Hi Lisa,
Adrenal issues can contribute to weight gain through a few means. Cortisol release can release stored glycogen from the liver leading to an increase in serum glucose. This leads to a release of insulin, which in turn stimulates the formation of body fat. It can also lead to water retention through aldosterone. And adrenal dysfunction can lead to hypothyroidism. Although weight gain has a variety of other causes.
Because you have known adrenal issues I would focus on the adrenals first. If this does not take care of the weight issue then I can give you other suggestions later depending on what other causes are likely. Although, one thing you can do in the meantime is to add watercress to your regime. This is not only a good source of vitamin C, but it is also rich in other nutrients, will help get rid of excess water, helps the thyroid, and is a thermogenic thereby helping to burn body fat.
Hv
I forgot (can you believe?) in that book I wrote that the weight gain is about 10 lbs. I have a very small frame and eat very healthy.
Also, my body hair has gotten darker and grows back faster. My eyes get sunken underneath and my cheeks get gaunt looking. When I feel well, my face is full and my eyes don't look sunken.
Thank you again!
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I'm sorry, I was thinking I addressed the hair last night. I just went back and saw I did not. The symptoms of the hair, weight gain and menstrual irregularities sound like possible polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I meant to ask if you have been checked for this?
Not sure about the eyes and cheeks, but I would go with adrenals or hormone issues, which both affect water balance in the tissues.
Hv
The best way to build up the adrenals is with natural vitamin C, pantothenic acid, and adaptogenic herbs.
The adrenals get priority of vitamin C over the entire rest of the body. When the adrenals are weakened they have a higher demand for vitamin C, which reduces available vitamin C for other functions such as white blood cell activity leading to immune suppression, and collagen and elastin formation leading to problems including wrinkles, bone loss, and cellulite. Vitamin C sources include watercress, kiwis, papaya, berries, amla, acerola, and rosehips.
For pantothenic acid bee pollen, rice bran, seaweeds, or nutritional yeast. Some of the best adaptogenic herbs include schisandra berry, licorice root, astragalus, Siberian ginseng, jiaogulan, and ashwagandha. Nettle leaf is also excellent for the adrenals.
Try to avoid stress as much as possible. Also stay away from pharmaceutical steroids, adrenal glandulars and all stimulants like caffeine and nicotine. Keep in mind that caffeine can be found in many hidden sources including aspirin, kola nut (bissy nut) and guarana (extremely high).
Taking some ashwagandha before going to bed will also help you to sleep. It helps the mind to relax by stimulating the GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) receptors of the brain. This is similar to anti-anxiety drugs, which work by intensifying the effects of GABA.
The water under your skin does not sound like cellulite. Cellulite is actually caused from fat pushing through the connective tissue under the epidermis. If it feels more like water then it probably is water from the adrenal dysfunction. The adrenals help to regulate water in the body. This should go down as you build up your adrenals if it is from water retention.
If it is fat instead of water then it could be cellulite. A lack of vitamin C contributes to this.