recommend the addition of high-quality nutritional supplements, including essential fatty acids from fish oil.

Stress reduction, including moderate exercise and taking more time for yourself. It’s helpful to make a list of your stressors, especially those that are constant.

Get more rest. Your body needs time to heal.

Addressing all these aspects is the way to assure success. The preceding are general suggestions only. If possible, work with a practitioner specializing in hormone balancing.

Based on Excerpts from Lawrence Wilson, MD

Marcy Holmes, Women’s Health NP, Certified Menopause Clinician

Jacob Farin, N.D.

How Hormones are Impacted By Skin and Body Care Products

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:55:56 +0100

How Hormones are Impacted by Skin and Body Care Products
By Victoria Robyn Leor

Studies have revealed over the years that the damage from chemical pollution extends much deeper into the body than the surface of the skin. Skin tells only part of the story and the greater truth of what is happening is revealed as one explores the minute functioning of the body on the biochemical level.

Looking through the microscope you would see the petro-chemical ingredient molecules masquerading as hormones and clogging up the places in the cell walls where real hormones are supposed to be. The cells then lack the guidance the hormones supply for them to function optimally and instead, malfunction to varying degrees. We are seeing the overt effects of this process in boys and men developing breasts and eight and nine year old girls beginning their menstruation. Many more women experience painful periods and extreme menopausal symptoms these days. The chemical screening agents in sunscreens, known to irritate the skin and proven to cause skin cancer, also create the hormone to cell communication breakdown and effect health on a deeper level.

A myriad of skin conditions from the nebulous catch all called ‘rapid aging’, to psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, skin sensitivity, illusive skin allergies often described as ‘dermatitis’, acne and dryness can be traced to the influence of these hormone blocking chemicals. It can be a root cause of any imbalance observed in the skin and, of course, the effect does not stop there. Really any body condition and chronic disease could possibly be traced back to this dynamic of hormone blocking by petro-chemical ‘hormone mimicking look a likes’.

I always wondered in the early days of my skincare practice back in the 80’s, why, when a client told me they only washed with water I said, “Great! that can be blessing.” In this world of many choices and the belief ‘if some is good more must be better’, it seemed strange that I always advocated using less rather than more: less product, less invasive procedures, less extreme skin treatments, less makeup.

I have come to understand that my intuition was guiding me, helping me navigate and guide my clients through the virtual sea of chemical pollution in the skin and body care products that had made their way into the market place. The era of the synthetic ingredients and petro-chemical additives was well underway by then. Those products and many others still available today, often seem to work but do so by masking and suppressing symptoms.

At the same time they do not address the deeper laying cause of what is creating the acne, dryness, rosacea or whatever condition exists. Many of these products are irritating to the skin and result in break-outs and allergic reactions.

What can we do about the chemical soup we live in?

In part, the solution is easy. Merely limit your exposure to the petro-chemicals. Become knowledgeable about products ingredients so you are able to avoid those containing harmful chemicals and choose only those that support hormonal balance and health. Information about ingredients including a handy chart listing the most commonly included harmful chemicals can be found in the sources below.

Besides skin care products, look at your hair care products, lotions, toothpaste, cleaning products, laundry products, foods, beverages, deodorants (personal and for the room), perfumes and food and water storage containers (use alternatives to plastic especially when freezing or storing something hot).

New cars and carpets and many building materials outgas petro-chemical fumes. Buying almost new and used cars, using chem-free, nontoxic construction materials and when necessary, utilizing air purifiers to clear environmental out-gassing all help to minimize exposures.

Unfortunately, in our current world, it is challenging to live a pollution free life. It is additionally important and very helpful to know and understand your own personal hormone profile. Monitor your body’s level of balance and hormonal health regularly through simple saliva testing and analysis available through www.canaryclub.org. This knowledge prepares you to make conscious and informed choices.

Anything you can do to lessen the chemical impact and maintain your body’s hormonal balance will be beneficial to your health and enhance your experience of life. Your skin will reward you with increased vibrancy and youthfulness. You will feel better too. Any place you begin in this process of discovery is the perfect starting point. Just begin.

www.zzskincare.com In addition to healthy skincare products there is a free chart available listing some of the more commonly used harmful petro-chemical ingredients. I recommend printing it out to take along when shopping.

Victoria Robyn Leor practices professionally as a skincare specialist, anti-aging consultant, and EMF safety coach. She is also a free lance writer who has published a variety of articles on different topics related to her practice. She may be reached at g.manager@zzskincare.com

or by calling 702-505-9945.

Body and Soul

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:24:43 +0100

Endocrine disrupters

Elise Collins

The emerging science of endocrine disrupters examines the role of chemical pollutants in our environment and specifically their effect on human and animal hormones. Theoretically, endocrine disruption can be linked to our individual energy bodies and to our planetary evolution through the chakras and our pranic interdependence on the environment. Harish Johari, the late tantric scholar writes, "Chakras are psychic centers in the body that are active at all times, whether we are conscious of them or not. Energy moves through the chakras to produce different psychic states. Modern biological science explains this as the chemical changes produced by the endocrine glands, ductless glands whose secretions mix into the body's bloodstream directly and instantaneously. Ancient philosophers of the East related those changes with the five basic tattvas, or elements-earth, water, fire, air and akasha (ether)."

Increasing industrialization following World War II led to the creation and introduction of over 80,000 new chemicals which are sold and then propagated to our environment, "very few of which have been sufficiently tested to determine whether or not they are at risk to our health," writes D. Lindsey Berkson author of Hormone Deception, a guide to understanding endocrine disrupters. Derived from scientific method, these chemicals were designed to ostensibly improve the quality of our lives by helping us to eradicate pests, clean our homes, improve our health, and streamline manufacturing.

In 1962, Rachel Carson, published Silent Spring exposing the biological possibility that pesticides and other chemicals were not powerful weapons in man's attempts to conquer nature, but possibly stealthy killers which were slowly and quietly throwing the earth out of balance. Now some 40 odd years later, it seems obvious, not radical, that DDT is

both frightening and poisonous. Yet in the 1950's it was considered a wonder chemical. Children ran gleefully behind the 'mosquito truck' in small Midwestern towns as they sprayed DDT on the street to eliminate the blood sucking insects.

Long before scientific methodology, the observation and understanding of the interaction of the five elements in the natural world and the physical body served to make sense of these things for the ancient people of the Indus Valley or what is now known as modern India. The elemental model was derived through careful observation and experimentation; it implied an interconnected relationship between man and the environment. If the elements were contained within our bodies as well as in nature, then we must be related. These ideas were first recorded in the Vedas, originally an oral transmission of information which was later recorded in ancient writing. Part of the Vedas included an explanation of the chakra system assigned corresponding elements to the chakras.

In the 20th century biologists 'discovered' hormones. From the Greek word which means to urge on, hormones are released directly into the blood stream to deliver messages to the cells of the body to act. The ductless glands that release hormones into the blood stream as a whole are called the endocrine system. The first or root chakra is linked to adrenals, the second or sacral chakra is linked to the gonads and reproductive system, the third chakra is linked to the pancreas and sometimes the adrenals, the fourth chakra is linked to the thymus gland and the fifth chakra is the thyroid and the sixth is the pineal gland and the seventh or crown chakra is the pituitary gland. Hormones act as messengers to the cells in the body, telling them what to do, what not to do, when to do it or how. "Every organism operates through the same mechanism of signal and response that has changed very little over the last

400-500 million years or so," explains D. Lindsay Berkson.

Think of the hormones as a Federal Express delivery company that operates in the body. In this analogy Federal Express has planes, trucks and delivery drivers that deliver communication packages between cells. Then endocrine disrupters are the force that interferes with the body's subtle communication methods. Endocrine disrupters hijack Federal Express airplanes, they impersonate drivers, show up with the wrong package and the wrong message. The body's subtle physical communication system is being deranged by a gang of hormone mimicking hooligans, disguised as chemicals. Released by humans not conscious of their elemental and energetic connection to nature, endocrine disrupters are the dark side of better living through chemistry. The most conclusive scientific evidence of endocrine disruption in humans has come from observing the effects of traceable contaminants on wildlife in specific areas. Fish in the Great Lakes contaminated with PCB's have many reproductive problems as well as swelling in the thyroid gland (associated with the throat or fifth chakra). Although some scientists disagree on the effects of endocrine disrupters on humans, their effects on animals and fish is well documented. Animals and humans hormonal and reproductive processes are quite similar; therefore the implication of the consequences of endocrine disrupters is ominous. As we grapple with creating a sustainable world, interconnectedness and an understanding of basic energetic principles is essential.

For more information about the science of endocrine disrupters, read Our Stolen Future by Theo Colburn or check the website http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/. Also D. Lindsey Berkson's book, Hormone Deception outlines steps towards mitigating the damaging effects of obsequious endocrine disrupters in our personal environment.

Email Elise Collins at: rishiyoga@earthlink.net