The adrenal glands release cortisol as a response to stress--in effect prolonging the body's "fight or flight "response. Cortisol is released by the body in a natural rhythm with the sleep-wake cycle. Levels increase and peak in the early morning hours as part of body's physiological response to awakening.

Oversecretion or a disrupted secretion pattern of cortisol can drastically interfere with sleep patterns. That's because rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occurs primarily when cortisol levels are decreasing, with diminished or absent adrenal secretion. Wakefulness and Stage 1 sleep--or slow wave sleep (SWS)--is associated with increased plasma cortisol concentrations. In controlled experiments, cortisol infusion moderately increases the percentage of SWS and significantly decreases REM sleep.1,2 Thus cortisol imbalances can result not only in insomnia, but in the tendency to wake often during the night, and to feel "unrefreshed" even after getting a full night's sleep.

Another hormone produced by the adrenals, DHEA, serves to balance some of the effects of cortisol. For example, studies show that DHEA can significantly increase REM (rapid eye movement) time during sleep.3

That's why the Adrenocortex Stress Profile measures levels of both cortisol and DHEA, to gauge their separate and combined effect on sleep disorders and other health conditions.

Call to set up a nutritional consultation so that tests can be performed and a comprehensive strategy of lifestyle, dietary modification and nutrient supplementation can be implemented to aid you in reversing this disorder.

For an appointment, contact our office at: 800-956-7083 or 818 707-3126.

Dr. Rispoli, Ph.D., L.Ac. has had a clinical practice for over 20 years. Her programs work because she is so thorough in testing and providing a nutritional approach. Remember that the body can heal itself if given the proper nutrients.

All lab tests can be done through the mail in the privacy of your own home, except blood tests, we send you to a lab to have your blood drawn for these. After you pay for the test we mail you the kit, the results take two weeks, the test results will be mailed to us and we will call you to go over the results, its that easy! All tests include the consultation for the report of findings.

References
1 Born J, et al. Night-time plasma cortisol secretion is associated with specific sleep stages. Bio Psychiat 1986;21:1415-1424.
2 Born J, et al. Gluco- and antimineralocorticoid effects on human sleep: a role of central corticosteroid receptors. Amer J Physiol 1991;260(2 Pt 1):E183-E188.
3 Freiss E, Trachsel L, Guldner J, Schier T, Steiger A, Holbsboer F. DHEA administration increases rapid eye movement sleep and EEG power in the sigma frequency range. Am J Physiol 1995;268(31):E107-E113.

The information herein is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or a cure. Should you have a medical condition please seek the advice of your medical doctor.