Our ADRENAL glands, which are two small almond nut sized glands each positioned on top of the kidneys, are also known as the “Stress Glands” in the body.

Stress comes in many forms, physical, mental and emotional.  At the end of the day, stress, from a psycho-mental or psycho-emotional point of view, exerts a “flight or fight” reaction in the body inducing the perception of fear, or danger, or harm, resulting in the production of adrenalin and cortisol from the adrenal glands.

Adrenalin is necessary to increase your heart rate, blood pressure and sugar (glucose) levels to provide more blood, oxygen and energy for your muscles and brain to fight the “enemy”, or to run away from the “enemy”.  In this case, the “enemy” may be any “stressor” such as a person, place, object, or situation.  Cortisol is nature’s anti-inflammation agent and calms the immune system down after it has been over-activated during the “fight or flight” reaction to stress.

In essence, the production of adrenalin and cortisol is not a bad thing, however, we humans were never meant to be stressed all the time, or having to run away from lions, or fight for our lives every day!  Too much adrenalin and cortisol results in inflammation, under or over activity of the immune system and excess generation of chemicals called “free radicals” which damage and destroy your DNA, cells, tissues and organs in the body.

This can result in chronic anxiety, depression, loss of memory, mental fatigue, loss of focus and attention, physical exhaustion, a weakened immune system, auto-immune diseases, chronic diseases, cancer, weight gain or weight loss, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, premature ageing, adrenal “BURN OUT” and even death.

The stress glands (adrenals), also secrete other hormones such as aldosterone and DHEAS which control the electrolytes (salts) and accessory production of the male and female sex hormones (e.g. testosterone, estrogens and progesterone) in the body.  Adrenal dysfunction (under performance) results in multiple organs and systems being stressed.  The cofactors and building blocks of the hormones manufactured by the adrenal glands include the B complex group of vitamins, vitamin C, sodium, potassium and magnesium, as well as certain amino acids.  Another group of chemicals which are extremely beneficial for and supportive of the adrenal glands are the plant chemicals known as “adaptogens”.

These adaptogens are found in certain plants all over the world and include Siberian ginseng, Panax ginseng, Indian ginseng (Ashwaganda), Rhodiola and Sutherlandia.  They have been proven in scientific studies to enhance adrenal function and increase one’s resistance to stress and increase endurance.

XTREME HEALTH.CO.ZA has a highly recommended “Adrenal Booster/Stress Buster” food supplement called ADRENAL STRESS BOOSTER capsules, which contain magnesium and L-arginine (an important amino acid), as well as adaptogens from the Siberian ginseng and Ashwaganda adpatogenic plants, which have been used for thousands of years in natural medicines to support the mind and body against stress and mental and physical fatigue.