The adrenal glands secrete hormones that help to regulate a variety of processes in the human body, including metabolism and energy production. Chronic emotional and mental stress can cause adrenal exhaustion, a condition that hinders the ability of the adrenal glands to function optimally and can result in a significant increase of fat in the abdominal area.
Adrenal Exhaustion
The adrenal glands are responsible for secreting over 50 different hormones, including epinephrine and cortisol. The adrenals are extremely important in maintaining normal functioning metabolic and energy production systems. These glands are susceptible to the effects of stress, and it has been postulated that adrenal exhaustion is a direct result of too much mental and emotional stress. When the adrenals become exhausted, hormone production becomes less efficient, which in turn leads to negative effects on the body systems that rely on adrenal hormone production.
Decreased Metabolism
One hallmark sign of adrenal exhaustion is the increase in subcutaneous fat around the midsection. One factor that contributes to the accumulation of fat is the decrease in the production of the hormones that regulate the body's metabolic system. Adrenal exhaustion results in a decreased ability to burn carbohydrates, proteins and fats. This in turn encourages the body to store more of these nutrients in the form of fat, which will ultimately lead to an overall increase in adipose tissue throughout the body.
Cortisol
Studies have shown that cortisol, an adrenal hormone that aids in the regulation of blood sugar, can have a significant impact on your midsection. High levels of stress and adrenal exhaustion have been linked to chronic high levels of cortisol, and when too much cortisol is released into the bloodstream, it can encourage the body to store visceral fat. This type of fat surrounds the organs in the abdominal muscles and can have a negative impact on your health as well as your waistline. Visceral fat has also been linked to serious health complications such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.
Treating Adrenal Exhaustion
Adrenal exhaustion is closely linked to high levels of stress, and to restore normal adrenal function, it is important to decrease levels of stress as much as possible. Try learning stress management techniques to better handle everyday stressors. Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising and getting adequate amounts of sleep are all important in helping to support adrenal function.
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