iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll ThofthThsecholesterol known as steroids. Cholesterol becomes converted into preg-
nenolone, which is the precursor for DHEA, estrogen, testosterone, pro-
gesterone, aldosterone, and cortisol.
The adrenal cortex secretes varied amounts of hormones throughout the
day in a rhythmic pattern, with the highest amounts in the morning and
the lowest at night. When the adrenal glands are not putting out suf-
ficient amounts of hormones or the rhythm becomes disturbed, adrenal
dysfunction develops.
Stress and Adrenal Function
Stress is linked to most chronic illnesses. We already discussed what hap-
pens to the bacterial universe when we are feeling angry, fearful, or sad.
However, stress affects other parts of the body as well, contributing to the
development of autoimmune diseases.
Under normal conditions, the body creates an adaptive stress response via
the HPA axis and sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Let’s explore what
happens to the HPA axis when we are stressed.
Immediate Stress Response
The hypothalamus is our stress sensor in the brain. Once stress is
perceived, the hypothalamus sets off a hormone cascade that leads
to the activation of our fight-or-flight response (via the sympathetic
nervous system). The adrenals are our stress response glands and
release stress hormones.