Stress Tests: Saliva Testing for Your Adrenal Health

Given our current lifestyles, stress in all its forms has invaded our social and physiological beings.  It's been shown that nearly 75% of the diseases prevalent in western society today are related to the stress mechanisms of the body. 
Your Adrenal Glands
Adrenal glands are small, star shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys.  They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response of the body.  The adrenal glands are divided into three zones, or layers. These different layers have multiple physiologic responsibilities such aid in blood sugar management, stress and anxiety responses, blood pressure regulation, energy management, sex hormone production, and immune responses.
When the adrenal glands are not functioning optimally, you can have a condition known as adrenal fatigue, or adrenal exhaustion.  Adrenal fatigue develops over time and can leave your glands unable to meet your body’s hormone needs.  Some of the symptoms you may experience could be: weight gain, diabetes, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), fatigue, salt cravings, and hormone imbalances (menstrual irregularities). 
Adrenal Stress - The Modern Day Syndrome
Designed for those who feel that cortisol and chronic stress may be reaping havoc with their weight loss and energy level throughout the day.  Cortisol is the stress response hormone that can impact not only our emotional well-being, but also has a direct impact on increasing our tendency to pack on the pounds easily. Imbalanced cortisol levels have also been observed in individuals with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and cancer. 

None of us can eliminate all of the stressors in our lives, but how our bodies manage the stress is what is most important. How many of you go on vacation and lose weight even though you are not watching your food portions strictly?  Relaxing and reducing stress will help to keep cortisol levels balanced.  One sign that cortisol may be an issue for you is if you carry most of your excess weight around your mid-section. This test will show us your specific cortisol levels throughout the day. If they are out of balance, we can then address this by proper supplementation and mind body techniques.

Is Stress Affecting Your 
Health & Happiness?

Do you Experience ANY of the Following?
  • General lack of energy especially in morning or late afternoon
  • Exhaustion, even with simple daily tasks
  • A decrease in your ability to handle stress or emotional resiliency
  • Crave sugar and/or salt
  • Increased abdominal fat that you cannot lose from diet and exercise changes
  • Reduction of symptoms after eating
  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Wake up tired after 6 or more hours on sleep
Adrenal support is essential to maintain healthy weight, manage stress levels, optimize energy, and support blood sugar balance. 

Saliva Tests (adrenal and hormone health)

Adrenal Saliva Index
Your adrenal glands play an important role in regulating energy, hormones, and immune system function.  These glands are especially susceptible to the effects of stress and often “burn-out” or dysfunction.  Chronic stress can result in adrenal exhaustion, leading to low energy, roller-coaster emotions, and less resistance to disease.  Four saliva samples throughout the course of one day will chart your daily stress hormone patterns.  The adrenal stress test provides the information needed to identify and accurately correct adrenal dysfunction.
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The saliva test kits are used to take four readings during a 12-hour waking period to properly evaluate your individual hormone production from the gland.
<< Take this more comprehensive quiz to find out if you should complete an Adrenal Saliva Test >>
Female Hormone Panel
This test provides a reliable assessment of hormone function.  Effective assessment can provide important information for avoiding the negative side effects associated with hormone replacement therapies, as well as offer more natural forms of hormone therapy.

Male Hormone Panel
This test provides a reliable assessment of hormone function. Effective assessment can provide important information for addressing issues related to impaired libido, fat accumulation around waistline, change in sleeping patterns, erectile dysfunction or depression/loss of vitality.