Episode 184: Harnessing the HPA-Axis and Your Body’s Stress Response

If you’re a longtime podcast listener, you’ve probably heard us mention the HPA-axis at least 100 times, if not in just about every episode. The hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal feedback loop of your body’s stress response really is THAT important, hence Ali’s work in The Anti-Anxiety Diet. With many of us operating in fight or flight the majority of the time, it is more important than ever to understand how to dial in your HPA-axis and shift your body into rest and digest mode. Tune in to learn about the function of your HPA-axis as well as diet and lifestyle support for harnessing your body’s stress response!

In this episode, Ali and Becki unpack the hypothalamus and pituitary, two glands that may get overlooked with all the talk about the adrenals and cortisol in relation to stress. Go beyond the 101 level of understanding and learn exactly what these glands do, how they are connected and how you can best support optimal balance and harmony. Learn about the importance of limiting blue light, moving your body and curbing your caffeine intake to balance your stress response. Plus get food as medicine and supplement recommendations for supporting your HPA-axis (chocolate avocado maca pudding, anyone?!).

Also in this Episode:

Episode 11: HPA-axis Episode 13: Adrenal Fatigue Episode 129: Are You Running on Adrenaline? Episode 158: Rebounding Your Adrenals •

Adrenal Rehab Program - 50% off through 4/30 with code ADRENALAPRIL

• Why the HPA-axis Matters • The Role of the Hypothalamus

• The Role of the Pituitary • Pituitary Tumors and Abnormalities Relax and Regulate •

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• The Role of the Adrenal Glands

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• Limiting Blue Light Blueblocker Glasses How to Adjust Blue Light on Your Phone Flux App for Managing Blue Light •

• Strategies for Managing Stress During the Pandemic Dr. Deb Kern •

• Supporting Your HPA-axis • Study: Dietary sugars, not lipids, drive hypothalamic inflammation • Food As Medicine Support Bone Broth • Fat

• Chocolate

• Tyrosine Rich Foods Thyroid Optimizer •

• Probiotics Targeted Strength Probiotic Rebuild Spectrum Probiotic •

• Vitamin C Bio-C Plus Adrenal Rehab Shake •

• Maca Spicy Maca Cacao Avocado Mousse All Maca Recipes •

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• Curbing Your Caffeine Intake CBD Lavender Latte Wild Foods Matcha •

• The Role of Sleep • Study: Chronic sleep deprivation-induced proteome changes in astrocytes of the rat hypothalamus Episode 81: Natural Solutions for Insomnia •

• Using Exercise to Support HPA-axis Balance • Study: Exercise protects against high-fat diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation •

• Supplemental Support Stress Manager Bundle •

Sponsors For This Episode:

This episode is sponsored by the Naturally Nourished supplement line: these pure, potent and effective formulas have been hand selected to deliver profound health benefits. We price our formulas 2-5% below market industry standard and competitors and guarantee that our products will always be third party assessed to ensure they are free of mold, toxins, contaminants, and contain the stated active ingredients in dosages noted.

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This episode is also sponsored by Further Food, a female owned and operated company that provides the highest quality food as medicine products including their Collagen Peptides, Pasture-Raised Gelatin Daily Turmeric Tonic and Mindful Matcha. Use code ALIMILLERRD at checkout for 10% off!