the nervous system to regulate the important coping mechanisms,
including the “fight or flight” reactions. The adrenal glands accom-
plish their work through the production of certain hormones, making
them not only essential for stress coping and optimal human per-
formance, but also for life itself. These hormones help with stress reg-
ulation, sex and reproduction, growth, aging, cellular repair, elec-
trolyte balance and blood-sugar control.
The nervous system also helps in coping with stress. This occurs
through messages sent throughout the brain and nervous system, and
through two other important stress hormones, epinephrine and nor-
epinephrine.
Cortisol is the key adrenal stress hormone, and commonly meas-
ured by simple blood and saliva tests. When your body is under high
stress, cortisol levels can increase dramatically, and when the stress
passes it returns to normal levels. In chronic stress states — the con-
tinuation of stress without relief — high cortisol levels can become
dangerous. This can adversely affect the brain, especially memory,
create blood sugar problems, reduce fat-burning, suppress immune
function, lowering the body’s defense against not just cold and flu but
any infections, and cause intestinal distress. Long-standing stress can
result in a “burning out” of adrenal function, with a serious loss of
normal hormone production. In this state, cortisol levels become dan-
gerously low, along with other hormones made by the adrenals.
The sex hormones, including estrogens, progesterone and testos-
terone, are also important adrenal hormones that help both males and
females maintain proper sexual function and reproductive health.
The adrenals also make dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, which is
the precursor to the estrogens, and testosterone.
This discussion is not about adrenal disease, rather, the gray area
between normal adrenal function and disease. Addison’s disease
occurs when the adrenal glands are unable to produce sufficient cor-
tisol to sustain life. It can occur in men and women of all age groups;
symptoms include severe weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low
blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin. The disease is
also called adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism.
294 • IN FITNESS AND IN HEALTH