Definition
The adrenals are the major gland the body uses in response to stress. They are related to the sympathetic nervous system and the fight-or-flight response. The hormones of the adrenal glands increase our blood sugar, blood pressure, and energy production.
The adrenal hormone adrenalin, also known as epinephrine, is used for emergencies. Cortisone and cortisol are longer-acting adrenal hormones in responses to stress. Aldosterone is released to retain sodium and increase blood pressure.
When the adrenals become depleted, the body is unable to handle stress. This condition is called adrenal overload, burnout, hypofunction, exhaustion or insufficiency.
The liver and the kidney are the organs that have to process the results of the stress. They process the chemical and hormonal aftermath of our mental, emotional, physical, chemical, and spiritual responses.
When the liver and kidney become depleted and cannot process the byproducts of stress fast enough, they store excess toxins in other organs, in the muscles, and on the skin. This condition is called liver and kidney overload, burnout, hypofunction, exhaustion or insufficiency.
Most physicians do not diagnose adrenal, liver, or kidney overload syndrome. Burnout may develop slowly or be caused by a single trauma.
Symptoms of Adrenal, Liver, & Kidney Overload
- Fatigue
- Craving for sweets, simple carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Reliance on stimulants
- Low blood sugar
- Low or high blood pressure
- Moodiness
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lost interest in friends, family and work
- Poor immune function
- Chronic infections
- Insomnia
- Autoimmune disorders
- Allergies
- Multiple chemical sensitivity
- Hormonal imbalance
- Cravings for sex
- PMS
- Hot flashes
- Intolerance to cold
- Muscle and bone loss
- Skin problems
- Acne
- Hair loss
Associated diseases
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- PMS
- OCD
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
Causes of Adrenal, Liver, and Kidney Overload
Excessive Stress
Family finances and relationships are a primary source of stress. Other stress contributing to burnout may include any mental, emotional or spiritual stressors. Pain or physical limitations lead to physical causes of stress. Environmental toxicity, medication side effects, and nutritional deficiencies are among the chemical causes.
Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals, especially when weakened by poor nutrition. Working too much, working in a bad environment, or living in a fast-paced, high-stress environment can also lead to adrenal burnout.
Environmental stressors include noise pollution and electromagnetic exposure; (Cell phones, microwave towers and appliances like televisions, microwave ovens and computers give off strong electrical fields).
Unhealthy responses to stress are another cause of adrenal burnout. These include habits of worrying, anger, fear or frustration. This relates particularly to high strung, nervous individuals or those with very active minds, as these groups are especially prone to adrenal burnout.
Nutritional Deficiencies
When under stress, the need for nutrients is much greater.
Most diets are low in essential nutrients required by the adrenals. These include B-complex vitamins, vitamins A, C and E, manganese, zinc, chromium, selenium and other trace elements. A high carbohydrate diet, which is craved in times of stress, is hard on the adrenals, liver, and kidney. Diets low in protein also creates adrenal, liver, and kidney stress. As does dehydration from inadequate water intake which affects oxygenation of the tissues.
Toxic metals and chemicals
Everyone is exposed to thousands of chemicals in the air, the water, and the food we ingest. Dental fillings, food additives and preservatives, certain ingredients in cosmetics and deodorants, artificial perfumes, environmental pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are all chemical toxins we are exposed to every day. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications also add to the body’s toxic load.
Stimulants
Stimulants damage the adrenal, liver, and kidneys. They push the organs beyond their natural energy. It is like barrowing money from the energy bank, eventually you have to pay it back. Caffeine, sugar, and alcohol are among the most common stimulants.
Stimulant use can also be a result of adrenal burnout. Stimulants are craved by people in adrenal burnout to provide temporary energy. This is the attraction to simple carbohydrate food as well as legal and recreational drugs.
Less obvious stimulants include anger, hatred, loud music, suspense movies, the news, amusement parks, vigorous exercise, arguing, and other arousing activities.
Innate Toxins
When food is not properly digested, it either ferments or rots in the intestines, producing many harmful substances that are absorbed into the body and needs to be processed by the liver and kidney.
As part of the body’s normal functioning, it creates toxic substances. These substances are then quickly neutralized by further processing. However, due to deficiencies in essential nutrients, processes can sometimes become impaired and toxic substances remain unchanged.
In most people, the organs of elimination do not function at an optimal level. As a result, toxic substances slowly build up in the body, leading to adrenal, liver, and kidney burnout and many other health conditions.
Treatment options
- Neurotransmitter (urine) testing
- Lab testing
- Nutritional counseling
- Homeopathic drainage (Unda)
- Psychological and educational counseling
- Massage
- Microcurrent
- Hydrotherapy
| Contact Rosetta Koach, LMT, ND at 503-628-6357 for treatment of Stress—adrenal, liver, and kidney overload |