Hi Everyone, There is so much discussion about stress. We actually have tools today to assess stress and cortisol levels and assist you to be your best. The Alcat Adrenal Stress Profile is one of those tools. Adrenal Stress Profile Overview The Adrenal Stress Profile measures cortisol levels at strategic times during the day (to assess deviations from normal 24-hour rhythms) and measures the most abundant form of DHEA known as DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S). Only free (unbound) circulating and biologically active hormones are measured in this profile. For many individuals chronic stress can disrupt metabolism and ultimately contribute to neurological conditions, gastrointestinal symptoms, skin issues, disruption of thyroid hormone production and balance; and other complications.4-9 Cortisol increases gut permeability thereby contributing to food sensitivities, resulting in more symptoms and increased stress. 10 Chronic stress ultimately disrupts the circadian rhythm of the body. This disruption can be assessed by measuring levels of the stress hormone cortisol (increased during stress) and the “de-stress” hormone DHEA (reduced during stress).11-15 In this DHEA and cortisol are inversely related, precursors (made from cholesterol) that would ordinarily be used to make DHEA are taken and shifted into cortisol production.16 The resulting increase in the cortisol:DHEA ratio reflects a state of “emergency” versus a state of “repair and relax.” Assessing the balance and ratio of these two hormones provides insight into how the body is handling and responding to stress. This profile may also identify insufficient cortisol production related to a complex response to chronic stress.17 Evaluating several samples over time can help identify changes in hormone patterns that reflect a maladaptive response to stress and may provide guidance for therapeutic intervention.
Who Should Test? Individuals presenting with signs or symptoms of prolonged stress or chronic metabolic dysfunction are candidates for adrenal testing. Test results may suggest that a patient is actively under stress or that a prolonged stress response has progressed into a dysfunctional hormonal pattern. For example persistent stress may lead to a decrease in cortisol in the morning when it is needed most and/or an increase at night when levels should be declining. Adrenal hormone imbalance and potential disorders Neurological conditions such as Chronic fatigue syndrome, mood disorders, depression, anxiety, memory loss 5, 18-22 Metabolic disorders such as menstrual irregularities, obesity, thyroid diseases Cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, heart diseases Gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, diarrhea, reflux Skin disorders such as eczematous dermatitis, psoriasis, decreased skin elasticity Inflammatory and Immune dysfunction such as more prone to infections, autoimmune disease For more information about the Adrenal Stress Profile or any Nutrition Counseling or test questions contact me at www.feedingthebodyfeedingthesoul.com , firstname.lastname@example.org, 904-687-0720 or 970-875-7114 Healthy Regards, Nancy Nancy Cohen RDN LDN Nutritionist