Page 21 - Winter2017
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specific roles. Cortisol summons stored glucose  encountered, did not “know too much to ask   Even before
            from glycogen stored in the liver and muscles;  the Indian.”
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            at the same time it prevents muscle and adipose     Nutrients that support adrenal function   birth, cortisol
            tissue from taking up glucose, sparing it for use  thus  include  cholesterol-rich  foods  such  as  is necessary.
            by the brain and heart.                   eggs, especially their yolks, from both fish and   It provides
                Even before birth, cortisol is necessary. It  fowl; liver and adrenal glands; and full-fat dairy
            provides for the maturation of the surfactant  such as cream, butter and cheese. In addition,   for the
            of lungs in fetal development; without it, the  foods rich in vitamin C complex  are impor- maturation
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            newborn infant ends up in respiratory distress.  tant and are found in deeply colored fruits and   of the
            Glucocorticoids, represented here by cortisol,  vegetables, particularly the dark colored fruits
            have potent anti-inflammatory and immuno-  of summer. Their antioxidant qualities protect   surfactant of
            suppressive properties, and thus are widely used  from the intense oxidizing properties of the sun. lungs in fetal

            for (temporary) relief of arthritis, dermatitis                                    development;
            (eczema and rashes) and autoimmune diseases.  GONADOTROPHINS
                Mental, emotional and physical stress are     Gonadotrophic-releasing hormone (GnRH)   without
            all registered by the hypothalamus, which then  from the hypothalamus stimulates the ante- it, the
            informs the anterior pituitary to awaken the ad-  rior pituitary to generate follicle-stimulating   newborn
            renal glands to rouse the particular tissues to ac-  hormone (FSH), followed by luteinizing hor-
            tion. Stress leads to breakdown of bodily tissues  mone (LH). These travel to the gonads—the   infant ends
            for use as fuel, specifically tissues that are high  reproductive organs in both men and women.  up in
            in collagen, since its main component amino  FSH stimulates the production of estrogen and   respiratory
            acid, glycine, is readily converted to glucose.  follicular development in the ovaries of women.
            The effect is consumption of resources which  LH then activates the release of the ovum as   distress.
            ideally should be available for self-restoration.  well as stimulating the production of proges-
            Instead those resources are directed to deal with  terone—optimistic that the ovum (single egg)
            external stimuli, resulting in joint deterioration  will be fertilized and need the differentiating
            and loss of collagen bone matrix, precursors to  and protective qualities of progesterone. The
            osteoporosis.                             actions of FSH and LH are coordinated with the
                The most obvious effects of chronically  ebb and flow of estrogen(s) and progesterone in
            elevated cortisol are disrupted carbohydrate  women’s menstrual cycles.
            metabolism—blood sugar imbalance—and im-     In men, FSH stimulates the development of
            paired immune function. Both engender chronic  spermatozoa,  and LH stimulates the secretion
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            inflammation, the perfect setup for metabolic  of testosterone. Testosterone works in concert
            syndrome. Metabolic syndrome generally mani-  with FSH to complete spermatogenesis, the
            fests as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, the  maturation of sperm. Testosterone also provides
            two biggest health problems in modern western  for the development of male secondary sex
            society.                                  characteristics such as deepening of the voice,
                Indicators of adrenal dysfunction, affected  facial hair and increased muscle mass.
            by cortisol imbalance, with commentary, are     In addition to production in the ovaries
            shown on page 20. Please note that many health  and testes, respectively, the sex hormones are
            issues that are attributed to adrenal dysfunc-  produced in the third, innermost layer of the
            tion are really whole body imbalances. The  adrenal cortex, the zona reticularis. Succinctly,
            hormones of the endocrine system are merely  DHEA is a cholesterol-based hormone from
            the messengers.                           which androgens and estrogens are produced.
                In addition to containing the richest store of  DHEA also has a permissive effect. That is,
            cholesterol in the body, the adrenal glands hold  its presence facilitates the production of neu-
            the highest concentration of vitamin C complex.  rotransmitters, which affect memory and mood.
            The indigenous folk of northern Canada knew  Neurotransmitter imbalances are more likely to
            this and shared the information with Dr. Price  occur when DHEA levels are less than optimal.
            because he, unlike other white men they had  Also, when DHEA is low, which happens after

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