MARCH: IS YOUR MEAL PLAN CAUSING THE MAJORITY OF YOUR SYMPTOMS?
PART 2
Last month, we reviewed some great information about your FOOD contributing to the symptoms you are feeling — not your age. Recall: Feeling tired throughout the day, having less energy than you used to, and getting the “muffin-top” around your midsection are not part of the normal aging process. Waking up at night, and having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep are not part of the normal aging process. Feeling anxious and frustrated is not part of the normal aging process. And you should not be increasing the number of pills you take just to treat these symptoms. We need to identify the cause of these things you are feeling and treat this to see success. The first important component we discussed was your blood sugar. Research shows that 46.5% of Americans over the age of 50 are insulin resistant. Cortisol Hormone Cortisol is a stress hormone within our body. It is released from the adrenal glands, which are organs that sit above our kidneys in the abdomen. The cortisol hormone is a steroid. The release of cortisol is important in acute stress situations like running away from an alligator chasing you and other dangerous situations. It is the “fight or flight” hormone. Cortisol should naturally rise at 6 a.m. It should help to wake us up and provide energy throughout the day. It then should trend down throughout the day, with the exception of the acute stress situations as described above. Cortisol should naturally reach its lowest point at midnight to allow the individual to sleep and rest. The problem with cortisol is this: When individuals have chronic stress, like high-stress jobs or home lives, cortisol is released consistently and “chronically.” Chronic release of this stress hormone can cause the body to hold onto adipose tissue and redistribute this to the abdominal area, leading to belly fat. The next issue with the chronic release of cortisol is that the more cortisol released, the higher the blood sugar level is. If you remember, the higher the blood sugar, the less efficient our cells are to break down our food for energy, and food is stored as fat. Chronic cortisol release also interrupts the circadian rhythm, sleep, and cellular recovery. Sleep is its own entity when it comes to our body being efficient, but it is largely impacted by our blood sugar instability and cortisol levels! Many times, improving these two components will cure our sleep disorders. Another issue with the chronic release of cortisol is it is a steroid that
actually breaks down our gut lining and leads to leaky gut syndrome, autoimmune syndrome, and vitamin deficiencies. Gut Health Vitamin Levels It was just mentioned that the chronic release of cortisol can damage our gut lining and lead to leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut means your intestinal lining is not healthy and is allowing food particles, bacteria, and toxins to leave the intestinal tract (gut) and penetrate into tissues and the bloodstream. The problem with toxins getting into your tissues and bloodstream is that the immune system reacts to this. In addition, when the gut lining is unhealthy, vitamins and minerals from our food (or supplements) are not well absorbed due to damage to the intestinal structures. Now, we have the immune system reacting at a high level consistently and we are deficient in vital nutrients and minerals which make our organs function properly. Let’s break down the top five concerns with leaky gut and vitamin deficiencies: 1. The immune system is at a heightened state autoimmune disease. 2. Inflammation is high and the metabolism is not the main priority for your organs. 3. The immune system is worn out , the body is working hard , and your cells are tired. 4. Vital nutrients like vitamins D and B12, magnesium, and iron become deficient because they are not being
absorbed well, which increases the risk of insulin resistance, blood sugar stability, and weight gain
5. The immune system is fighting, which increases stress internally, releasing more of the cortisol hormone (and we already know the effects of this vicious cycle!) Leaky gut needs a lot of attention, but some of the most common causes of leaky gut are related to the foods you are consuming. Many individuals have food sensitivities they don’t know about. Food sensitivities can develop deep into adulthood, often after a trauma or stressor on our body. They can also present in childhood and change throughout our lives. Sugar is inflammatory and can break down our gut lining as well. The good news is that blood sugar instability, chronically high cortisol levels, and leaky gut syndrome are all treatable and reversible with the right foods for your body, the right balance of your macronutrients, and the right gut healing techniques. Working with a professional can be life-changing for you. –Jenni Berman
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