B Complex To
Restore The Adrenal Glands From Stress
Author:
Darrell Miller
The B vitamins comprise a range
of water soluble vitamins that
frequently work together to
impart a number of general
benefits to your body's health.
In general they support and
maintain the metabolic rate,
maintain the function of the
nervous system, support the
immune system, maintain healthy
skin and muscles and help to
promote cell growth and division.
They work together to suppress
the causes and symptoms of
cardiovascular disease and stress
and they are dispersed throughout
the whole of the body by means of
the circulation system of the
blood. |
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In very
general terms they collectively ensure
that the body is provided with energy
from the metabolism of carbohydrates and
glucose. They are also needed for the
metabolism of fats and proteins, and also
the maintenance and health of the nervous
system in general.
There are many natural sources, including
lentils, potatoes, liver, turkey,
brewer's yeast, and also, of course,
dietary supplements.
Vitamin B Complex can help to restore the
adrenal glands from stress, but to
understand how it does so, it is first
necessary to understand what these glands
are, and the part that they can play in
stress.
Both the adrenal glands are controlled by
what is known as the HPA axis, short for
the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis
which is the stress center of the body.
The adrenals are the main
steroid-producing plants in the body,
responsible not only for the adrenaline
hormones, but also for cortisone and
hydrocortisone, testosterone, estrogen,
cholesterol, progesterone and a number of
others. These are produced in the outer
cortex of the adrenal glands, whereas
adrenaline and noradrenaline are produced
and secreted by the medulla.
| Adrenaline
and cortisol are responsible
along with others for the balance
of your body fluids, blood sugar
and blood pressure and many of
the other main metabolic
functions of the body, and if the
adrenaline is not working
properly, it can disrupt the
metabolism of your blood glucose
into energy, giving you a weak
run-down and listless feeling.
This is not surprising since your
energy is failing at the cellular
level. |
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The main
reason for adrenal fatigue is stress.
Either emotional or physical stress or
even poor nutrition can be responsible
for reducing the functioning of the
glands to such an extent that they no
longer provide the steroid hormones in
the proper balanced quantities needed to
maintain the proper functioning of your
metabolic processes. Unlike Addison's
disease, which a complete stoppage of the
functioning of the adrenal glands, in
Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome the glands still
function, but at a reduced capacity and
the various products they are responsible
for generating are secreted in reduced
and imbalanced quantities.
However, fatigue is not normally the
first reaction of the body to stress. As
normal stress levels increase the bodies
response is generally to secrete higher
levels of adrenaline, and the cortex
produces extra cortisol and other
hormones. As stress continues beyond the
intermittent stage and becomes more
constant, the adrenals produce a more
sustained high level of hormones, that
generally raise blood pressure and also
increase the level of sugar in the blood
in order allow a sustained increase in
energy levels. Corticosteroids are
produced to maintain this higher level
reaction to stress.
Finally, when the adrenals can sustain
this high level of activity no longer,
adrenal fatigue sets in which is when the
worst symptoms of the stress are evident:
exhaustion, both physically and mentally,
excessive fear, guilt and worry, and
under-activity of the HPA axis leads to
depression, hopelessness and severe
illness, often due to a weakened immune
system.
So where does the B vitamin complex come
into this? Vitamin B complex includes
niacin, thiamine, pantothenic acid,
riboflavin, and vitamins B6 and B12. As
already stated, the complex is useful in
supporting many of the critical functions
of the body from healthy bones to healthy
blood cells, and nervous systems. It also
helps to maintain your reproductive
system and can be used in cases of
nerve-related conditions such as sciatica
and neurological conditions.
Pantothenic acid, vitamin B5, is
particularly useful in dealing with
stress in that it enhances the activity
of the adrenal glands. It also increases
your energy levels due to its effect on
the Krebs Cycle through its action as a
precursor of acetyl Coenzyme A and
acetylcholine which is a primary
neurotransmitter. This helps to reduce
fatigue and the pain of headaches caused
by excessive stress and consequent
reduction in adrenal output. Pantothenic
acid is also essential during the
metabolism of proteins, fats and
carbohydrates, and is important in the
maintenance of healthy nerves, skin and
glands.
In fact the whole of the vitamin B family
work together to make sure that your
whole nervous system and metabolism
remain healthy. People with high stress
jobs often take the vitamin B complex to
help reduce that stress and also anger.
Excessive stress and anger can lead to
anxiety and overwork the adrenal glands,
and B complex can help to restore these
to their normal function.
If you are concerned about your adrenal
health, you can have a simple test
carried out on your saliva, blood or
urine by a trained medical practitioner.
Many doctors do not know to carry out
this test since it is not a normal test
as would be used to detect Addison's
Disease, or complete adrenal failure, but
only adrenal fatigue, so ask specifically
for an adrenal fatigue check.
A quick self-test is to shine a light
into an eye using a flashlight while
looking in a mirror. The pupil should
contract and return to normal after about
30 seconds. If it fails to do so, or even
dilates, then that is a sign of adrenal
fatigue. However, you must have it
confirmed by a proper test.
All in all, a B complex supplement is a
good way to restore adrenal glands from
stress, and it also helps your nervous
system in general, in addition to aiding
the metabolic processes of your body.
However, make sure that your symptoms are
what you think they are by seeking
professional medical advice.
More
information on Adrenal fatigue and B
Complex Vitamin Supplements is available
at
VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/b-complex-to-restore-the-adrenal-glands-from-stress-333395.html
Adrenal Glands
Symptoms do appear and are often
vague and may include: Fatigue,
loss of energy, decreased immune
system with recurrent illness,
nausea and vomiting, diarrhea,
loss of appetite, weight loss,
muscle weakness, dizziness on
standing up, anxiety and
depression, decreased tolerance
to cold, hair loss in women
More
information on the Adrenal Glands |
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