It’s time for a pop quiz…how well do you know your adrenals?
1. Where are your adrenal glands?
a) They are just another word for your kidneys
b) They’re just above each kidney
c) Not everybody has adrenal glands
ANSWER: B – They’re just above each kidney
Everyone has a set of adrenal glands and they hang out just above each kidney. If you turn around and place your hands on your mid to lower back, you’d probably be hovering over your adrenal area. They are a little funny looking. The right side is in the shape of a triangle (kinda) and the left looks more like a half moon. They’re yellow and tend to go unnoticed by most people.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the adrenals:
Quick Breakdown of the Adrenals:
- The outer shell is called the capsule and it’s a fat layer that protects the gland.
- Next you have the cortex, which is divided into three zones. Don’t try to pronounce this if you’re out in public because these words are real doozies. They are zona glomerulosa, zona fasiculata and zona reticularis.
- The above zones all surround the core of the adrenal gland called the medulla.
2. What do adrenal glands do?
a) Control hormones that respond to stress
b) Help you bounce back from an illness
c) Balance your sex drive
d) All of the above
Adrenals have a myriad of functions, but one of the most important is the production of adrenaline aka epinephrine. They also secrete the hormone that has the ability to raise blood pressure. Hormones are affected by your emotional state, physical wellbeing and psychological health. Adrenals regulate the energy production and storage and have the ability to impact immunity, heart function and even muscle tone. It’s crazy to think how little triangle and half moon shaped objects can have such powerful influence in our bodies!
When adrenals are functioning correctly, they meet a crisis such as an illness and release the correct hormone levels in order to help us deal with it effectively. If the adrenals aren’t working properly then insufficient amounts are released and we lapse into what is called adrenal fatigue.
3. Is adrenal fatigue a disease?
a) Yes
b) No
This is a trick question! In recent years there’s been a rise of epidemic proportions in cases of adrenal fatigue. The medical community doesn’t quite recognize it as a disease but as more and more doctors are seeing cases of it, it’s definitely causing quite a stir.
4. What causes adrenal fatigue?
a) Recently sick
b) Not getting enough sleep
c) Increased stress
d) None of the above
Another trick question! The answer is that there are a few different ways your adrenals can be affected, including: exposure to chemicals, recently ill, poor diet, lack of exercise, substance abuse, not getting enough sleep, increased stress, and emotional trauma. When your adrenals are in over-drive, it can cause you to feel tired for no reason, have a decreased sex drive, and have a hard time bouncing back after sickness.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the possibility of having adrenal fatigue, take heart. One of the best ways to build your adrenals back up to healthy, functioning levels is to practice gentle pilates, and relax your mind with yoga. I’ve put together the Adrenal Reset Kit for you so you can wake up alert and energized, every morning! As a bonus, it includes a 1-hour presentation where I’ll teach you how stay effortlessly energetic at any age.
Reset Your Adrenals To Wake Up Alert and Energized…Every Morning!
The Adrenal Reset Kit Includes…
- Ageless Energy Talk – In this 1-hour presentation, I’ll teach you how to maintain an active lifestyle and stay effortlessly energetic.
- Gentle Pilates DVD – Reset your adrenals, and regain your energy while tightening your “powerhouse.”By isolating hard-to-reach muscles using Pilates principles, you’ll revel a stronger, healthier body!
- Yoga Sculpt DVD – Feel revitalized! Yoga Sculpt includes two complete yoga workouts to increase your energy, relax your mind and strengthen your midsection. Includes both foundation level and advanced yoga.
