Functional medicine provides a method for rebalancing our bodily functions (the body's systems) and addressing lifestyle issues contributing to illness. Functional medicine looks at lab work and overall health to determine what triggers dysfunction.
When your hormone production and secretion are out of order, you may battle feeling tired during the day and energized when you're supposed to be resting. You may struggle with adrenal fatigue, which centers on a primary hormone, cortisol. Cortisol is a necessary stress hormone, but when there's too much or too little present, it affects our energy and plays a significant role in weight. Long-term stress exposure keeps the body in an acute state of inflammation. High levels of cortisol are an indicator of chronic stress exposure; excess cortisol research has been correlated with:
Increased Weight Gain
Mood Swings (High Irritability)
Blood Sugar Abnormalities
Skin Issues
Fatigue
Here's how cortisol can lead to weight gain. Cortisol stimulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism, essential in survival situations, but also increases appetite, specifically for salty, sugary, and carb-rich foods. The top processed food companies have invested heavily in creating products that ensure the perfect balance of this combination. Referred to as "The Bliss Point," a balance of excess sugar, salt, and fat sparks intense cravings in consumers. Hooking us in a cycle of junk food. It makes you wonder if a relationship exists between weight gain, stress eating, and fast food cravings.
The Adrenal Balance Journey
START WITH A STRESS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chronic stress can lead to excess cortisol, insulin, and norepinephrine, leading to adrenal exhaustion and hormonal imbalance. How should we reset? Make a stress management plan that is practical and doable. Learn how to say no to excessive demands on your time. Invest time and energy in yourself, not everyone else. Pursue reinvention, which can look like:
Committing to a 20-minute daily prayer and meditation practice
Choose an activity that allows you to relax: Fishing, A Massage, Read for Pleasure, Etc.
Enjoy a walk, do some breathwork exercises, or dance to your favorite playlist
It doesn’t need to be something big or long and unattainable. The focus is on implementing stress-reducing tools and activities throughout your day. My favorites include walking in nature, journaling, and watching comedy specials for hearty laughs. Be sure to reflect on your workload and personal relationships, setting healthy boundaries when necessary.
The Power of Rest
I am a night owl. During my childhood, evening adventures were my favorite time of day. I would stay up late, watch movies, eat snacks, play video games, and read my favorite books until dawn. In college, I spent many evenings roaming through the French Quarter with my friend or up all night studying for exams. The hardest thing for me to do is go to bed.
When you have adrenal fatigue, your circadian rhythm is out of whack. Everyone should be getting between 7-8 hours of sleep a night. This is important for many reasons, especially for your hormone health. This is because your body uses this time of rest to regulate cortisol and other hormones. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can lead to chronically elevated cortisol. Cultivate a nighttime routine that fits your lifestyle, helps you wind down, and prepare your body for sleep. Shut off electronics an hour or two before bed (or get blue light screen protectors), or sleep with a weighted blanket. But most importantly, go to bed.
NUTRIENT-DENSE FOODS AND HYDRATE
In the process of a food journey, the main goal should focus on creating a nourishing diet. Sometimes I put too much pressure on myself, attempting foreign recipes and trying to fit in all new foods within a week. But you do not need to change your favorite meals; change the ingredients. For example, swap different greens in your salad; it takes the same amount of time to prepare the new salad but is more nutrient dense.
A lot of times, cravings result from being depleted of certain nutrients. So there are a couple of things I want to recommend:
Keep meals familiar so your taste can adapt to changes
Shop for Better Ingredients and Prioritize Nutrient Dense Foods
Eat plenty of colorful ingredients and add healthy fats (olive or avocado oil)
Prioritize fiber and Add in Supplements (Consider High Potency Multivitamins)
Drink Properly Mineralized Water
*Most of us drink dead water, water with all its minerals removed. Water needs some minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, to provide key health benefits.
Exploring Herbal Medicine and Supplements
Adaptogens are a broad family of herbs and plant medicines that help your body handle stress and support optimal hormone health. This is because adaptogens have a balancing effect on your brain and hormone system. Adaptogens perfectly harmonize a healthy mood, metabolism, immune system, energy, and sex drive.
Although every person’s health case is unique, we can attempt to rebalance by addressing the most common triggers:
Learn about common adaptogens and traditional herbal medicine:
Ginseng - used to combat fatigue
Turkey Tail and Reishi - mushrooms used to boost the immune system & fight cancer
Holy Basil - Adaptogen that supports healthy stress response
Ashwagandha - Adaptogen that assists adrenal function, and promotes a healthy response to occasional stress
Detoxify your liver and kidneys:
The liver and kidneys act as filters, processing the harmful effects of toxins from our environment and the products we put in our bodies. Everyday toxins, such as alcohol, drugs, caffeine, or environmental agents, compromise the liver’s capacity to cleanse our blood. Certain herbal medicines support the liver by replenishing and restoring cellular health.
Milk Thistle: Restores liver cells that have been damaged from toxin exposure.
Turmeric: Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant rich, known to support liver function
Dandelion: Supports liver detoxification, kidneys elimination pathway, and relaxes the excretory system
Burdock Root: A superfood that supports the liver and lymphatic systems
Before adding them to your routine, discuss herbal supplements with a healthcare professional to avoid adverse medication reactions. You can take them as supplements, drink them in teas, or experiment with tinctures and tonics. If you prefer a whole-food alternative, pack your diet with dark leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower packed with B vitamins. B vitamins act as fuel for boosting your body’s ability to detox.
Environmental agents
Go Non-Toxic & Clean Beauty
One of the biggest things you can do to overcome inflammation is to eliminate products that mimic estrogen, altering our hormonal health. Genetically modified foods, conventional household cleaners, perfumes, candles, air fresheners, and beauty products all contain chemicals that can affect our hormones. Try swapping them out for plant-based, non-toxic household cleaners and personal care products. Here's a list of my favorite non-toxic household and personal care items.
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