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Adrenal fatigue | Cacao health | Ceremonial cacao | Coffee to cacao
The world is moving so fast nowadays, faster than what feels natural. Many of us have become totally reliant on caffeine, supplements, and whatever else it takes to measure up and keep our engines running. But at what cost? Riding a roller coaster of highs and lows, we are left with a nervous system on constant overdrive - the perfect setup for adrenal fatigue.
And, of course, the caffeine kick and quick energy boost we get from our go-to coffee drink is no true solution. It only temporarily hides the symptoms of an exhausted system in desperate need of some tender loving care, not more caffeine.
If you are experiencing adrenal fatigue, perhaps you should reconsider your relationship with coffee and seek a better alternative as a partner and ally in this frenzied world. By far, the best choice you can make is Ceremonial Cacao. A closer look at what adrenal fatigue is and the active ingredients in coffee vs. the active ingredients in Ceremonial Cacao will show you why.
Just above our kidneys lie two tiny glands called the adrenals. Intricately related to hormone production and nervous system function, these small glands play a huge role in energy management. The adrenals release hormones associated with the "fight-or-flight" or stress response in our body, mobilizing our central nervous system to take action for survival.
Naturally, the adrenals cannot distinguish between perceived stress and actual life-threatening events and respond to both in the same way. So, when our life is burdened with unresolved mental, emotional, and physical troubles, the adrenal glands are on overdrive. Trying to keep up with the demands of never-ending stress (perpetual fight-or-flight arousal) in the nervous system, they become fatigued.
Often misunderstood, adrenal fatigue varies significantly from person to person. It most commonly manifests as burnout, food cravings, anxiety, or persistent feelings of exhaustion that seem impossible to resolve. If you're regularly overwhelmed with little time to rest and restore, take note - perhaps it's time to make some changes.
If you are a coffee-lover, you will probably not like what you are about to hear. Caffeine may not be the cause of adrenal fatigue, but it is clear that its consumption has a negative impact on the adrenal glands. Conversely, reducing caffeine intake can aid in their healing.
The reason for this is that caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. This means that your tasty cup of java initiates the same "fight or flight" response in the body as stress, asking your adrenal glands to work harder. As you can imagine, this taxes those tiny glands and further distances you from your body's natural energy cycles, inhibiting the healing process.
Moreover, although the caffeine in coffee can leave you buzzing and inspired for a while, it's not uncommon to feel even more exhausted when the "high" wears off. This is because caffeine elicits activity in the brain, sending messages to your pituitary gland, which alerts the adrenals to produce adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones). Ultimately, this manifests as an adrenaline rush followed by a crash.
If you are reluctant to give up your coffee for fear of losing that feeling of a warm hug on a cold day and of perking up for work or play, don't fret. Keith's Cacao is a much better alternative, and it's both delicious and insanely good for you! Introducing Cacao into your life will also make it easier to cope with caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
Ceremonial Grade Cacao awakens the body more gently and has a much more lasting impact than coffee. A powerful superfood, it boosts both energy and mental clarity without the crash that comes from caffeinated drinks. Although it does contain a small amount of caffeine, the main active ingredient is theobromine - a gentle, long-lasting cardiovascular stimulant found almost exclusively in Cacao. Theobromine can both boost our energy and promote relaxation at the same time, as it dilates our blood vessels and helps to relax smooth muscle tissue.
Cacao is also one of the highest sources of magnesium on the planet. Magnesium plays a role in over 300 essential reactions in the body, including calcium absorption, glucose metabolization, and assimilation of Vitamin D. More importantly, for those experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue, magnesium is also an essential ingredient in the production of ATP in the body.
Thank you to Keith's Cacao Practitioner and Nutritional Coach Cheryl Mirabella, MA, NHC, for all of the insights and information on Adrenal Fatigue as it relates to Coffee and Cacao. You can learn more about and connect with Cheryl here:
Cheryl@livingwholehealth.com | www.livingwholehealth.com | www.bellaheartcacao.com
