Alcohol and Adrenal Fatigue: The Unbridled Truth We often read that a glass of wine is actually good for you. That wine “lifts your mood” and relaxes you. This is often true. However, there are many instances where the opposite is the case, with evidence supporting what so many have said: there is a close correlation between alcohol and adrenal fatigue. If there is a correlation, what is it, and how does alcohol impact the adrenal glands?
Adrenal Gland Function The word adrenal, i.e. ‘ad’ and ‘renal’, means ‘over the kidneys’. In other words, these two, small glands are each situated on top of a kidney. They are responsible, in many respects, for the functioning of the body. The adrenals form part of the endocrine system and secrete a number of hormones essential to life including cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone. They have a modulating effect on just about every gland, organ, and tissue in the body, working to keep you in a state of homeostasis. In many respects, the adrenals play a large role in your thinking and feeling as well. The main function of the adrenal glands, however, is to help your body deal with stress.
Alcohol and Adrenal Fatigue: What Is the Connection? While alcohol consumption may not cause adrenal fatigue, it may very well be a contributing factor and influence your symptoms negatively. Most people with Adrenal Fatigue Treatment are aware that they should limit, and if possible, stop their caffeine intake, as coffee and other caffeine beverages affect the production of cortisol by the adrenals. Other foods, however, also have an effect on cortisol production. Alcohol is one of these.
Alcohol May Increase Cortisol Levels Consuming alcohol and adrenal fatigue have one thing in common – raised cortisol levels. A 2010 study indicated that alcohol and adrenal fatigue are closely linked when it comes to the production of stress hormones because stress, the HPA axis, and cortisol production are negatively influenced by alcoholism, as high alcohol consumption can result in neurotoxicity. But it is not only alcohol abuse that comes into play, as sudden abstinence may also increase your body’s perception of stress. Constantly high levels of cortisol may damage neurons, increasing your vulnerability to other situations which in turn may do the same. This may result in a loss of certain memory functions. These are common symptoms found in older people, but it would seem alcohol consumption may have a similar effect. Furthermore, research indicates that cortisol levels in the brain remain high for a long period after alcohol consumption is stopped, even although levels in the blood may seem normal. Once these cortisol levels go down, however, the body goes into a state of stress once more and exhibits feelings of anxiety, sleep disturbances, and generally feeling unwell. In effect, you have withdrawal symptoms.