Welcome to the new clinic

I have recently moved to my new clinic in Lone Tree. While there is still construction occurring at the adjacent units, my office is now complete. I am pleased with the outcome and feel this is a good central location that will be convenient for my patients for years to come.

Many have asked me why I moved from Parker after 16 years. The answer is I love Parker!! I still live in Parker. I am only able to navigate my way around within a two block area of Parker Rd. and Main St. however, I was able to purchase my current office space and build some equity without the responsibility and expense of owning a whole building. Also, the location is very convenient to I-25 and C-470 which makes it easier for our patients coming from the Airport, Colorado Springs, Arvada and the mountain communities.

Thanks to all of you for your patience during the extended construction phase. I look forward to seeing you all for many years to come at the new location.
> Click here for directions

Dr. J

Adrenal Exhaustion – the Signature of Stress

by Dave Cowan

In Chinese Medicine, the adrenal –kidney complex is looked at as a single energetic unit and is the source of 'chi'. Think of them as the 'battery' of the body. They say that this battery is 50% rechargeable, which means you can exhaust it to a point, and by resting and rejuvenation, your body will naturally recharge. Maybe this is the intelligence behind resting on the 7th day. However, if we push ourselves beyond normal exhaustion, we may get a 'second wind' of energy, but at this point we re dipping into our non-rechargeable half of the battery. It's like spending your capital…sure, its negotiable currency, but you are spending your future energy.

The adrenals are little glands perched atop our kidneys. Without them, our bodies could not adapt to stress. I once knew a school teacher who relied on caffeine to get him through his workday for his entire career. Caffeine and sugar are the two worst dietary adrenal stressors, by the way. By the time he retired, his adrenals were 'toast', and he was on medication on which his life depended. Animal researchers sometimes use dogs whose adrenals have been removed (for what, I can't imagine). They have to be very careful with these dogs, however, because one slam of a door can kill them!

Both under active and exhausted adrenals are prime signatures of chronic stress. A combination of poor adrenal nutrition in the first place along with accumulated, habitual stress responses conspire to exhaust our batteries, sometimes beyond repair.

Under chronic stress, the adrenals can become overactive (hyperadrenia). Symptoms and conditions associated with hyperadrenia include:

Over time, the adrenals may become exhausted, again due to chronic stress and poor nutritional support. Low adrenals are 80% more likely to occur than hyperadrenia, as the latter often turns into the former. Symptoms of hypoadrenia can include:

The adrenals themselves have an inner core, or 'medulla', and an outer layer called the cortex. The medulla is directly affected by Stress and the sympathetic Nervous System ('gas pedal'). The cortex produces hormones that affect almost all bodily systems. Because of this strong stress link, issues like chronic anxiety, fear, anger and hyper vigilance can lead to adrenal exhaustion. The emotional correlates here would be chronic defeatism, feeling overpowered, self neglect, self anger (depression) and lack of self-approval. Knowing this points to the importance of considering adrenal exhaustion and supporting adrenal regeneration when healing with these emotional themes.

A more serious condition, Addison's disease, is associated with chronic under-secretion of adrenal hormones. Excess secretion of the same, often caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary, can lead to Cushing's syndrome. This condition may show as masculinization in young women as well as other metabolic disturbances.

Low adrenals may also induce a form of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar due to deficient hormones to maintain proper levels of blood sugar. There is also a strong link between low adrenals and menopausal symptoms, as the overworked and undernourished glands fail to be able to compensate for the natural reduction in female hormones.

It is very important to support the adrenals nutritionally. Just treating them energetically can put increased demands on a gland already struggling to keep up. Here are some suggestions:
Main dietary stressors: sugar, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco

Vit B5 – pantothenic acid. Depletion of this nutrient is probably the biggest contributor to atrophy (shrinkage) of the gland. During the therapeutic phase, consider 500 mg 3 times a day for 2 or 3 weeks, them return to one a day.

As it is unwise to supplement a single 'B' vitamin which can create imbalances in the other B's; add a good multi – B in the range of 100mg each B. B vitamins are water soluble, and we lose them daily.

The glandular compound will provide direct nutritional support. Also deal with stress awareness and stress management / reduction techniques such as exercise, meditation, and ample leisure and regeneration time. The body will heal itself if we remove the stressors and supply the nutrients.

Dr. Jaakkola's note:

The nutritional recommendations are general guidelines. You will be balanced specifically for nutrition needed by your body at the time of your evaluation.