Megan Rand

Tag: weight gain

  • What is Adrenal Fatigue?

    What is Adrenal Fatigue?

    Look around.  Stress and stressed out people are everywhere!

     

    Is this the most stressful era in which to live?  Maybe, or maybe not. But we seem to be getting hit with stress from all sides.

     

    We have one type of stress that comes in the form of a stressful situation, like the death of a loved one, a demanding job or a physical injury. These are the known stressors, whether they are physical or mental/emotional.

     

    But we are also affected by hidden stressors. Hidden stressors include eating the wrong food for your bio-individual type, being exposed to heavy metals or living with bugs and parasites.  In a world where toxins and chemicals are in everything–our air, water and food–we are constantly bombarded by stress.

     

    All stress, no matter what kind, invokes a response from the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are a triangle shaped endocrine gland that sit on top of the kidneys.  These little glands, no bigger than a grape, are required to produce the hormones needed to regulate energy production, immune function, heart rate and other stress reactions.

     

    What happens when we repeatedly produce cortisol, the stress hormone, in response to the many stressors in our life?

     

    Let’s break it down a bit.  The release of cortisol in response to stress or danger is lifesaving when you are being chased by a bear.  However, the same chain reaction occurs while watching a violent movie.  Although there is no inherent danger, your blood is redirected to your arms and legs to get ready to fight, your heart rate increases, and your airways open. In this state, other functions such as digestion, reproduction and repair are put on hold.

     

    It makes sense. I mean, what good is great digestion anyway if you were just eaten by a bear?

     

    Although it makes sense, repeated exposure to increased stress hormones can wreak havoc on the body. In modern times we enter this fight or flight mode at every hour of the day in response to things such as traffic, a crazy boss, too many bills or our children screaming.  The constant production of cortisol starts to deplete our valuable resources needed to make other hormones.

     

    These neglected hormones are necessary for every single human function.  So, you can imagine why we end up with symptoms like these:

     

    • Weight gain in waist, inflammatory hormonal fat
    • Increased appetite and cravings due to blood sugar fluctuations
    • Low libido
    • Loss of muscle mass
    • Poor memory
    • Excess mood responses after eating carbohydrates such as pasta, breads, and sugar
    • Bone loss
    • Sleep disturbances, tired but wired feeling
    • Thyroid issues
    • Increased risk for GI infections
    • Increased inflammation, lower back pain
    • Hypoglycemia – shakiness, lightheaded
    • Sugar cravings
    • Salt cravings
    • Low blood pressure
    • Allergies, chemical sensitivities
    • Stressed out feeling, depression
    • Cold body temp
    • Excessive sweating or perspiration with little activity
    • Dark circles under the eyes
    • Chronic infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast)
    • Tendency to startle easily
    • Cystic breasts
    • Premature aging
    • Dry, unhealthy skin with excess pigmentation
    • Hard time recovering after exercise

     

    That doesn’t sound fun does it?

     

    You will also notice that these symptoms affect many different parts of the body. One of the reasons that the symptoms are so varied is that there are 3 phases of adrenal fatigue.  Although you might experience a kind of a “high” in phase 1 with increased anxiety and the tired and wired feeling, by the time you reach phase 3 you might just barely be able to get out of bed!

     

    So, are you ready to stop experiencing all of these symptoms? I know I was. Read Top 10 Tips for a Tired Mama for the easily-implementable steps that I used to help restore balance to my adrenal glands.

     

    Which of these symptoms can you relate to?

  • Is your clogged liver making you fat?

    Is your clogged liver making you fat?

    Talking about the liver is one of my favorite topics.  I don’t think the liver gets enough press, I mean this organ is pretty darn cool.

    The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and weighs approximately 3.5 lbs! It is a HUGE filter.

    Important functions of the liver:

    • Detoxifies the blood to rid it of harmful substances such as alcohol and drugs.
    • It makes and secretes bile to help your body absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).
    • It metabolizes and stores carbohydrates, fats, sugars, vitamins (and other nutrients obtained from the foods we eat) for energy and brain function.
    • It breaks down harmful chemicals (bilirubin and ammonia) produced by the body and keeps the body regulated and healthy.
    • It manufactures proteins to help maintain blood purity and proper flow.

    What does this have to do with weight gain?

    If the liver is overburdened with toxic substances day in and out, other important functions such as metabolism will be compromised.  The liver is responsible for helping to metabolize fat through the production of bile.  A compromised fat metabolism leads to weight gain as well as feeling bloated and sluggish.

    Anger and the Liver

    Did you know that anger is the emotion tied with the liver?  Have you ever noticed that alcoholics or people who regularly abuse their liver tend to be angry?

    Signs that your liver can’t keep up with the junk you are sending it:

    • Headaches
    • Don’t feel like eating first thing in the morning
    • Food allergies and chemical sensitivities
    • Dark urine
    • Loss of appetite
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Diarrhea, and light colored stools
    • Enlarged blood vessels, easy bruising
    • Anxiety and depression
    • Mental confusion
    • PMS
    • Exhaustion and fatigue
    • Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin
    • Impaired libido (sex drive)

    If the signs above point to a clogged liver and you would like to confirm that, there is a lab test we can run.  This lab would also make sense if you have been making a lot of effort to reduce stress on your liver and want to see your progress.

    How will I know if my liver is congested?

    As a Certified Functional Nutrition Practitioner, examining liver function is one of the first 2 lab tests that I complete with a client.  The BH 101 collects data on digestive and detoxification functions by looking at the Urinary Bile Acid Sulfates (UBAS). When the liver cannot filter efficiently the bile acid sulfates spill over and are present in the urine.  A high UBAS is a clue into what is going on within the body.

    How can you support the liver?

    1)      ½ Lemon in 16 oz water in the morning (warm or room temp) – the lemon water will help flush out the liver.

    2)      Increase your intake of greens – dandelion greens, kale, parsley and collards

    3)      Herbs that support the liver – milk thistle, dandelion, burdock root & turmeric (curcumin).

    4)      Avoid eating out– the added chemicals, “natural flavors” and additives in restaurant food (even healthy restaurants) are much higher than in any home cooked food.

    5)      Eat liver – The Native American cultures believed that if you want to support an organ you should eat that organ of an animal.  With 2 wise Native Americans in my house, I am going to take this advice to be true! If you are into eating odd, squishy foods, go for it. Get yourself some liver and chow down. Are you grossed out by the idea of eating liver?  You can also get desiccated liver capsules by Radiant Life and take them first thing in the morning.

    6)      Give the liver a break! Limiting your intake of highly processed foods, dairy and meat and replacing that with vegetables, fresh juices and soups for a few weeks (if not always!).  I like to do this at the change of the seasons.

    In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is the time of the Liver and the Gallbladder.  This is why every Spring I like to give the liver a break from the toxins, chemicals, alcohol and processed foods. During my 2 week cleanse I also support this liver with herbs, chlorophyll rich foods, and a special detoxifying beverage!

    Resources: liverfact.com