Caffeine & the Adrenal Glands

Our body is a whole system.  If one part of the body is not working right, the whole being has to work harder in order to compensate.  When we ingest stimulants such as caffeine and refined sugar, the response is immediate.  We are given an extra boost which helps us to move faster and think clearer - at the time.  And there is something to be said for thinking more clearly.  People who ingest caffeine are less likely to get Parkinson's disease1.  However, the long term effects of stimulants also cause the body to prematurely reduce potency on a system-wide scale.  By system-wide I mean = ALL OF YOU.

Caffeine specifically has a negative effect on the adrenal glands.  The adrenals are two small endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys and are responsible for a class of steroid hormones called corticosteroids2  as well as catecholamines3 such as adrenaline and noradrenaline.  Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the blood rather than through a duct4.

1 = penial   2 = pituitary   3 = thyroid   4 = thymus   5 = adrenal   6 = pancreas   7 = ovary   8 = testicle

It's really very simple.  Caffeine, and stimulants in general, have a taxing effect on the adrenal glands.  

In an exhausted state, the adrenals have to work harder to produce these hormones.  This also initiates the fight or flight effect on the body even though there is no crisis that would typically cause this response.  If extended to long term fatigue, the adrenal glands become impaired and do not function to the best of their ability5.  Since everything in our body is interconnected, it stands to reason that if one part of the body is being taxed then other parts are having to work harder as well.

What is the solution to the energy crisis going on in our bodies?  How can I give up these things that give me energy when I already feel exhausted and overwhelmed?  


Diet and exercise are the given.  We all know this but how does one go about creating the changes that will create a long-term benefit? 

My own transformation has been very gradual and I am an avid supporter of gently working into things.  In most cases, a gentle and steady dedication is going to outlast a sudden shock to the system.  Start with what you are comfortable with and gradually reach deeper into your own health and well-being.  Do your own research and experiment to see what works for you.  This will also ensure the longevity of your efforts because you cared enough to make that investment in yourself.

The most important thing, however, is to take a step today to create personal change.  Not tomorrow, not next week, not three months from now.  Thats not what I mean by gradual, ok.  Everything you need, want, and feel calling to you is literally within your reach. Your optimal health, vibrancy, and fulfillment are all within your reach.  All you need now is meet yourself halfway.  

~ starlyn sreeya devi

SOURCES:

1.  Caffeine May Protect Against Parkinson's by Kate Wong, Scientific American
2. Corticosteroid, Wikipedia
3. Adrenal gland, Wikipedia
4. Endocrine gland, Wikipedia
5. Caffeine, Adrenal Glands, & Stress by Kara Bauer, healthcentral.com
*all images collected from wikipedia*