Your Adrenal Glands Are Amazing. Here’s What They Do.
I want to give a shout-out to a true #goat , the adrenal glands.
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On top of each of your two kidneys sits a small adrenal gland. This is where the adrenal 95% of whole food Vitamin C is stored in your body.
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This is also where A LOT of hormones are made, including:
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💪Androgens like testosterone
🧂Mineralcorticoids like aldosterone
🍬Glucocorticoids like cortisol
🦋Other hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline
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One of the most important roles of the adrenal glands is that they help keep our blood sugar stable by making fuel (glucose) available when it isn't. They also help us respond to stress (fight or flight response). They do this via a few of the hormones mentioned above, including cortisol.
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When we’re under stress (physical, emotional, chemical, etc) OR when our blood sugar drops (which is a stress in itself), the adrenal glands release stress hormones which:
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⚒️Break down protein from muscle for raw materials to create fuel (glucose)
⚒️Break down triglycerides from fat cells for raw materials to create fuel (glucose)
🚫Stop white blood cells from producing inflammation (anti-inflammatory)
🚫Stop the immune system (immunosuppression)
↗️Boost sodium retention
↩️Redirect blood flow to critical organs
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As you can see, the adrenal glands are one of the most dynamic organs in the body. They do A LOT to help us adapt to stress (and keep us alive). The above is only a small snapshot.
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With such an important job, it should be clear these guys need a lot of nourishment. Let’s show some appreciation for these amazing little glands...maybe with an adrenal cocktail or two! 😉
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
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References
Tortora, G.J. Derrickson, B. (2015). Introduction to the Human Body: The Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology. John Wiley & Sons.
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