Adrenal Fatigue – A Hidden Cause of Chronic Tiredness
Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands are overworked, leading them to produce very little adrenal hormones. This triggers a lowered metabolism and reduced energy levels. The adrenal gland produces the hormones cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Cortisol is crucial for controlling stress levels. It regulates, influences and modifies many of the changes that occur in the body in response to stress, changes that impact sugar levels, immune response, blood pressure and even emotions.
Studies show that cortisol level peaks by 8 AM and is its lowest at around 4 AM. The body reacts to stressful stimuli by raising cortisol levels. This is a normal part of your bodily process. However, it is important that the levels of cortisol come down after the stressful event has passed. Unfortunately, due to the high-stress world we live in, cortisol levels can continue to remain high. Too much cortisol will cause health problems such as diabetes, immune depression, high blood pressure, and eventually will burn out the adrenal gland. This is what causes adrenal fatigue.
Epinephrine and norepinephrine are related but separate hormones and neurotransmitters that are particularly useful for preparing the body for what is known as the ‘fight or flight’ response. This is a primal response to danger. These hormones serve as chemical mediators by transmitting nerve impulses to the organs, thereby conveying messages to the organs that the body is in a dangerous situation.
Epinephrine increases heart rate, reduces food digestion, increases lung capacity and muscle contraction. While these changes are essential to prepare the body in times of stress, the body will suffer dire health consequences if the changes continue without end. One such problem is the eventual burnout of the adrenal gland, resulting in adrenal insufficiency and chronic fatigue.
Adrenal fatigue will also result from the failure of the adrenal glands to produce adequate hormones. A primary cause of this is taking medications, especially statin drugs prescribed to reduce cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is the primary nutrient required to produce all hormones in the body, including the adrenal hormones – cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. It is not surprising that many of the side effects of low cholesterol are the same as those seen in adrenal fatigue – including chronic fatigue, susceptibility to infections, blood pressure changes, thyroid problems etc.
Stress causes far more harm to the body than most people realise, making it vital that we take out time to relax the body. A good way of tackling stress is to take daily walks in nature. A healthy diet is also essential. The body requires nutrients to produce the hormones listed above that it needs to function adequately.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins should be avoided at all costs because of the harmful effect they have on the bodily process. And for those that have to take such medications, there are natural alternatives that are better than statins – and even these should not be taken continuously.
