by Tay Gabbidon | Apr 6, 2023 | Blog, Exercises, Nutrition, Science, Uncategorized
Adrenal fatigue in women and men occurs when the body’s adrenal glands cannot cope with the demands of stress. It is a common health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It can manifest as a range of symptoms, from fatigue and weakness to low blood pressure and mood swings. Adrenal fatigue is often misdiagnosed due to its vague symptoms, but with proper attention and management, it is treatable.
In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments of adrenal fatigue. We will also go through practical tips to manage stress and prevent adrenal exhaustion. Whether you’re struggling with adrenal fatigue or seeking more knowledge on this topic, this guide will provide you with valuable insights into this health issue.
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORTISOL AND THE ADRENAL GLANDS?
Cortisol is produced by the adrenals, and is an important hormone for managing stress levels in the body. During adrenal fatigue, the production of cortisol can become disrupted, leading to a variety of negative effects. Cortisol is necessary for the proper functioning of the body’s stress response system. When it becomes imbalanced, it can lead to fatigue, anxiety, and inflammation.
One of the most significant effects of cortisol disruption in women is its impact on testosterone and estrogen levels. Cortisol and testosterone share a relationship where increased cortisol production may reduce testosterone levels. This, in turn, can lead to decreased sex drive and issues related to fertility. Additionally, cortisol and estrogen also have a complicated relationship. An imbalance between the two can lead to issues that range from mood swings to irregular menstrual cycles.
WHY DOES ADRENAL FATIGUE AFFECT WOMEN MORE THAN MEN?
While both men and women can suffer from adrenal fatigue, the condition affects women more severely. The reason for this is the complex hormonal system that women have. Women go through monthly menstrual cycles and pregnancy, which causes a lot of physical and emotional stress on the body. Moreover, stress from work, relationships, and other aspects of life only add fuel to the fire.
When stress becomes chronic, the adrenals are unable to keep up with the cortisol demand, leading to adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue can cause a wide array of symptoms, including brain fog, insomnia, weight gain, and mood disorders. Women with adrenal fatigue may experience intense sugar cravings, which can lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Women with adrenal fatigue may also face acute anxiety and depression, which can significantly affect their daily life.
In conclusion, women are not only susceptible to adrenal fatigue because of their complex hormonal systems, but also because multiple stressors they face in life. It is essential to address the condition early on to avoid long-term complications.
WHAT OTHER HORMONES DO THE ADRENALS PRODUCE?
The adrenal glands in women play a vital role in the production of sexual steroidal hormones. These hormones have a significant impact on their overall health and well-being. The three primary steroidal hormones produced by the adrenal glands are estrogen, testosterone and progesterone.
Estrogen helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, maintain bone density, and keep the skin healthy. On the other hand, testosterone assists with the creation of lean muscle mass, the maintenance of a healthy sex drive, and the production of red blood cells.
Progesterone is a hormone that is responsible for various functions in the body, including maintaining pregnancy, regulating menstrual cycles, and balancing estrogen. Adequate levels of progesterone are essential for fertility and a healthy pregnancy. In instances where there is a problem with adrenal function or progesterone production, symptoms may include menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, and changes in mood and energy levels.
RISK FACTORS
With the decline in the production of estrogen and testosterone, women can experience various health issues. For instance, low levels of estrogen can cause osteoporosis, resulting in an increased risk of fractures. It can also lead to hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. Similarly, a decrease in testosterone production can lead to muscle weakness, low sex drive, and fatigue. To ensure the proper functioning of adrenal hormones in women, it is essential to maintain a balanced diet, engage in regular exercise, and get adequate rest.
Additionally, stress management is vital as stress can impact the production of these hormones negatively. Several lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress levels, eating a balanced diet, and getting plenty of exercise and rest, can help reduce the risk of developing adrenal-related health issues. With the right support, women can maintain a healthy hormonal balance and improve their health and well-being.
HOW DOES MENOPAUSE AFFECT THE ADRENAL GLANDS?
Menopausal women often suffer from a wide variety of symptoms due to hormonal changes in their bodies. These changes can lead to an imbalance in the production of hormones by the adrenal glands, which can cause further health problems. Hormonal support of the adrenals is essential for menopausal women as it helps in maintaining a balanced hormonal level and combats the symptoms of menopause.
The adrenal glands are responsible for the production of adrenal hormones, including cortisol, which helps in managing stress levels in the body. During menopause, the levels of cortisol in the body can drop significantly, leading to a variety of unpleasant symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, and depression. Hormonal support of the adrenals can help in regulating cortisol levels in the body, which, in turn, can alleviate the symptoms of menopause.
Apart from cortisol, the adrenal glands also produce other hormones such as DHEA, which plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density in the body. During menopause, the levels of DHEA can decrease, which can lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis. Hormonal support of the adrenals can help in keeping the levels of DHEA at a healthy level, thereby reducing the risk of bone loss and increasing bone density. Hence, Hormonal support of the adrenals is critical for menopausal women to maintain overall health and well-being.
WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO CURE ADRENAL FATIGUE IN WOMEN?
Fortunately, there are several lifestyle changes that women can make to help cure adrenal fatigue. Here are six things that women can do to cure adrenal fatigue:
- Get enough sleep: Women who suffer from adrenal fatigue should make sure to get enough sleep each night. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Manage stress levels: High levels of chronic stress can exacerbate adrenal fatigue. Women should find ways to manage their stress levels, such as through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress levels and improve overall health. Women should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day.
- Eat a balanced diet: A balanced diet that is rich in nutrients is essential for curing adrenal fatigue. Women should focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
- Limit caffeine and sugar intake: Caffeine and sugar can disrupt hormone levels and exacerbate adrenal fatigue. Women should aim to limit their intake of these substances.
- Take supplements: Some supplements, such as vitamin C, B vitamins, and magnesium, can help reduce symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Women should talk to their doctor about which supplements may be right for them.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SUPPLEMENTS FOR WOMEN TO TAKE FOR ADRENAL SUPPORT?
The following supplements are some of the best that women can take to help cure adrenal fatigue.
- Ashwagandha: This herb has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, which helps to manage stress and fatigue associated with adrenal fatigue. Additionally, ashwagandha has been found to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety, both of which are common symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is an essential mineral that has been found to help lower cortisol levels and improve energy levels. It can also help to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and regulate blood sugar levels, all of which are important for managing adrenal fatigue.
- Vitamin C: Adequate vitamin C intake is crucial for adrenal health. This vitamin is involved in the production of cortisol and can help to reduce stress levels in the body. It is also a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect the adrenal glands from damage caused by free radicals.
- B-complex vitamins: B-vitamins are involved in energy production and play a critical role in adrenal function. Supplementing with a B-complex vitamin can help to improve mood, reduce fatigue, and enhance mental clarity, all of which can alleviate adrenal fatigue symptoms. By including these supplements in a healthy diet and lifestyle, women can support their adrenal health and combat the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. It is always important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4417336/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2902103/#
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573577/
If you enjoyed this article, here’s another:
Optimising Strength Training & Diet Around Your Menstrual Cycle – https://immortal-training.com/strength-training-and-dieting-throughout-your-menstrual-cycle/
by Tay Gabbidon | Jan 10, 2022 | Blog, Nutrition, Uncategorized
If you want to trigger me, just say that saturated fat is unhealthy. I’m here to show you that it is not. In fact, including saturated fat in our diets is essential for maintaining an optimal biological state of well-being.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SATURATED FAT?
Saturated fat is needed for:
- Mental development – the brain is made up of mostly saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Bone development – saturated fats metabolise calcium.
- Cardiovascular function – the lungs are coated with fatty acids that are saturated.
- The nervous system – as in the brain the nervous system is largely made up of saturated fats.
- Hormonal support – saturated fats are the building blocks to making hormones such as testosterone, oestrogen, cortisol, etc.
According to the independent study, A Critical Review of Cardio Disease by Dr Walter Willet from Harvard School of Public Health, we can see that saturated fat is not linked to heart disease and protects against strokes. Daily nut consumption is associated with a 35% decrease in the risk of heart attacks. Consuming full fat dairy is associated with a 60% reduction in risk of type 2 diabetes, lowers high density cholesterol, triglyceride levels and inflammation markers. People that eat egg yolks can reduce the chance of becoming diabetic by 42%. I highly recommend reading Dr Willett’s book, Eat, Drink and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating if you want to gain more of an understanding of his research.
WHY IS SATURATED FAT SEEN AS UNHEALTHY?
You should never trust the science. Question it always. Lessons learned during the recent COVID pandemic have proven why this approach is most important. The same goes for the scientific understanding of saturated fat.
To understand the history, we must go back to the 1920s to spend time with Dr Charles Best & Dr Frederick Banting, two scientists who earned a Nobel Peace Prize for purifying insulin, making it available for pharmaceutical use. They also made some other interesting discoveries.
Drs Best & Banting were the first scientists to discover an accumulation of fat in and around the organs in diabetics. This discovery lead them to believe that dietary fat was the cause of type 2 diabetes. The development of the infamous food pyramid that was pushed onto the public was a direct result of this. It could be fair to say that certain powerful food corporations were able capitalise on these studies, but that’s a different conversation altogether!
Fortunately, technology has advanced a lot since the 1920s. The science that was missing from their research was the role of the liver. The liver plays a key role in fat metabolism. It is now known that the liver converts sugars into fat to be stored, either as subcutaneous – on the outside of the body – or visceral fat – in and around the organs. In fact, to put it quite simply, body fat is nothing more than stored sugar. Once there is no more room for it to be stored in the liver, the body is forced to store fat in the pancreas. When this happens, a person loses the ability to create insulin on their own. Welcome to type 2 diabetes.
Since the recommendation of ‘low fat’ diets by the bodies that govern food & drugs, we have noticed a 400%+ increase in heart disease, diabetes & obesity. Until the public is completely re-educated about nutrition this problem isn’t going to get better.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SATURATED FATS?
Palmitic acid is often considered an unhealthy saturated fat because people often associate it with palm oil, but you will find that the acid (not the oil product) is already a part of our biological make up. Here are the different types of saturated fatty acids and their benefits:
- Caprylic acid – found in coconut oil, dairy, breast milk, nuts. Great for the immune system, acne, and is anti-viral.
- Lauric acid – found in coconut oil, breast milk. Needed for the immune system and is anti-viral.
- Palmitic acid – abundant in fish, nuts, seeds, animal products. 50% of cell membrane is made up palmitic acid.
- Butyric acid – found in butter and vegetable sources. This is the main fatty acid that feeds cells in the colon.
WHICH FATS SHOULD I AVOID?
We can put lipids (fats) into three categories – saturated, unsaturated and trans.
Unsaturated fats – EPAs & DHAs – are the omegas. These often get promoted as ‘healthy fats’, but you should now understand that saturated fat is just as important.
Trans fats increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems. They are found in hydrogenated foods. This is when a hydrogen atom is introduced to an oil to solidify it, preventing it from going rank. Margarine often disguised as ‘spreadable butter’ is a form of trans fat. Trans fats can also be found in fast food, microwave meals and other processed foods. We should avoid these fats at all costs.
The rule that I follow says, if you can dig it from the ground, pick it from a tree or plant, or slaughter it and it’s still in its unaltered state then it is OK to eat. The most important part of that statement is that it is still in its unaltered state. Meaning unrefined and unprocessed.
References:
Nutritional Epidemiology, Dr Walter Willet
Dr Charles Best & Dr Frederick Banting:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Banting
Study comparing consumption of Saturated Fats vs Unsaturated Fats:
http://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i1246 Astrup, A., Dyerberg, J., Elwood, P., Hermansen, K., Hu, F.B., Jakobsen, M.U., …Willett, W.C. (2011). The role of reducing intakes of saturated fat in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: Where does the evidence stand in 2010? [PDF]. Am J Clin Nutr, 93(4): 684–8. doi: 10.3945/ ajcn.110.004622
For help with own nutrition go here:
https://immortal-training.com/book-a-consultation/
by Tay Gabbidon | Dec 21, 2021 | Blog, Nutrition, Recipes
RAW CHOCOLATE KETO SHORTBREAD RECIPE
WHAT IS RAW CHOCOLATE KETO SHORTBREAD?
Raw Chocolate Keto Shortbread is a healthy dessert recipe that is ideal for obese and diabetic people who struggle to lose weight.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hour
Servings: Serves: 8-10
INGREDIENTS
100g Ground Almonds (1 cup)
100g Dried Coconut / Desiccated Coconut (1
Cup)
2 TBSP Cashew Nut Butter (or alternative)
1 TBSP Sweetener
1 Pinch Salt
100g 85% chocolate
1 TBSP Coconut Oil
DIRECTIONS
In a food processor place ground almonds, dried coconut, cashew butter, sweetener and salt and blend until a bound consistency has formed (about 1-2 mins.
In a silicon mould or a greased dish press down the mixture to form a flat base. Place in the freezer for about 30 minutes until solid In a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water melt your chocolate and coconut oil together and stir until fully combined.
Now pour directly on to the shortbread base and place in freezer for about an hour until set.
Remove from the freezer and allow to stand for about 15-20 minutes before using a sharp knife to cut squares. Store inside a sealed container in the fridge.
by Tay Gabbidon | Dec 21, 2021 | Blog, Nutrition, Recipes
What Are Keto Crackers?
Keto crackers are carb-free crackers that are great tasting and ideal for diabetics and people that want to lose weight in the form of body fat.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: Servings 36
INGREDIENTS
1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup hemp hearts
1/2 cup coconut flour plus extra for rolling the
dough
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt for topping
6 tablespoons cold salted butter – very cold
4 tablespoons salted butter melted
2 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cup ice water
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 205°C.
Put the almond flour, hemp hearts, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Grate the chilled butter, stirring it into the flours. Stir gently with a big spoon to ensure the butter is coated with flour and you can see butter shreds throughout your coconut flour mixture. Add the olive oil and stir gently to combine, then add the water. Let the mixture stand in the refrigerator for at
least 30 minutes.
Dust a sheet of parchment with coconut flour. Roll the chilled dough between sheets of baking parchment until it is about ¼ -inch thick. Cut the dough in the desired shapes. Bake the crackers on the bottom parchment sheet for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to melted butter and brush the crackers while they are hot.
Turn oven off and place back in the oven for 5 minutes. Let cool.
by Tay Gabbidon | Sep 2, 2021 | Blog, Nutrition, Science
WHAT IS INTERMITTENT FASTING?
A lot of people think of starvation when you mention the word fasting, but I’m here to tell you that this isn’t the case. Intermittent fasting means that you are eating within a certain window of hours in the day and fasting for the rest.
Although there are others, the most popular intermittent fasting schedule follows a 16 – 8 hour split (sixteen hours fasting and eight hours eating). This also includes your sleeping hours during the night. For example, if you stopped eating at 8PM tonight you would then break your fast at 12PM tomorrow.
Firstly, the most important thing to know is that sixteen hours is the magic number and should be your minimum amount of fasting time for reasons that I will get into later. Personally, speaking in terms of body fat loss, I have had the best results when fasting 18-20 hours per day, shortening my eating window down to six or four hours, and so have many of my clients.
The second most important thing to understand is that intermittent fasting does not mean that you can spend your meal times eating junk food. You will not lose weight by fasting alone. Will fasting give you more wiggle room when it comes to cheat meals? Yes. Will you still get all of the other benefits from fasting if you’re not concerned with weight loss? Meh, yes and no.
Let’s not get it twisted. YOU MUST FOLLOW A KETO/LOW CARB BASED DIET AS WELL. No carbs or sugar is the most important aspect of eating healthily.
For more information on the keto diet go here:
Ketosis
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BODY DURING FASTING?
Nature has given us two sources when it comes to fuelling the cells in our bodies – glucose (sugar), or ketones. Glucose comes from food and ketones are created naturally within the body from our own fat reserves.
In order to understand what happens during the fasted state we first have to understand insulin, which is a key hormone when it comes to fat storage. When we eat, blood sugars rise, so the pancreas has to release insulin to take sugar from the blood to the liver in order to be processed. This is the body’s natural way of lowering blood sugar levels in order to avoid toxicity. Carbohydrates and sugars raise the blood sugars to levels that are particularly higher than those of proteins and dietary fats, which is why I recommend avoiding them altogether.
When insulin is working at high levels, the body is running on glucose and potentially storing fat, so we refer to this as the fed state. It takes 16 hours of fasting to get the insulin levels low enough to enter the fasted state – where you are producing ketones for fuel (burning fat). That is when all of the amazing stuff starts to happen. Human beings have evolved by way of adaptation to eat far more infrequently than we do today. Getting into a fasted state also allows the body to unlock unique proteins that improve brain, gut, bone health and much more.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF KETONES?
Ketones…
- are an appetite suppressant
- are antioxidants
- will increase oxygenation in the body
- will decrease carbon dioxide levels in the body
- can improve thyroidal conditions
- burn fat
- increase energy levels
- unclog arteries
- increase good cholesterol and reduce the bad
- lower blood pressure
- improve mental disorders
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FAST UP TO 24 HOURS?
Although I don’t necessarily recommend it, I’ve known people to fast up to 21 days, but let’s just stick to the first day of fasting for now! Intermittent fasting for 24-hours is the one of the best ways to naturally trigger the anti-ageing, self healing and detoxification processes in the body.
12 HOURS INTO INTERMITTENT FASTING
- After 12 hours the body starts to produce ketones.
- Growth hormone levels also start to spike at 12 hours. This is beneficial for muscle and bone development.
16 HOURS INTO INTERMITTENT FASTING
18 HOURS INTO INTERMITTENT FASTING
- Autophagy – 18 hours into fasting, the body begins to recycle old, damaged and used proteins, organelles (such as mitochondria) and cell membranes, turning them into new ones. A great example of this is the regeneration of Advanced Glycated End Products, or AGEs, which are proteins destroyed by the glycated (sticky) mixture of glucose (sugar) and proteins in the body. It is at this point in the fasted state that the body starts to turn these old, damaged proteins into new amino acids. A person that has undergone dramatic weight loss surgery, for example, could benefit from autophagy if they suffer from ‘loose skin’. That loose skin is only an accumulation of dead proteins that can be recycled into new skin cells, simply by triggering this natural regeneration process.
- Amyloid plaque is the dense, insoluble protein that forms between the nerve cells (neurons) and can cause neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s. These proteins get a good clean up when you hit the 18-hour mark. The same applies to all other types of cellular proteins that are no longer working in the body.
24 HOURS INTO INTERMITTENT FASTING
- Now you are now freeing yourself of glycogen (stored glucose) built up in the liver. You see, the process of body fat storage looks like this:
GLUCOSE —> GLYCOGEN —> ADIPOSE TISSUE/BODY FAT
In order to get into the visceral (organ) fat, you must burn through the glycogen stores first.
- Gut healing from the increase of stem cells. That’s right, you’re now detoxing your gut and you didn’t have to spend a penny on any of those ‘miracle supplements’.
- 24 hours of fasting improves cardiovascular functions by lowing blood pressure, cholesterol, and reversing heart disease.
- The reduction in ‘monocytes’, which are the cells that cause inflammation in the body, helps to eliminate conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and irritable bowel syndrome.
- You’re getting smarter! Stimulating the production of a protein in the nerve cells, called Brain Derived Neurotropic Function (BDNF), will improve learning, memory, and the production of new nerve cells in the hippocampus area of the brain.
CONCLUSION
The scientific world is currently experiencing a lot of breakthroughs when it comes to fasting. It seems as if science is starting to catch up to the ancient knowledge and practices that our ancestors relied on so heavily. Up until about a century ago, people often used fasting as a way to treat a wide range of illnesses. The decline in the practice of fasting can be correlated with the rise of big pharmaceutical companies. As many natural medicines were made illegal by the forces that be, so came the deterioration of the way of life.
It is not in the interest of food, or pharmaceutical companies to encourage fasting as a health option. There is no money in it for them. You have the power.
Get yourself into a 24-hour fast as quickly as possible. That will ensure that you are burning through visceral (organ) fat right away. You will have to get through that before you see anything shift from anywhere else. Try to maintain a minimum 16 hour fast everyday thereafter, keeping it mind that it could take up to one week for your body to properly adjust to the new changes.
Good luck!
Tayvis Gabbidon
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