Adrenal-Stress Hormones

The adrenal glands are located over the kidneys and respond to stress. Stressors can include emotional, bio-chemical, medical, physical, nutritional, hormonal or environmental factors. The two main adrenal hormones are cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). When they are out of balance they can cause a cascade of symptoms such as body fat and waist fat gains, a voracious appetite, anxiety and panic attacks, mental confusion, depression, low motivation, a compromised immune system, sleep disturbances, irritability, a low libido, erectile dysfunction, elevated or lowered blood pressure, heart palpitations, fatigue, body aches and pain and muscle weakness.

Cortisol and DHEA are best tested through saliva. Cortisol and DHEA levels change throughout the day. NCB practitioners will determine the best times of the day to test between 2-4 X day depending on your daily schedule and symptoms. Saliva gives a more accurate assessment of your adrenal levels than blood because saliva reflects the free hormone and tissue levels that affect how you feel daily!

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This is an example of a current male client with initial cortisol testing (adrenals). He was experiencing an increase in belly fat, having a difficult time waking and feeling tired until late in the afternoon. Some people with this type of graph may also experience trouble falling asleep, anxiety and lower moods most of the day. [/toggle]

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This is the same male patient a few months later after some nutrition, lifestyle changes and supplement therapy taken at specific times to help his previous erratic pattern and symptoms. He has lost body fat, reports more energy though out the day and is very happy overall with his improvements. The next step is to get him to bed by midnight so his evening cortisol can go down even more. This improved also pattern also lowers his risk of turning on various diseases.

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