Hi :)
I just have to share a little bit about my sunshine story for anyone who feels the same way. Maybe there’s help for you too :) I was tired and had sort of lost the motivation to do anything. I was subjected to unpleasant situations at work, which unfortunately knocked some of my self-confidence, and my self-esteem hit rock bottom. But I tried to find help and thought that I would come back. I took a leave of absence from work and tried to eat as healthy food and vitamins and minerals as I could to get my energy back. I read online about exhausted adrenal glands affecting the thyroid after prolonged stress... and then I found Adrenal Response at Greatlife :) It became my lifesaver, and I felt like I was starting to regain my strength and energy again. It felt amazing to get the desire and energy to train again. :) I highly recommend Adrenal Response to all of you who, just like me, lost yourselves for a while. I’m no longer so tired that I wear my nightgown all day like I did back then, and I am grateful for that :) I hope it can help others as well. Good luck! /Berit
Greatlife.eu comments
Long-term chronic stress is extremely detrimental to health. During stress, several phases occur: The acute phase, where the adrenal glands produce a lot of cortisol, which can risk becoming, if the stress persists, a chronically high production of cortisol. However, with long-term chronic stress, the adrenal glands risk producing too little cortisol, which in everyday language is often called “exhausted adrenals” or “tired adrenals.” There is also a disease, Addison’s disease, where the adrenal glands are unable to produce sufficient amounts of cortisol and aldosterone.
However, people with “tired adrenals” can respond dramatically to low doses of pure adrenaline hormones, which is not always desirable. Adaptogens are active substances that can increase an organism’s resistance to stressors that affect the organism’s homeostasis, among other things, meaning that an adaptogen is a biological substance that positively contributes to an individual’s management of various negative stressors.
The advantage of adaptogens is that they can both increase and decrease cortisol. In cases of acute stress, for example, Ashwagandha, but also Rhodiola, can lower both blood sugar and cortisol. In long-term stress, betalipoproteins will be produced, which decreases the energy available to cells by blocking the enzyme hexokinase, among others. This is one reason why prolonged stress can lead to abnormal fatigue that cannot be slept away. Adaptogens reduce the accumulation of betalipoproteins and prevent the blockage of hexokinase, allowing the cells to receive adequate energy, which is necessary for them to function optimally.
Adaptogens therefore work on a cellular level rather than just affecting cortisol expression directly, meaning that a person exposed to a stressor will still experience an adrenal response, but the effect on the body’s cells is not as “negative” with the help of adaptogens. Unfortunately, stress can have a negative effect on blood sugar. Adaptogens will also provide a better blood glucose response to stress (adrenaline and cortisol). Adaptogens also improve cardiovascular health by counteracting catecholamines from prolonged periods of stress. Adaptogens will also contribute to protein synthesis and significantly reduce recovery time from exercise. Adaptogens are therefore also an excellent tool for those who train at an amateur level and want improved recovery.
One of the most important functions of adaptogens is likely that they positively influence ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone). Low cortisol is likely due to insufficient secretion of ACTH.
The herbs in Adrenal Response will not make a person with exhausted adrenals more tired, on the contrary, they will be able to handle all forms of stress better. However, the best solution is always to find what is causing the stress and first look at diet, physical activity, sleep, relationships, work situation, toxins, potential allergies, and so on.
Supplements for exhausted adrenals
