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adrenal gland stress

Protect Your Adrenal Glands!

By adrenal gland stress, caffeine and stress No Comments

The adrenal glands are called the “stress glands.” They are known for this reason because they produce a host of hormones that prepare you for fight or flight. In essence, the adrenal glands are your protection against stress. You have two adrenal glands and each one sits on top of each of your kidneys. In addition to secreting epinephrine and nor-epinephrine, they secrete Cortisol, which is known as THE stress hormone. Dur to chronic stress, many people today are walking around with adrenal gland exhaustion; a name given to explain fatigue and lack of energy, dizziness with standing, mood and memory problems, sugar cravings, abdominal cramps, food sensitivities and possibly a suppressed immune system. When the adrenal glands fail, due to overuse syndrome, the name given to this scenario is Addison’s Disease, and this is NOT GOOD! The message for the day is this: protect your adrenals!

• Stress Tip For The Day:
Caffeine contains a substance that promotes the release of several stress chemicals in your body. It is commonly thought that a high intake of caffeine is associated with adrenal fatigue. It takes your body 8 hours to metabolize one cup of coffee. A 16 oz of Starbuck coffee contains 330 mg of caffeine, as much as 10 cans of Coke or Pepsi. The stress tip for the day is to give up caffeine for a few days and give your adrenal glands a break (remember caffeine can also be found in tea, soda and chocolate!) Here is a suggestion: consider drinking licorice tea. Licorice is considered a healthy herb for the adrenals (and in my humble opinion, Stash make the best licorice tea!)

• Links/Books Worth Noting:
Here are some more links to the topic of adrenal exhaustion.

http://www.drnorthrup.com/womenshealth/healthcenter/topic_details.php?topic_id=94

http://www.mcvitamins.com/adrenal-exhaustion.htm

• Quote for the Day:
“I put instant coffee in a microwave oven and almost went back in time. ” —Steven Wright

• Photo of the Day:
While in Vancouver, BC a while ago, a friend ordered a latte and I snapped a photo of it; a reminder of the caffeine addiction we have. It reminded me of a coffee store in Minneapolis, MN who’s mission statement read: “Our mission is to caffinate the world.” Enjoy!

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.