Meet Your Adrenal Glands
Our adrenal glands are considered to be very important parts of the body. This is mainly because they are the ones responsible for producing the right hormones that facilitate the right processes in our body. However, it seems as if not too many people really understand how these organs function and how they are able to contribute to make our body respond much better to changes in the environment.
What are the Adrenal Glands?
Our adrenal glands are actually found just on top of our kidney. To begin with, there are two important regions that comprise the adrenal glands: adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. Each of these parts function accordingly. Our adrenal glands work closely with the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus so that it can regulate the many different processes happening within the body.
The Adrenal Cortex
The adrenal cortex is mainly responsible for regulating the cholesterol content of the body's system. It is also responsible for secreting certain types of hormones that regulate the body's metabolic rate. It is the one which secretes corticosteroids just about directly into a person's bloodstream. The adrenal cortex also releases aldosterone hormone as well as the androgenic steroids.
The Adrenal Medulla
This is the inner part of the adrenal gland and is mainly responsible for releasing hormones that are important in helping the body cope up with regularly stressful activities like engaging in exercise. By secreting the necessary hormones, the blood vessels around the heart's area dilate accordingly to help keep up with the activity so that the release of blood and oxygen along the veins remain normal.
To be able to do these processes, the adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine. The former is responsible for aiding the heart's output when the person engages in stressful conditions such as exercise. It causes fatty acids to be released and the vessels to dilate. On the other hand, the latter causes the blood vessels to narrow and lead the blood pressure to become lower.
It's also good to note that it is the adrenal medulla which is mainly responsible for allowing the body to have a fight or flight response within its surroundings.
Gerry Geneva is a personal energy coach and expert. He specializes in beating adrenal fatigue through energy management techniques, proper adrenal fatigue diets and adrenal fatigue supplements.
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