I find that 8 out of 10 women starting in their thirties are suffering from some type of adrenal slowdown. What I have gleaned from salivary hormone testing and TMA reports since January of 2009, is that nearly one half of all women no longer produce enough stress-fighting cortisol. The result is worn out adrenals that can’t make enough DHEA which then leads to low sex drive, bone loss, and even depression. The ability to heal is also dramatically inhibited by low adrenals as well as the ability to lose weight.

Both the adrenals and the thyroid help the body generate energy.

Perhaps this is why we are seeing such massive hypothyroidism which always accompanies adrenal burnout. But what is often missed in this connection is the importance of key minerals which regulate the way in which your body produces energy. If you understand how minerals interact with one another, you can balance your body’s ability to produce long lasting energy – whether it is physical, mental or
emotional.

So, let’s begin with calcium.

Excess calcium actually slows down the thyroid gland’s production of energy whereas potassium speeds it up. Both calcium and potassium are the two main minerals that regulate the thyroid. The correct balance between the two is what is essential.

Sadly, most of you are overdoing calcium ….because of advertising hype.

One of calcium’s main functions is to regulate metabolism – not just build bones. It slows down metabolic rate, which is why as we grow older, tissue calcium levels tend to rise. The body creates a “calcium shell.”

Since this mineral lines the cell membranes, a low level allows the membrane to be more permeable so that metabolism increases. In contrast, a high level of tissue calcium reduces permeability and brings metabolism to a halt.

One of the most misunderstood and misrepresented minerals, most individuals have an inability to utilize the calcium that is already in their tissues. Reasons for this: lack of the EFAs, not enough HCL, a lack of digestive enzymes or simply becoming too alkaline as we grow older, which can lead to osteoporosis, kidney stones, arthritis and allergies. Without the proper enzymes calcium can accumulate in the blood and settle in your blood vessels, eyes, joints, and kidneys.

Besides reducing calcium and dairy consumption (I don’t recommend more than 500 – 800 mg a day as a rule), consider supplementing with potassium.

Potassium is a primo regulator of sugar metabolism. Under prolonged stress, it can easily go out of whack resulting in blood sugar abnormalities.

Low potassium has been connected to depression and the inability for the liver to detoxify.

For adrenal burnout, here’s what I would do:

1) Try The Adrenal Formula — Start with 1 three times daily at 7 AM, 11 AM and 3 PM. If blood pressure is 90/60 or below, consider upping the dosage to 2 three times daily at the 7,11, 3 “adrenal” times.

2) Add 1/4 teaspoon plain salt (like Morton’s Canning and Picking Salt) to 8 ounces of plain water two to three times per day. This will help to balance cortisol levels that impact sodium and blood volume, especially if low blood pressure is an issue.

3) Add a potassium supplement. I use a potassium chloride supplement from Trace Elements Inc that UNI KEY sellls with the hair analysis results. You can take 1 each meal. I take 2 each meal because I am always low in potassium. Remember potassium equals cortisol!

4) Reduce stress as best you can (easier said than done, I know). Getting to bed by 10 p.m. seems to be a key because you regenerate better before midnight than after, according to many sources.

5) Last but not least, begin and end your day with something uplifting and spiritual that brings you outside of yourself and creates peace. I have begun reading Psalm 91 for this purpose.

All in all, I hope you all have a peaceful and stress-less week.