The Mood Cure: Take Charge of Your Emotions in 24 Hours Using Food and Supplements. Julia Ross
of testing day-long Cortisol levels in hundreds of people, our clinic has found fewer than ten reports showing excessively high levels and even fewer showing normal levels. The vast majority of the test results we’ve seen have shown abnormally low Cortisol levels. Far from showing an ability to meet unusual stress with strength, these test results reflect what may be an epidemic inability to meet even a normal day with anything but anxiety, irritability, and exhaustion. They reveal stress-coping resources that have been broken by overload.
Many studies now confirm that low Cortisol is an increasingly common and potentially serious problem. Over 50 percent of those admitted to an intensive care unit in one recent study had below normal, rather than the expected abnormally high, levels of Cortisol.3 A study of 289 men found that low Cortisol was the overriding factor in the development of diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.4 A study of women with breast cancer found that those with low Cortisol had fewer natural immune system killer cells and died earlier.5 No reserves left to fight the really important stressors.
Adrenaline reserves, too, can eventually deflate, as stress-induced exhaustion sets in. More than 70 percent of Americans may be affected.6
WHERE ARE YOU ON THE ADRENAL BURNOUT CONTINUUM?
How do you know if you’ve experienced too much stress? Your score on part 3 of the Mood-Type Questionnaire gave you one indication. For a much more complete picture, look at the following list of the common symptoms of adrenal exhaustion. Think about which of these symptoms in particular apply to you, how often you experience them, and how much they bother you.
