Adrenal hyperfunction, or overactive adrenals, occurs when the adrenal glands produce excessive hormones like cortisol. Both positive and negative stress activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, triggering the release of stress hormones in a "fight or flight" response.
This response helps the body deal with immediate threats by increasing energy, suppressing non-essential functions like digestion and reproduction, and enhancing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to vital organs.
Chronic stress can lead to constant HPA axis activation, resulting in health problems due to elevated cortisol levels, affecting reproduction, growth, and thyroid function.
Supportive supplements for managing adrenal health include ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng, holy basil, Rhodiola rosea, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, antioxidants, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and phosphatidylserine. These supplements help reduce stress hormone levels and improve the body's ability to cope with stress.
Source: Patani, Anil et al. “Harnessing the power of nutritional antioxidants against adrenal hormone imbalance-associated oxidative stress.” Frontiers in endocrinology vol. 14 1271521. 30 Nov. 2023, doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1271521 This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).
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