|
SAMPLE
RECOMMENDATONS
To
show you what a typical online recommendation would look like, I have
chosen my corrective recommendations for the adrenal glands. All 54
deficiencies have similarly detailed background information and corrective
recommendations. Additionally, within most recommendations you will
find links to related deficiencies/imbalances (although they are removed
from this sample).
Nutritional
Imbalance: Adrenal System
According
to the nutritional symptoms you noted in your answers to the nutritional
quiz, you may have symptoms of either overactive or underactive adrenals
(or both). Having symptoms of both overactive and underactive adrenals
simultaneously is not unusual because your adrenals may tend to "seesaw"
back and forth when stressed.
To
refresh your memory, here is the background information on the adrenals
and following that are my recommendations to help you bring your adrenals
into balance.
OVERACTIVE (or UNDERACTIVE) ADRENALS
The
adrenal glands are located just above the kidneys, and consist of two
parts, the inner medulla and the cortex (outer covering). When your nervous
system senses danger (physical or psychological) the adrenal glands release
adrenalin and noradrenaline, the "fight or flight", stress-response hormones,
into your bloodstream -- which immediately constrict your blood vessels
and raise your blood pressure. Blood vessels in your gut are simultaneously
constricted, which causes stomach muscle stress and contraction and quickly
slows or stops all digestive processes. This partly explains why food
is difficult to digest if you try to eat while under stress.
Today, for many people these stress-response
hormones are triggered on a low-grade level all day long. Driving in
heavy traffic, dealing with stressful situations at work or at home,
always feeling rushed - even watching television news -all contribute
to a constant state of alertness and overstimulation. But our bodies
weren't designed for constant stress; our adrenals need a period of
rest after the release of stress hormones..
When our adrenals are overactive it
can lead to chronic high blood pressure, anxiety, mood swings, depression,
destructive personality changes and other mental instabilities. When
the adrenals continue in an overactive state for an extended period,
they are likely to become underactive -- worn down and unable to respond
at all. This state of weakened adrenals may result in fatigue, insomnia,
allergies and hypoglycemia.
Changes in diet and lifestyle, plus
a carefully designed program of nutritional supplements can help restore
the balance and health of the adrenal glands.
Adrenal System Recommendations:
If
your adrenal glands are undernourished you might have a high score on
one or both of the "underactive" or "overactive" adrenals categories.
You cannot have optimum health if your adrenals are undernourished and
a well balanced diet is essential to adrenal health. Potassium is very
important to the adrenal glands. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources
of potassium. Try to include more of the following in your diet: carrots,
corn, avocado, potatoes, tomatoes, asparagus, lima beans, spinach, apples,
apricots, bananas, cantaloupe, oranges, peaches, plums, strawberries and
sea vegetables (arame, bladder wrack, dulse, hijiki, kelp, kombu, nori,
sea palm and wakame). Sea vegetables are such a good source of many minerals
that I advise adding them to your diet right away. They can be chopped
in the food processor or blender and sprinkled over food, or added to
soup after it is cooked. Chicken and fish are also good sources. If you
can add enough of these foods to your diet you may not need a potassium
supplement, other than a good multivitamin/mineral tablet. Keeping your
salt intake low will also help avoid potassium deficiency.
Pantothenic acid is also extremely
important for the adrenals. It is in whole grains, lentils, beans, peas,
cauliflower, broccoli, salmon, liver, tomatoes and peanuts. If you do
not eat some of these foods daily, you should take a B complex tablet
with at least 50mg of pantothenic acid in it. Take 500mg of vitamin
C with bioflavonoids and 200 I.U.'s vitamin E daily. If you have a high
score, take an extra pantothenic acid supplement for three to four months,
for a total of 500mg daily. Other nutrients essential to healthy adrenals
are: Essential Fatty Acids, amino acids, vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin
C and the minerals chromium, zinc, selenium, magnesium and manganese.
Cut back on red meat, fatty foods, alcohol and caffeine. Try to eat
several small meals a day, consisting of the recommended whole foods,
for the next few months -- not too much food at one time.
Stress plays a large part in wearing
down the adrenals and learning stress modification techniques is crucial
in restoring their vitality. Moderate enjoyable exercise, such as walking,
is very relaxing and beneficial for adrenal health.
A self test to check adrenal health:
You
will need a blood pressure monitor.
-
Lie down and rest for five minutes.
-
After five minutes, take your blood pressure (while lying
down).
-
Next, stand up and immediately take another reading.
If
your blood pressure is lower after you stand up, your adrenals
may be functioning poorly. |
|
