Gut Feeling Holistic Nutrition 

 

The HPA axis is an abbreviated way of describing the extraordinary physiological communication and response that occurs between three organs, the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. They participate in both endocrine (think hormones) and neurological (think neurotransmitters) function. This network of endocrine organs, hormones, and other signaling molecules serves as the body’s stress-response system. The HPA axis evolved to help our bodies respond effectively to acute stressors, however, research suggests that the axis is inadequately equipped to handle the chronic stressors we face today.

 

Chronic activation of the HPA axis through continuous exposure to stressors can lead to HPA axis dysfunction or the failure of the HPA axis to successfully regulate the production of hormones and downstream systems such as the gut and brain. Initially, HPA axis hyperactivation can lead to high levels of cortisol, which is regarded as the body’s primary stress response hormone. However, over time, HPA axis function can slow down or fail, causing low cortisol and depleted levels of a range of other hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Furthermore, chronic illness and long-term exposure to ingestible toxins, and/or infection generate accumulative pro-inflammatory cytokines that create alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and thus affect neurotransmitter synthesis.

 

There are three stages of HPA dysfunction:  

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