Stress can come in many forms. Stressors like sleep deprivation, sedentary workplace environments, and exposure to toxins through our food and environment can have both short- and long-term impacts on our physical and emotional well-being. Nutritional deficiencies, gut dysbiosis, mental/emotional stress, overexercising, and undereating are also stressors that impact our nervous system.

One of the major ways psychological and physical stress impacts us is through the stress hormone, cortisol.

Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands. It’s known as the stress hormone because it’s released during times of physical and psychological stress. It increases your heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and breathing rate to give you a natural energy boost to take on whatever stressor is coming your way. However, long-term, “chronic stress” is an issue.

The body’s response to everyday stressors is largely managed by a central stress response system, known as the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis or HPA axis. It’s responsible for connecting our brain to our hormone system which, in turn, impacts everything from mood and energy to metabolism, immunity, and sex drive.

Chronic stress can lead to high cortisol levels all the time, and that can have a serious impact on your health. Over time, your adrenals can’t keep up, leaving you depleted, and now, not producing enough cortisol.

This is why it’s important to replenish with essential nutrients to support healthy adrenal gland function.

Redmond REAL salt - Use code AKFunctionalnutrition for discount.

Two Important Adrenal Nutrients

High-quality Sea Salt. When you are chronically stressed, you may notice you often crave salt. This is partly because cortisol regulates sodium; when cortisol is low there will not be enough sodium retention in the body, resulting in salt cravings. When your adrenal glands are taxed, sodium levels drop below normal and sodium starts to excrete through urine. What's worse, it takes water with it which could lead to a dehydrated state. When your adrenal glands are taxed, they produce less aldosterone -- an important hormone that when not at optimal levels disrupts sodium balance.
Vitamin C. Your adrenal glands have a high concentration of vitamin C and require vitamin C to produce cortisol. This means your adrenals are using up vitamin C at a more rapid rate, and need extra replenishment, during and after periods of high stress.

Morning Adrenal Elixir

Enjoy as your first drink of the morning to best support your adrenals and nervous system.

1 cup warm/hot filtered water
1/4 tsp of sea salt (I recommend Redmond's Real Salt. Use code AKFunctionalnutrition for a discount.)
Fresh lemon squeeze (vitamin C)