Feeling frazzled? You’re not alone. In a 2006 survey (pre-recession) more than half of working American adults and 47 percent of Americans said they were concerned with the amount of stress in their lives. A study published by the American Psychological Association in 2009 noted that money, work and the economy were the primary sources of stress. Stress is part of living, but with lifestyles that favor excessive stimulant and vitamin-anemic food consumption, over-working and sedentary ways, stress is inevitable.
When we’re stressed, our adrenal glands produce more cortisol. Cortisol is our stress hormone. This is our “fight or flight” hormone that prepares us to battle whatever is threatening us. Most of the time in today’s world, the stressor doesn’t threaten our life. It’s usually a self or work imposed deadline, or a chronic pattern of willingly ingested Starbuck’s Mochas or juicy Big Macs that stress us. But, our bodies don’t know the difference: we’re stressed.
Cortisol and other adrenal hormones remain crucial in:
- Energy production
- Fluid and electrolyte balance
- Proper fat storage
- Proper immune system functioning
- Blood sugar and blood pressure regulation
Over time, our adrenal glands wear out, and our cortisol levels plummet or see-saw, wreaking havoc in our daily lives. When some people say they can’t handle stress, they say that they’re having a “nervous breakdown”. They’re actually experiencing an “adrenal breakdown”. The end result is called adrenal fatigue syndrome, a widespread, under-diagnosed condition that makes life miserable. Symptoms of adrenal fatigue vary, but common symptoms include:
- Morning and general fatigue, afternoon low, dinnertime energy high and a second wind after 10PM
- Cravings for foods high in salt and fat
- Mild depression and/or anxiety
- Worsened allergies, PMS or menopausal symptoms
- Muscle weakness, lightheadedness
- Struggle handling stress
But don’t fret. Help is here. IsoCort is a proprietary plant-based blend of cortisol. Essentially, with adrenal fatigue, your adrenal glands have nearly shut down and cortisol levels are minimal and/or erratic. Replacing cortisol with pre-determined amounts stimulates your adrenal glands to boost its natural production. Because cortisol is produced in an area of the adrenal gland that most other hormones are not, some adrenal support formulas that you buy in the store may not be selective and they may contain various hormones like adrenaline, for instance, which is the last thing you need.
IsoCort also contains 6 mg of Echinacea Purpurea, to further support your compromised immune system. Other inactive ingredients in IsoCort are: lactose, magnesium stearate, starch arrowroot, maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium silicate, lactase. Since lactase is the enzyme needed to process lactose, those who are lactose intolerant should tolerate IsoCort well. Arrowroot is a gluten-free binding agent that is easily digestible.
Taking IsoCort remains a very fundamental step in your recovery, but it’s only the beginning. Modifying your lifestyle by cutting back on stimulants like caffeine, exercising regularly, minimizing stress, avoiding junk food and considering taking other supplements like magnesium and vitamins C, B, E each day will help you stay the course.
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