Cortisol Problems

An increased level of stress or Cortisol problems cause decreased learning ability, inhibits the immune system and increases homocysteine and bad cholesterol. Extended stress can also age the brain. The increasing complexity and density of society causes increased Cortisol problems, which inevitably affects our behavior and well being.

Anxiety or stress is our body's response to fear or a threatening situation, it signals danger and prepares our body for the fight or flight response. It is a feeling of nervousness or worry that helps us not to make the same mistake twice and to avoid or be careful when performing a risky or dangerous task. When people have a high level of anxiety most of the time for no apparent reason, then it can produce heightened levels of the cortisol hormone, this can be dangerous because the majority of the population has more anxiety than we realize.

Introduction to the Adrenals

The adrenals are two small glands, each weighing 3 to 5 grams. They are located above the kidneys. The adrenals have one of the highest rates of blood flow per gram of tissue, and the highest content of Vitamin C per gram of any tissue in the body.

Each adrenal gland is composed of two separate functional entities. The outer zone, or cortex, accounts for 80% to 90% of the gland, and secretes adrenal steroids (Cortisol, DHEA(s) and Aldosterone). The inner zone, or medulla comprises 10% to 20% of the gland, and secretes adrenaline and non- adrenaline, called catecholamines. Cortisol, DHEA and Adrenaline are the three adrenal stress hormones.

The human adrenal gland does not secrete its steroid hormones at a constant level throughout the day. The hormones are actually released in a cycle with the highest value in the morning and lowest at night. This is easily understood by looking at Figure 1. This 24-hour cycle is called the circadian rhythm. An abnormal adrenal rhythm can influence many functions of the body, some of which are listed here.

1. Energy Production

Abnormal adrenal function can alter the ability of cells to make energy for activities of daily living. People who have a hard time rising in the morning, and those people who suffer from energy slumps during the day (and may even be tired all the time), often have abnormal adrenal rhythms.

2. Muscle & Joint Function

Abnormal adrenal rhythms are known to compromise tissue healing. Reduced tissue repair and increased breakdown can lead to muscle and joint injury and chronic pain.

3. Bone Health

The adrenal rhythm determines how well we build bone. If the night cortisol is elevated and the morning is too high, our bones do not rebuild well, and we are more prone to the osteoporotic process.

4. Immune System Health

Various immune cells (white blood cells) cycle in and out of the spleen and bone marrow for special conditioning, and possible nourishment and instructions. This immune system trafficking follows the cortisol cycle. So, if the cycle is disrupted, especially at night, then the immune system is adversely affected. Short and long-term stress is known to suppress the immune response on the surfaces of our body as in lungs, throat, urinary and intestinal tract. With the reduction in the surface antibody (called secretory IgA) the resistance to infection is reduced and allergic reactions are believed to increase.

5. Sleep Quality

The ability to enter REM sleep cycles, i.e. regenerative sleep, is interrupted by high cortisol values at night and in the morning. Chronic lack of REM sleep can reduce the mental vitality and vigor of a person and induce depression.

6. Skin Regeneration

Human skin regenerates mostly during the night. With higher night cortisol values, less skin regeneration takes place. So, a normal cortisol rhythm is essential for optimal skin health.

7. Thyroid Function

The level of cortisol at the cell level controls thyroid hormone production. Quite often, hypothyroid symptoms such as fatigue and low body temperature are due to an adrenal maladaption.

8. Grain Intolerance & Stress

About 12-18% of the US population suffers from a genetic intolerance to grain. Specifically, a high incidence occurs in Celtic, Germanic, and Nordic derivation. The gut becomes inflamed within 30 minutes after consuming the grains and this leads to an adrenal stress response, increased cortisol and reduced DHEA.

Those who suffer from the following should consider having saliva

Adrenal Stress Index (ASI)

Chronic stress & related health problems
Lack of vitality and energy
Muscle and joint pain
Migraine headaches
Osteoporosis
Sleep disturbances
Poor memory
Alcohol intolerance
Stress maladaption
Low sex drive
Low body temperature

Advantages to saliva ASI testing:  

The ASI is a simple non-invasive saliva test. Four saliva samples are used to construct an adrenal rhythm and obtain a DHEA to cortisol correlation. Such an evaluation is not possible with blood and urine samples. The Secretory IgA-immune response and grain intolerance is also tested of the saliva as part of the panel.

1.The test is non-invasive and can be performed wherever you are.

2.Saliva is collected under real life conditions. There are no stressful blood draws and no urine gallons to carry around for 24 hours.

3.With blood and urine testing, a number of borderline adrenal conditions are missed. This is not the case with the ASI because it is a time-specific and real-life test.

4. The ASI is an in depth test such that options for treatment are expanded by 400-500% over serum and urine test results.

Abnormal Adrenal Rhythm can influence:

Energy production
Bone health
Immune system health
Sleep quality
Skin regeneration
Thyroid function
Muscle & joint function

Do you need the ASI test?

If you are interested in the ASI panel give us a call at Essential2Health, Natural Health Center today to schedule your free consultation.

Call 883-0115 or toll free 1-866-883-0115 and