When it comes to adding lean muscle tissue, most people only focus on the workout and overlook the recovery process. The workout is only part of the equation, because this is when we tear the muscle down. The rebuild process occurs when we release growth hormones (GH), testosterone, insulin growth factor (IGF-1) and DHEA. Unfortunately, stress can interfere with this process and hinder our results.
Our rebuild hormones can be reduced by stress. Excess production of cortisol and adrenaline, our stress hormones, will trigger a decrease production of our rebuild hormones. This is why it is important to know where your stress is coming from. Most people know that stress comes from everyday worry, anxiety, finances, relationships, and family. Unfortunately, there are other types of stress that are easily overlooked.
We are going to explore these other areas of stress. Because a common concern from athletes and patients who are training and not seeing results are fatigue, poor performance, lack of endurance, insomnia, cravings, the inability to burn stored body fat and add lean muscle tissue. Assuming their diet and workout is correct, it leads me to only one conclusion. It’s hormones, because hormones regulate our body. If they’re out of balance, they can interfere with the release of our repair and rebuild hormones.
Types of stress
First, working out is a form of stress, and triggers our adrenals to produce more adrenaline and cortisol.This is normal. However, the sooner we lower our stress hormones the sooner we start the rebuilding process.
Keep in mind, our body is designed to handle stress.But constant stress can overwork our adrenal glands, which can
eventually deplete them. This is known as adrenal fatigue and exhaustion, which is becoming a growing problem.
Additional types of Stress
One type of stress that is easily over-looked is caused by inflammation, due to our diet.Yes, exercise triggers inflammation, which is why we don’t want to add more inflammation as a result of our diet. If you struggle with bloating, indigestion, gas, heartburn and other irritable bowel problems, you are irritating and inflaming your tummy.This additional inflammation triggers your adrenal glands to produce additional cortisol.This is normal, but can overwork your adrenal glands.
FYI…If you struggle with digestive problems, add a digestive enzyme with hydrochloric acid to help break-down the additional protein.
Blood sugar imbalances are another commonly overlooked stress. When your blood sugar drops, either by skipping meals or eating the wrong foods, your adrenal glands will have to produce more adrenaline and cortisol to raise your blood sugar.This is normal, but is additional work for the adrenals!
FYI…Symptoms associated with blood sugar imbalances:
·Cravings
·Lightheadedness
·Midmorning & afternoon slumps
·Irritability if meals or missed
·Inability to focus & concentrate
·Difficulty staying asleep
Stabilizing your blood sugar also keep you in your ‘fat-burning’ zone.
Stress is cumulative and every time we needlessly (inflamed stomach, blood sugar imbalance) trigger more cortisol and adrenaline, we add to our total stress.This overtaxes our adrenals and
causes a decreased production of our growth hormones.
Putting it ALL together…
The key to getting the most out of your workout is to ensure you are producing as much testosterone, GH, IGF-1 and DHEA as possible. If stress is an issue, we need to reduce it and support your adrenal glands. This is why replenishing the adrenal glands with specific vitamins, minerals, and adaptogenic herbs such as; rhodiola, ashwagandha, cordycep, and ginseng is important in helping restore and rebalance your adrenals.
I have developed a nutritional formula called, Adrenal Fuel that replenishes over-worked adrenals, and balances stress hormones.It is a ‘Stress Recovery’ formula that will help you get the most out of your workouts and improve recovery.It’s formulated without stimulants, which are the last things you want if you are struggling with stress and burnout.
FYI… Prolonged, constant stress can also take you to a point where your adrenals can’t produce enough of your stress hormones, which can also cause problems with your training and health.
So, if you’re training hard or have hit a plateau, examine the stress in
your life, take the ‘Stress’ test at www.DrLenlopez.com and start nourishing your body with Adrenal Fuel. Plus don’t let inflammation or blood sugar imbalances hamper your results.
