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The Adrenal
Glands are two walnut sized glands located on top of both kidneys. These two
tiny glands make over fifty different hormones, some of which we have no
knowledge. Cortisol and DHEA are two of these hormones that are known to
have a tremendous impact on metabolism. Stress causes the body to stimulate
the release of large amounts of cortisol from the adrenal glands and
suppresses DHEA. Cortisol is considered a survival hormone. It is released
to enable the metabolism of the body to keep us alive through a stressful
time. It also serves to regulate blood sugar during times of fasting or
sleep, reduces inflammation, slows metabolism during fasting, as well as
hypes us up to deal with stress.
Normal cortisol secretion is highest in the morning to get us going,
gradually tapers off during the day, and is lowest at night to allow us to
go to sleep. When our bodies were evolving genetically, stress events were
relatively brief episodes, such as being chased by a lion, or a long cold
winter. Now in modern society, stress events can last years or indefinitely.
Modern stresses appear as job stress, relationship or family stress,
financial stress, driving stress, multi-tasking stress (like driving on the
freeway, trying to control the kids in the car and talking on the cell phone
all at the same time). Our lifestyles also upset the normal rhythm of
cortisol production. Things such as eating or exercising late in the day, or
working late at night will force the adrenal glands to put out high levels
of cortisol for the task at hand rather than to allow it to decline to let
us sleep. Habitual disruption of the normal gland production cycles as well
as chronic excess stimulation leads to adrenal exhaustion.
Cortisol is also considered a catabolic hormone, which means it serves to
break down the body. It is also an anti-insulin hormone. Insulin is
considered an anabolic hormone, one that builds us up. So when cortisol is
persistently elevated it causes elevations in insulin, which results in what
is known as “insulin resistance.” If we become insulin resistant, it causes
us to gain weight, makes it difficult to lose weight, and puts us on the
path to developing diabetes.
About the Author:
Dr. Howard Liebowitz is considered a pioneer in alternative medicine and is
an authority in hormone balancing and
bio-identical hormone replacement who believes that natural healing and
restoration of vitality can occur at any age. Talk to Dr. Howard Liebowitz
for Free! Visit
http://www.LiebowitzLongevity.com
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