How Does Stress Affect My Adrenal System?

The adrenal system is activated in response to external demands or stresses you experience. The release of stress hormones provide a burst of energy needed to deal with both big crises and day-to-day challenges. In extreme situations, the body is flooded with epinephrine, or "adrenaline," increasing high-priority functions, such as heart rate and respiration, and decreasing lower-priority functions, such as digestion and reproduction.

Your autonomic nervous system, a component of your adrenal system, is in charge of your involuntary processes. Involuntary processes occur automatically--such as your heart beating--without any conscious help from you. The system is activated in response to external demands or stresses you experience. It prepares you for the burst of activity needed to deal with a big crisis or day-to-day challenges. It also provides for recovery, restoration, and growth when the encounter is over. The accumulation of stress can cause the automatic nervous system to be out of balance.

The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, or "HPA axis," is a key to your Allostatix Load™. The HPA axis brings together the nervous system, glands and immune system and holds them in balance. When your HPA axis is functioning properly, you have the energy and focus to deal with a crisis. When chronic stress makes the axis tilt, the result might be illness, such as an asthma attack or persistent cold.

What Blood/Biometric Tests Were Included in the Adrenal System?

P2 Level Adrenal/Hormonal Tests

DHEA-S - Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) is produced by adrenal glands. It is one measurement of your adrenal function and hormone balance. DHEAS may be viewed as a buffer and reservoir and it is suggested that there is a role in the immune and stress response. DHEA-S is useful to detect excess adrenal activity as seen in adrenal cancer or hyperplasia.

How Do I Improve My Adrenal System?

  • Eat foods high in protein. It stimulates your HPA axis, which regulates stress-related hormones.
  • Lower the amount of refined sugar and processed food you eat. It increases your energy level. The adrenals produce extra amounts of hormones for energy when the food you are eating does not provide "natural energy."
  • Reduce your daily caffeine intake. Caffeine interferes with the natural adrenal hormones.
  • Exercise 2-3 times per week for 30 minutes per day.  Exercising balances hormone levels throughout the body and improves cognitive function and brain capacity.
  • Consistently sleep 7-8 hours each night. Sleep is a natural form of hormone therapy that allows stress-related hormones to "reset" and return back to their normal state.
  • Engage in simple stress management techniques, such as having dinner with friends or family or taking a yoga class. These keeps your adrenal glands from enlarging and releasing additional, unneeded stress-fighting hormones.