Tired?
Exhaustion, tiredness and fatigue are not symptoms that define any one particular disease or symptom. Causes can range from lack of sleep and over exercise to diet and medications. The lack of energy associated with these can sometimes negatively impact normal daily activities, leading to problems with attentiveness and concentration.
If you find you are tired all day, sometimes for no reason at all, or have trouble getting up in the morning, and dependent on caffeine, you may be suffering from exhaustion.
One of the most important glands involved in promoting energy are the adrenal glands. These powerful little hormone producing glands manufacture and secrete almost 50 different hormones. Some of these include adrenalin, cortisol, estrogen and testosterone, all essential to your health and vitality.
One of major functions of the adrenal glands is that they activate the body’s fight-or-flight response. This is our body's automatic response that prepares the body to "fight" or "flee" from harm or threat. It causes the body to increase the amount of glucose or sugar in the blood, raises blood pressure, and promotes increased energy production by increasing levels of adrenaline and cortisol. Unfortunately due to the modern hectic lifestyle, excess stimulation and stresses, the adrenal glands are tirelessly on “high alert”. This means we can be constantly stuck in the fight or flight cycle which is very exhausting for our body.
Chronic infections also cause inflammation and stress that must be countered using the adrenal hormones. This also uses up the valuable supply of these important hormones.
Depression, exhaustion and apathy are often the result of low energy production in the cells. The hormone, cortisol, provides a natural high, but when depleted anxiety may occur. Low blood sugar, low blood pressure, low temperature, joint pain and allergies may also result from low levels of cortisol.
When under stresses, the need for quality nutrition is much greater. Stimulants such as caffeine, sugar and alcohol cause stress to the adrenal glands by causing them to over-secrete important hormones leaving your adrenals depleted. It is important to include nutrients like vitamins A, B, C and E, manganese, zinc, potassium and selenium through foods or quality supplements.