Dr Peter Richard Pedersen

Research, Articles, Case Histories and Plausable Theories in Support of Health and Longevity... naturally

Dr Peter Richard Pedersen DC DO NTMD

Graduate - Sydney College of Osteopathy - Sydney College of Chiropractic

OSTEOPATH
Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling Neuromuscular Procedures

Adrenal Fatigue, Depression & Metabolic Syndrome

I am fortunate to have attended seminars with international clinician and lecturer Dr James L. Wilson D.C. N.D., Ph.D.

The Adrenal Glands orchestrate a myriad of biological functions and are critical to optimal human health .

There is a complicated process of diagnosis and implementation of treatment protocols in the management of Adrenal Fatigue, Depression & Metabolic Disorders,

Adrenal hormones are involved in cognitive function, mood and mental states in complex ways, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function is typically affected during depression.* Stress with high cortisol and DHEAS have been associated with anxiety and depression, but people going through adrenal fatigue and concomitant low cortisol/low DHEAS have been observed clinically to often also experience mild depression, brain fog, difficulty concentrating and less acute memory recall. They generally feel less tolerant than they normally would and are more easily frustrated. This may be exacerbated by the tendency for high and low nighttime cortisol to disrupt restful sleep.*

Higher and more prolonged levels of circulating cortisol (like those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects, such as:

  • Impaired cognitive performance,

  • Dampened thyroid function,

  • Blood sugar imbalances, such as hyperglycemia,

  • Decreased bone density,

  • Sleep disruption,

  • Decreased muscle mass,

  • Elevated blood pressure,

  • Lowered immune function,

  • Slow wound healing,

  • Increased abdominal fat, which has a stronger correlation to certain health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some of the health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which can lead to other health problems.

Decreased stamina and pronounced morning fatigue may be a clue that there could be a low adrenal function component contributing to depression.* A saliva cortisol/DHEAS test that measures these adrenal hormones at four different times in the day can help determine whether adrenal function is a contributing factor in depression. If adrenal function is low during depression, providing adequate support for healthy adrenal function can help promote vitality and a positive outlook.*

It is also your adrenal glands' job to keep your body's reactions to stress in balance so that they are appropriate and not harmful. For example, the protective activity of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant adrenal hormones like cortisol helps to minimize reactions like swelling and inflammation in situations ranging from allergies to autoimmune disorders. These hormones closely modulate many metabolic processes:

  1. the utilization of carbohydrates and fats

  2. the conversion of fats and proteins into energy

  3. the distribution of stored fat  – especially around your waist (the spare tire) and at the sides of your face

  4. normal blood sugar regulation

  5. proper cardiovascular function

  6. gastrointestinal function

After mid-life (menopause in women), the adrenal glands gradually become the major source of the sex hormones circulating throughout the body in both men and women. These hormones themselves have a whole host of physical, emotional and psychological effects, from the level of your sex drive to the tendency to gain weight. Every athlete knows that steroids (adrenal hormones) affect muscular strength and stamina.

Even your propensity to develop certain kinds of diseases and your ability to respond to chronic illness is influenced significantly by the adrenal glands.* The more chronic the illness, the more critical the adrenal response becomes. You cannot live without your adrenal hormones and, as you can see from this brief overview, how well you live depends a great deal on how well your adrenal glands function.

Chronically lower levels of circulating cortisol (as in adrenal fatigue) have been associated with negative effects, such as:

  • Brain fog, cloudy-headedness and mild depression

  • Low thyroid function

  • Blood sugar imbalances, such as hypoglycemia

  • Fatigue – especially morning and mid-afternoon fatigue

  • Sleep disruption

  • Low blood pressure

  • Lowered immune function

  • Inflammation

Article by Dr Peter Richard Pedersen

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