ADRENAL GLANDS

The adrenal glands are located one on top of each kidney.

They are our stress glands that help us cope with internal and external stresses, both physical and mental.  They interact with the sympathetic nervous system which gets our vital organs to respond in small or large emergencies.  Nutritional imbalances impacting the adrenals can trigger the emergency response for no good reason causing tendencies toward anxiety, nervousness, palpitations, jumpiness, restless legs, irritability, crying easily, panic, insomnia, restlessness, racing thoughts, hypoglycemia, depression, and , also fatigue/exhaustion.

In addition, the adrenals have other vital functions that may be impaired if the stress function is overworked, if there is increased toxin exposure (internal or eternal),and/or if nutrition is inadequate due to intake or poor assimilation or both.

The additional jobs the adrenals do are:

1. They manufacture mineral corticoids that should balance builders and communicators in the body.  For instance, mineral corticoids help insure calcium to the bone and magnesium to the muscles. They balance our electrical system with sodium and potassium so our nerve impulses are adequate. They manage our salt and water balance to prevent water retention. They must get the proper mineral to the proper place at the proper time.

2. They make glucocorticoids, which help our pancreas and liver coordinate insulin production with glucose control in our blood.  They especially prevent overproduction of insulin, which can fatigue the pancreas and the individual.

3. They make cortisol, which is our natural anti-pain, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, and mood elevation hormone.  You can understand what happens if you don’t have enough of this!

4. They make sexual steroidal hormones, which communicate to the` male and female organs to produce healthy functioning.  In women, after menopause, they should produce adequate levels of estrogen. Menstrual regulation and fertility depend on them.  Prostate health and male hair growth patterns need well-balanced adrenal function.

It is a Natural Diuretic (moves toxic salts that foster water retention at the intercellular

level). It is a Mood Stabilizer (facilitates release of liver and muscle glycogen which

naturally raises cellular energy, aids in conversion of tryptophan to neurotransmitters for

anxiety/depression). It aids in Weight Loss (coenzyme in utilization of carbohydrate, fat,

and protein, clears cellular toxic salts so fat cells dissipate). It helps prevent PMS

symptoms (it is depleted by pregnancy, lactation, oral contraceptives, stress, radiation, and

aging) Some individuals seem to be genetically predisposed to higher 86 need. Deficiency

symptoms may include elevated cholesterol., hair loss, irritability, visual disturbance,

tingling hands/feet, neuritis, numbness/cramps in arms and legs, water retention, cracks

around the eyes and mouth, depression, slow learning ability, muscle weakness, arthritis

tendencies. carpal tunnel syndrome, impaired mineraVprotein metabolism, violent

behavior, Parkinson’s syndrome, muscle paralysis, toxemia and vomiting of pregnancy

(morning sickness),, motion sickness, male sexual problems, diarrhea, hemorrhoids,

pancreatitis, insomnia, spasm types of heart and blood vessel disorders, hypertension,

burning feet, some types of kidney stones, hypoglycemia,Bl2 deficiency (86 is needed for

absorption), achlorhydria, acne, and tooth decay.

How Statins Work

Statin drugs work by blocking a key enzyme in the production of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a natural product of the liver and in the right amounts does not pose a problem to the body. The body, however, sometimes produces too much cholesterol.(as mentioned due to toxin overload in the body)  Statin drugs block the enzyme linked to the liver’s cholesterol production, HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl COA) reductase, thus inhibiting the liver’s ability to produce LDL. This causes an increase in the number of the LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells, resulting in more cholesterol being removed from the bloodstream and a reduction in risk for high-cholesterol related diseases.” (Little known fact is that toxins can negatively affect and oxidize HDL, “good” cholesterol just as much as LDL “bad” cholesterol) So if you are not addressing the root cause these drugs are especially not beneficial.

“There are two types of statin: fermentation-based and synthetic statins. The fermentation-based statins are derived from molds such as Aspergillus terreus.

Effect in the Body

The liver is primarily responsible for the production of cholesterol in the body. There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is the cholesterol referred to as the bad cholesterol. Statin drugs help to reduce the amount of LDL in the body. They do this by inhibiting the production of an enzyme in the liver that produces LDL–HMG-CoA reductase. They achieve this effect because statins are structurally similar to HMG-CoA reductase and effectively trick the body into thinking they are HMG-CoA, but actually disrupt the process of cholesterol formation. The liver, instead of producing more LDL, then begins to pull LDLs out of the body. By reducing the production of the enzyme, the production of LDL is reduced and overall cholesterol levels are brought down.” http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5036044_statin-drugs-work.html

Next, The Dangers of Low Cholesterol…..

“Some people experience memory loss, report an inability to concentrate as well, and feel that they are developing Alzheimer’s disease when taking statin drugs.

(Coincidentally, a new study suggests that Simvastatin (Zocor) actually lowers the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.) This memory loss may be so extreme as to be amnesia that lasts for 6 to 12 hours.”
“A systematic review of the cases reported to the FDA determined that approximately half of the memory loss problems occurred within 60 days of starting on statin therapy, although memory problems were reported after taking a statin drug for just 5 days. Fortunately most people return to normal after discontinuing the statin drug. The time until recovery appears to be related to the amount of time before the cognitive symptoms appeared; that is, the longer it took for the symptoms to appear, the longer it took for the person to recover. However, a small group may continue to suffer with cognitive problems, perhaps indefinitely.”
“A recent study raises the possibility that statins increase the risk of delirium in patients after surgery. Researchers at the University of Toronto looked at data from 284,000 people after surgery. Delirium is known to be under diagnosed in these cases, but the researchers estimated that it occurs after 10% of all surgical procedures, and after 13% of procedures in people taking statins. Because delirium can increase recovery time, this is an area of concern. The hypothesis is that the statins cause blood flow to the brain to reduce in favor of flow to the heart, although there is no firm evidence that this is happening. “

http://www.statinanswers.com/effects.htm

“Other potential statin side effects:

Although muscle weakness from statins and liver problems are of the most concern, much research has shown that they can also cause sexual dysfunction and performance problems, as well as memory loss, personality changes and irritability.

Other side effects from long term use of statin drugs:

1) While cholesterol lowering drugs do lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, they have limited effect on HDL (good) cholesterol, and no effect on triglycerides (fats), an equally important heart disease risk indicator.

2) Statins decrease your body’s supply of CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an essential nutrient for cardiovascular strength and function.

3) Muscle weakness from using statins: http://www.healthy-heart-guide.com/muscle-weakness-from-statins.html
4) Low cholesterol levels into the danger zone range, more on the dangers of Low Cholesterol in part 4 of this series.
We will take a look at How Statins Work in my next post.

 
There are natural cholesterol lowering ingredients, some of which have been shown to outperform statins in lowering cholesterol, without the possible

Side Effects 

“Muscle pain and muscle weakness are two of the main side effects of statin drugs. While muscle pain and muscle weakness sound ordinary enough, due to the manner in which statin side effects can act in the body they are potentially dangerous side effects of statin use. Another is memory loss. Anyone who is taking statin drugs for any reason should be aware of these side effects and their symptoms. The medical establishment recommends that anyone who suspects they are experiencing any of the possible statin side effects consult with their medical professional.” http://www.statinanswers.com/effects.htm

“Rhabdomyolysis (often called rhabdo for short) is the medical term for the breakdown of muscle fibers that results in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream..

Severe rhabdomyolysis can result in death from acute kidney failure due to overload of the kidneys with deteriorated muscle tissue.”

“For susceptible individuals, the use of a statin drug can interfere with proper functioning of the peripheral nerves.”

“Other symptoms of neuropathy include: numbness, tingling, and pricking sensations; burning pain (especially at night); and/or sensitivity to touch. If left undiagnosed, neuropathy can lead to deterioration of the muscles and paralysis. Remember that we all need throat muscles to swallow, chest muscles to breathe, and that the heart is a muscle. In the extreme, severe neuropathy as a side effect to statin use can lead to death.”

“A famous Danish study of neuropathy as a side effect to statin use concluded that an individual who is a long-term user of statin drugs has anywhere from 4 to 14 times greater risk of developing peripheral neuropathy than a person who does not take statin drugs.”

Think twice before agreeing to take a statin and I will give your more reasons to question your doctor coming up next. 

More to come…..

Quick, healthy mid-meal ideas to keep you lean:

Apple or other fruit with almond butter
Hummus with carrots sticks or sliced red/yellow/orange peppers
Guacamole with carrot sticks or sliced red/yellow/orange
Ricotta cheese (grass-fed if possible) mixed with cocoa powder, stevia, and vanilla extract (delicious high protein, low carb snack!)
Hard boiled egg with carrot and celery sticks,red pepper hummus is my favorite
Celery sticks with organic peanut butter or almond butter ( a classic quick snack)
Avocado slices wrapped in deli turkey breast (one of my favorite quick snack)
A piece of sprouted grain toast (sprouted grain preferred nutritionally over “whole grain” with nut butter
Fresh sliced pineapple with a handful of macadamia nuts
Protein Shakes
Meatballs
Egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, turkey salad, or shrimp salad on Nut Thins or cucumber, zucchini, celery, tomatoes or red pepper slices…
Turkey jerky, turkey sticks
Pumpkin or sun flower seeds
Turkey or chicken franks, cut up with or with out dip
Olives
Omelets

Meat Rollups:
To make one meat rollup:
One lettuce leaf (except head/iceberg lettuce)
Thinly sliced meat (i.e. chicken, bologna (nitrate/nitrite free) beef (free range)
Spread 1 stp Mayo (home made mayo (see recipe) or nut butter)
Roll up lettuce leaf and use a toothpick to hold it together
Can add sliced havarti or provolone if not dairy intolerant

Mayonnaise (home made)
· 1 whole egg (organic only)
· 1 egg yolk
· ½ tsp celtic salt or mineral salt
· ½ Tbsp lemon juice (optional)
· 1 ½ cups expeller pressed oil (use a combo of olive and grapeseed and flaxseed oils)
· In blender or food processor blend egg, salt and lemon juice. Blend for 5 seconds, then SLOWLY add oil by pouring in a thin thread as you blend. Do Not Over Mix. Pour in a glass jar. Additions: if desired :Horseradish, Wasabi, Stevia, Glycerin

Now you have ZERO EXCUSES for resorting to junk food snacks on the road or at the office, when you have all of the delicious and healthy fat-burning snack ideas right here!

http://eatfatandgrowthin.blogspot.com/2012/02/quick-healthy-mid-meal-ideas-to-keep.html

My 2nd favorite foods out of 10.

Omega 3 foods – wild salmon, fish oil, egg yolks. Get more omega 3’s in your diet.
We have become so fat-phobic in this country that we as a society have literally made ourselves sick.
Omega 3’s.

* anti-inflammatory
* transports oxygen
* act as a blood thinner
* improves insulin and glucose metabolism especially important for diabetics.

Dr.Andrew Stoll MD of Harvard Med School states that in the US alone 70,000 lives could be saved by reducing the number of fatal heart arrhythmias by 30% with enough Omega 3 intake.

http://eatfatandgrowthin.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-2nd-favorite-foods-omega-3s-out-of.html

“Annual vaccination against influenza virus hampers development of virus-specific CD8⁺ T cell immunity in children.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21880755,

“We recently demonstrated that vaccination against seasonal influenza prevented the induction of heterosubtypic immunity against influenza A/H5N1 virus induced by infection with seasonal influenza in animal models, which correlated with the absence of virus-specific CD8(+) T cell responses.”

http://eatfatandgrowthin.blogspot.com/2012/01/tip-21-2012.html