Chronic Stress, Chronic Fatigue and Chronic Weight Gain?

09/19/24 • 56 min

The Coach Debbie Potts Show

Why Are Adrenal Glands Important?

Stress Response: The adrenal glands are essential for managing stress. They produce cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” which helps the body react to stress by increasing energy availability, controlling blood sugar levels, and enhancing brain function.
Fluid Balance and Blood Pressure: The adrenal glands also produce aldosterone, which helps regulate salt and water balance in the body, influencing blood pressure.
Sex Hormones: Although most sex hormones are produced in the reproductive organs, the adrenal glands contribute a small but important amount, particularly post-menopause or in situations where the body needs extra support.
Anti-Inflammatory Role: Cortisol has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why synthetic versions, like cortisone and prednisone, are used to treat inflammatory conditions.

Functions of Cortisol

Cortisol is central to how the adrenal glands support overall health. It plays a role in:

Inflammation Control: Reduces inflammation and supports immune function.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Increases blood sugar to provide energy during stressful situations.
Sleep-Wake Cycle: Helps regulate circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.
Blood Pressure Control: Works with aldosterone to regulate blood pressure.
Metabolism: Influences how the body uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy.

Adrenal Dysregulation and Chronic Stress

When the body is under chronic stress, the adrenal glands may become overworked, leading to excess cortisol production. Over time, this can lead to adrenal dysregulation, where the glands struggle to turn off the stress response. This chronic state can cause problems such as fatigue, weight gain, sleep issues, and a weakened immune system.

Dietary Recommendations

Avoid Food Sensitivities: Food sensitivities can trigger stress and inflammation, worsening adrenal health.
Limit Sugars and Processed Grains: High sugar intake can spike insulin levels and put additional strain on the adrenals. Opt for whole grains instead of processed grains, as they provide more stable energy.

Lifestyle Recommendations

Stress Reduction: Since stress is a primary trigger for cortisol production, managing it is key. Incorporating relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help.
Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep to allow the body to recover and regulate cortisol levels.
Daily Movement: Regular, moderate exercise supports adrenal health by balancing stress and energy levels.

In summary, the adrenal glands play a vital role in maintaining overall hormonal balance, especially during stress. By focusing on a nutrient-dense diet and managing stress through lifestyle choices, you can support healthy adrenal function and prevent dysregulation.

Read the rest on https://debbiepotts.net/the-cortisol-and-weight-gain-connection/

Why Are Adrenal Glands Important?

Stress Response: The adrenal glands are essential for managing stress. They produce cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” which helps the body react to stress by increasing energy availability, controlling blood sugar levels, and enhancing brain function.
Fluid Balance and Blood Pressure: The adrenal glands also produce aldosterone, which helps regulate salt and water balance in the body, influencing blood pressure.
Sex Hormones: Although most sex hormones are produced in the reproductive organs, the adrenal glands contribute a small but important amount, particularly post-menopause or in situations where the body needs extra support.
Anti-Inflammatory Role: Cortisol has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why synthetic versions, like cortisone and prednisone, are used to treat inflammatory conditions.

Functions of Cortisol

Cortisol is central to how the adrenal glands support overall health. It plays a role in:

Inflammation Control: Reduces inflammation and supports immune function.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Increases blood sugar to provide energy during stressful situations.
Sleep-Wake Cycle: Helps regulate circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.
Blood Pressure Control: Works with aldosterone to regulate blood pressure.
Metabolism: Influences how the body uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy.

Adrenal Dysregulation and Chronic Stress

Dietary Recommendations

Avoid Food Sensitivities: Food sensitivities can trigger stress and inflammation, worsening adrenal health.
Limit Sugars and Processed Grains: High sugar intake can spike insulin levels and put additional strain on the adrenals. Opt for whole grains instead of processed grains, as they provide more stable energy.

Lifestyle Recommendations

Stress Reduction: Since stress is a primary trigger for cortisol production, managing it is key. Incorporating relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help.
Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep to allow the body to recover and regulate cortisol levels.
Daily Movement: Regular, moderate exercise supports adrenal health by balancing stress and energy levels.

Read the rest on https://debbiepotts.net/the-cortisol-and-weight-gain-connection/

Previous Episode

Episode #544 Carnivore, Food Addictions & Finding your WHY with Lisa Wiedeman

Are you an ambitious, high performer on a mission to improve the aging process? Do you struggle to get the desired results even when doing all the "right" things? Is the Carnivore diet right for you? Today Coach Debbie talks to Lisa Wiedeman- an eye doctor for 33 yrs and carnivore for over 15 years. During these past years as a carnivore she has run four Half Marathons plus she lift weights using slow burn method of single set to failure. We talk about addictions, relationship to food, cravings and more thoughts from Lisa and her journey as... How did you overcome your sugar/carb addiction? Do you feel the carnivore lifestyle is healthy and sustainable?

Watch video here and hit subscribe! https://youtu.be/abu4COYvESo?si=zhLoBHqOcr0G2EyG

Dr. Wiedeman is an optometric physician with over 33 years in practice. She practices root cause healing. So many ocular diseases & disorders present themselves after long term eating of processed foods. She herself suffered from sugar/carb/processed food addiction and researched and came to eating a carnivore diet in 2009, over 15 years ago. She now dedicates most of her time providing one on one coaching, hosting coaching groups, Carnivore Beach Retreats and educating viewers on her YouTube channels. For information you can contact her on Instagram or YouTube @CarnivoreDoctor or on her website: carnivore-doctor.com Join her membership group where you will have daily contact to be able to talk & ask questions Https://carnivore-doctor-community.mn...

Carb Sober Community https://carnivore-doctor-community.mn...

Carnivore Beach Retreats Information http://carnivore-beach-retreat.mailch...

YouTube Channel / @carnivoredoctor For 1 on 1 Coaching: https://carnivoredoctor.bigcartel.com

What are you doing today to live your best self at age 70, 80 and 90 plus years old? Are you taking ownership of your health and your future self now so you can thrive as you age instead of struggle?? Life is not a race. It is a Journey. External and HIDDEN internal sources of CHRONIC Stress will impact all efforts... check out the elements of what I call "The WHOLESTIC Method" to transform the WHOLE you from the inside out to burn fat, improve performance and longevity. There is not a once size fits all solution. We are all unique. The struggle is real and I understand the challenges as well as frustrations in finding the right answers to feeling and looking your best -especially when you think you are doing everything "right". Doctors may tell you that your lab results are "normal" and there is nothing is wrong with you - but you know that you are off and not performing your best in life or sports. Let's investigate what is actually going on under the hood and put your missing of your health puzzle back together again. Choose to thrive each day and not survive the day. Contact Coach Debbie for a complimentary 20-minute call to discover more. Connect and Follow Coach Debbie: Life is Not a Race...It is a Journey: Learn how to pace the WHOLE you with The WHOLESTIC Method

Next Episode

Episode #545 Making sense of your CGM with Catherine Staffier from NutriSense

Are you an ambitious, high performer on a mission to improve the aging process? Do you struggle to get the desired results even when doing all the "right" things? If you are curious about wearing a CGM but not sure what to do or how to use the data collected... listen to this episode with Catherine Staffier. Glucose variability and optimal ranges? Correlations to insulin sensitivity? Exercise and glucose? Nutrient timing and exercise on glucose? Stress on glucose? Fasting too long? Metabolic Flexibility? Alcohol consumption? How to use for Fat loss? Performance gains? Metabolic health/longevity? What are you doing today to live your best self at age 70, 80 and 90 plus years old? Are you taking ownership of your health and your future self now so you can thrive as you age instead of struggle?? Life is not a race. It is a Journey. External and HIDDEN internal sources of CHRONIC Stress will impact all efforts... check out the elements of what I call "The WHOLESTIC Method" to transform the WHOLE you from the inside out to burn fat, improve performance and longevity. There is not a once size fits all solution. We are all unique. The struggle is real and I understand the challenges as well as frustrations in finding the right answers to feeling and looking your best -especially when you think you are doing everything "right". Doctors may tell you that your lab results are "normal" and there is nothing is wrong with you - but you know that you are off and not performing your best in life or sports. Let's investigate what is actually going on under the hood and put your missing of your health puzzle back together again. Choose to thrive each day and not survive the day. Contact Coach Debbie for a complimentary 20-minute call to discover more. Connect and Follow Coach Debbie: Life is Not a Race...It is a Journey: Learn how to pace the WHOLE you with The WHOLESTIC Method https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540572005

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