0802 ARK patient guide -...

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A truly satisfying life is a life lived in balance.Your choices—the food you eat,

how you think, your relationships and howoften you exercise—all play an important role in

attaining optimum health.

By choosing to follow the ARK program, you have already taken the first steps toward a life in balance. While the

ARK program will play only a small part inyour overall success, we believe the

valuable information and supplements providedby your doctor will help you discover a

more healthy life … A renewed and revitalized life in balance.

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Contents

Introduction 4The Adrenal Recovery Kit 5What Causes Stress? 6Life Event Stress Inventory 7Your Personal Stress Inventory and Responses 9

Your Health 10Your Sleep 11Your Exercise 12Your Diet 14Your Work 16Your Relationships 18Your Rest & Relaxation 20Your Finances 21

Testing Your Stress Level by Measuring Cortisol 22The ARK: Products and Usage 24

Glycemic Foundation 26Tempo Bar 27Tranquil Moment 27AdreneVive 28Adren-All 28Adapten-all 29Phosphatidylserine 29DHEA 30Pregnenolone 30Licorice Root Extract 31Natural ZZZs 31

Appendix: The Science Behind the Stress Response 32Adrenal Recovery Supplement Schedule 35

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Introduction

Life is stressful. We are all affected by stress, yet it is how we perceiveand respond to the stressors in our lives that can have a big impacton our health. The consequences of stress are different for eachindividual.

Are you easily overwhelmed by everyday tasks that once were a breeze?

Do you get angry over things that never used to bother you?

Have you gained weight around your middle?

Is your sleep not as regular or as restful as it once was?

Is it difficult for you to concentrate on important tasks?

Do you crave foods that you know are unhealthy for you?

Are you catching more colds than before?

Is your libido what it once was?

Are you easily irritated by family members and co-workers?

Do you feel like you have no energy by the middle of the afternoon?

Are you using coffee or chocolate to make it through the day?

Are you drinking more alcohol to relieve stress?

Do aches and pains linger longer than they once did?

If you identify with several of these statements, your body’s systemfor adapting to stress is not responding optimally. If you identify withmore than three or four of these statements, your body is sendingsignals that life’s stresses are overwhelming its ability to keep up. Yourdoctor has recommended the Adrenal Recovery Kit because itcontains some of the basic tools needed to help your body begin theprocess of responding to stress appropriately. These tools can helpyou regain the reigns of your life to be able to once again enjoy arestored, renewed and revitalized life in balance!

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The Adrenal Recovery Kit

Welcome to the Patient Guidebook for the Adrenal Recovery Kit(ARK). This booklet and the products associated with the ARKProgram are not “magic bullet” solutions. They are tools to helpsupport your body as you learn the impact of specific stressors, aswell as recommendations for lifestyle decisions that can reduce thenegative impact of those stressors.

Each person is different; each situation is unique and complex. TheARK program is designed to be flexible and adjusted for your specif-ic needs and the recommendations of your health care provider. Thebasic tools in this program are designed to help create an environ-ment of adrenal recovery and stress management, allowing you tofind the perfect balance that restores vitality and optimal health.

This booklet will also help you understand stress from a clinicalperspective, and help you learn how your body responds, or fails torespond. With the “Life Event Stress Inventory,” you will discoverstressors that most affect you. Once you have identified the stressors inyour life and addressed your perception of those influences, you andyour doctor can define your level of adrenal fatigue and use this guideto begin taking steps to restore your health and energy. Managing yourstress and your perception of stressors will help you move towardachieving the balanced and fulfilling life you seek.

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Take the Test

Use the Life Event Stress Inventory (Figure 1) to calculate yourcurrent stress level. You will be surprised how quickly our lives fill withstress-contributing events. Add up allthe points you have to find your score.

A score of 150 points or less suggestsa low amount of life change and a lowsusceptibility to stress-induced healthbreakdown.

Scores between 150 to 300 pointsimply about a 50 percent chance of amajor health breakdown in the nexttwo years.

A score of 300 points or more raisesthe odds to about 80 percent.

What Causes Stress?

You likely could give a good description of circumstances or personsthat leave you at the end of your rope. Perhaps you have been feelingburned out and exhausted for years. Maybe you can’t understandwhy it is hard to scrape up enough energy for the simple tasks of life.Whether you are in a demanding job with constant pressure, achallenging graduate program in a competitive academic environ-ment, or living frugally as a retiree trying to make ends meet, yourstressful circumstances may be overwhelming your ability to cope,straining your stress response mechanisms to the limit.

Researchers have learned that most things that are different from thenormal expectations of life trigger a stress response. Whether theseevents are real (actual emergency or trauma) or perceived (anxietyabout a potential event), the stress response is surprisingly similar.

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Figure 1

(Adapted from Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe. "Homes-RaheSocial Readjustment Rating Scale," Journal of Psychosomatic Research. Vol II,1967.)

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When you constantly trigger yourstress response mechanisms withevents that are not resolved, yourresponse mechanisms begin tobecome disjointed, improperlyregulated and exhausted.Sometimes they fail altogether.

Most people think of stress as mentaland emotional stress, however,imbalance in blood sugar and chronic inflam-mation anywhere in the body are alsocommon chronic stressors. Ironically, eachof these events is a potent stimulator ofcortisol , the adrenal hormone produced tohelp us recover from stress (see Appendix to learn more).

Scientists who study stress say that the events that cause the mostmental and emotional stress usually have four similarities. First, weare stressed by things that are new to us. First-time experiences cause usto anticipate how we will feel during the event (pleasure or pain),triggering a stress response. Combine this with unpredictability, thesecond feature of mental and emotional stress, and you heighten thestress response. First-time driving lessons on a busy metropolitanfreeway is a good example—for both driver and instructor!

The third component is a sense of threat to your physical well-beingor psyche. While it is not always thought of as stress, the nervous antici-pation of someone else’s opinion of you is a threat to your psyche,and therefore a source of stress.

Stressful events typically cause you to feel as though you haveexperienced loss of control over your situation. Families with teenagersare often in this situation as teens become more independent andparents have to start to let go.

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Top 3 Chronic Stressors• Mental and Emotional Stress• Blood Sugar Imbalance• Chronic Inflammation

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A perfect, yet subtle, example is the person in middle management.They feel the responsibility of performing new tasks (novelty) thattypically have unpredictable outcomes and threaten their jobapproval while feeling like they don’t have control over the outcome.

Not surprisingly, middle managers are often considered to havethe highest stress in most corpora-tions, leading to high turn-over,burnout and poor job satisfaction.

As your read through the nextsection of stressor categories, askyourself how each adds to youroverall stress load. Think about whatcomponents (novelty, unpredictabili-ty, threat, loss of control) make partic-ular events or relationships the moststressful.

It is important to remember thatyour perception of an event is really whatcreates most of the stress — often more thanthe event itself. After all, what builds stress inyou might be another person’s adventure:think skydiving, cocktail party, publicspeaking!

Your Personal Stress Inventory and Responses

The next session discusses common, everyday stressors we all face.You should read each one and consider them separately. With theunderstanding that some things are out of your control, what eventsor relationships you can control are contributing to your stress?

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Four Stress Components• Novelty• Unpredictability• Sense of Threat• Loss of Control

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Your Health

All stress triggers can lead to adrenal exhaus-tion, especially acute or chronic illnesses.Chronic inflammatory conditions such asinflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s, IBS),arthritis (rheumatoid or osteoarthritis), diabetesand many others will put constant demands oncortisol production and eventually exhaust thestress response system (refer to Figure 4 inAppendix A). Foods you eat (or don’t eat) cancontribute to an inflammatory environment inyour body.

Worrying about your health or conditionsyou might have will also create anxiety. It isimportant to find a clinician who can help you diagnose and treat theroot cause of your health issues. The more you know about yourhealth concerns, the more you will reduce the unpredictability ofyour symptoms and the associated stress.

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Are you worried that yourhealth will deteriorate?Do you catch colds easierthan you once did?Do you get light-headed ordizzy when standingquickly?Do symptoms of PMS orMenopause overwhelmyou?Are recurrent infectionsmore frequent (yeast,herpes, sinus etc.)?Do you have frequentdiarrhea or constipation?Do your joints ache morefrequently?

Take Control of your Health

See a doctor for help finding the root cause of your illness or pain.

Consider using natural supplements to control pain and inflammation ratherthan -OTC or prescription anti-inflammatory drugs (Ask your doctor aboutInflamma-bLOX)

Recognize it will take time to get back to normal again—don’t get anxious; don’tlose hope.

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Your Sleep

Sleep is your body’s way of resetting itself metabol-ically and psychologically. You are designed to functionoptimally on a 24-hour circadian rhythm. Sleep is whathelps your body readjust to the stresses placed upon itduring the day. If you are not getting the appropriateamount of sleep or keep adjusting your sleeping pattern(day shift to night shift etc.) your natural stress responsewill not be able to function properly.

While using the ARK program, get 7–8 hours of sleepeach night, sleeping as much as possible beforemidnight. If you have trouble relaxing enough to sleep,begin removing stimuli (TV, lights etc.) and addingrelaxation (dim lighting, music, warm tea, hot bath) during the 30–45minutes before bed. Reading a relaxing novel, devotional, or book ofinspirational stories may help. You may find it helpful to write downthe next day’s tasks so you can relax your mind knowing all your“worries” will not be forgotten in the morning. Using herbal sleepaids like Natural ZZZs may also be helpful if you find it difficult tofall asleep.

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Are you stillexhausted in themorning?Is it difficult foryou to fall asleep,even when you feeltired?Are you constantlythinking abouttomorrow’s worrieswhile trying tosleep?Do you go to bedat different timeseach night?

Take Control of your Sleep

Address any medical reasons that wake you up at night

Write down tomorrow’s tasks so you can sleep worry-free (keep a notebook byyour bed if necessary)

Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule

Get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night

Reduce noise and distractions during the hour before bedtime

Consider using a natural herbal sleep aid like Natural ZZZs

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Your Exercise

Physical activity is important for proper health andstress management. In the right balance, exercise helpsmaintain insulin sensitivity, blood glucose, musclemass and also produces body chemicals that canpromote relaxation. Light exercise and stretching isideal for producing the health benefits that result instress reduction. Strenuous training, however, can addstress to our bodies. Ask your doctor for the amount ofexercise you should incorporate into your daily and weekly routine tooptimize your stress recovery.

There are many ways to experiencethe health benefits of regularexercise. It is recommended thatmost people engage in at least 150minutes of moderate-intensityexercise each week, with 30 minutesof activity five days a week.

Moderate-intensity exercise meansmaintaining a target heart rate of55–65 percent of your maximumheart rate. Using a heart ratemonitor while exercising can bevery helpful. Use the chart in Figure2 to calculate what it should be.

While it is considered best to exercise in the morning when yourmetabolism is ready for greater activity, you'll want to structure yourdaily exercise to fit your daily routine. Some people may find thatexercising in the late evening may interfere with their sleep. Yourdoctor can help you work out a plan that best fits your schedule andpersonal fitness goals. The real key is to get started then commit tosticking with it.

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Are you too tired ortoo busy toexercise?Does exercise oftentake more than itgives you?Have you given upon an exerciseprogram youstarted?

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Take Control of your Physical Activity

Start slow, but start.

Build activity or exercise into your routine.

Don’t overdue it; you should feel rejuvenated, not exhausted.

Incorporate stretching.

Make it fun (add music or a friend).

Calculating Your Target Heart Rate

Step 1: Determine your maximum heart rate. Subtract yourage from 220

220 - ______ (Your age) = ________ Max. Heart Rate

Step 2: Find your target heart rate for moderate intensityexercise. Multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.55 and 0.65and round.

_______ Max HR x 0.55 = ________ Target HR

_______ Max HR x 0.65 = ________ Target HR

This will give you the range for your heart rate duringmoderate intensity exercise.

Step 3: Monitor your heart rate during exercise. While exercis-ing, place your fingers on your pulse at either your neck orwrist. count the number of heart beats for 6 seconds and thenmultiply by 10. This is your heart rate. Compare your rate toyour target heart rate and adjust your intensity accordingly.

Figure 2

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Your Diet

Food is not just nutrients. It also contains information tohelp regulate systems in the body. How much, how oftenand what types of food you eat will determine how yourbody will respond. Constant fluctuations in blood glucosecreate one of the body’s most stressful conditions. Lowblood sugar triggers the adrenal glands to produce cortisol,which stimulates cells to begin producing more glucose.

When you eat foods high in carbohydrates (sweets,unrefined sugars, high glycemic index/load foods), youtrigger high amounts of insulin production from yourpancreas. The overproduction of insulin helps driveglucose levels down quickly and results in a lower thanoptimal blood sugar level for a short period of time. Thisoften occurs a short time after lunch, making you feel sleepy. Youradrenal cortisol will normalize your blood glucose level in 30 to 45minutes. However, some people may self-medicate with chocolate orcoffee, triggering another round of high insulin. When this cycle ofglycemic stress is repeated over and over again, it places a constantburden on the adrenal stress response. Keeping a food diary for 7 days maybe helpful to objectively assess your food intake to determine the burden you maybe placing on your body.

Controlling glycemic response by choosing foods that promote glycemicstability is a critical lifestyle change to relieve chronic stress. Foods with a lowglycemic index that also contain high soluble fiber will help ease insulinspikes that drive blood glucose below normal.

• Breakfast is especially important. Eating abreakfast with proper glycemic balance,which includes good sources of both proteinand fat, starts the day off right.

• Eating more fruits and vegetables will helpreduce inflammation, a common burden tothe stress response system.

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Do you skipbreakfast becauseyou’re nothungry?Do you cravecaffeine orsweets in themid-afternoon?Do you find itdifficult to loseweight?Do you cravesalty snacks?Do you feel guiltyafter eatingcertain foods?Do you often skipmeals or changemeal times?

Omega-3 Sources• Fish• Fish oil supplement (like

Orth!mega)• Flaxseeds• Green, leafy vegetables• Nut oils such as almond

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• Consuming higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and reducingomega-6 fatty acids (most oils except canola and olive) will alsopromote appropriate stress responses.

The ARK Program is designed to help you achieve glycemic stability,and includes Glycemic Foundation, a delicious chocolate powdered drinkmix with the nutrients necessary to help establish glycemic control.Because of the overarching need for glycemic control, your doctor mayask you to begin your day with Glycemic Foundation even before youbegin a therapeutic regimen based on the results of your tests. See page26 for more information about Glycemic Foundation.

Please note that radical changes in your diet while using the AdrenalRecovery Kit are not recommended. Major alterations in diet can addunnecessary stress. Diets that are excessively low in carbohydrates(ketogenic) will also create some distress and should be considered onlywith the advice of your health care provider after adrenal recovery.Excesses of any type of foods (fats, carbohydrates, alcohol, caffeine)should be avoided throughout. As always, a good multivitamin likeAlpha Base is recommended as a solid supplement to any diet.

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Take Control of your Diet

Plan to eat breakfast every morning

Eat protein with each meal (especially breakfast)

Avoid trans-fats and omega-6 fatty acids

Increase omega-3 fatty acids (fish, fish oil, green leafy vegetables, flaxseeds)

Reduce intake of high glycemic index carbohydrates and sugars. A good online resource can be found athttp://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Foo-Hea/Glycemic-Index.html

Increase dietary fiber

Schedule “comfort foods” so you won’t splurge or feel guilty

Limit caffeine, alcohol, fried foods and sweets

Take an efficacious multivitamin, like one of the Alpha Base products.

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Your Work

When most people think of stress they defineit as “too much to do and not enough time todo it.” Perhaps you feel this way about yourcurrent job, or "you" are a mother with activechildren and this describes your average day. Ifyou remember the middle-managers mentionedearlier, stress is highest when we are givenresponsibility (and accountability) withoutfeeling like we have the tools (authority,finances, time, skills etc.) to accomplish thetask. Does this sound like your job?

Often a supervisor pushes off their worst tasks, ultimately ending upon your desk. Stress doesn’t just “trickle down,” however. Manysenior managers are also under a tremendous amount of stress; fromstock holders, from their peers and even from those they employ.

Ask yourself if theamount of stress at yourworkplace is overwhelm-ing you and how muchof it could be relieved bytaking positive action.Think about the fourtraits of commonstressors. How can youeliminate the stress ofnovelty, unpredictabili-ty, threatening eventsand loss of control? Speakwith your co-workers orsupervisor about the

need for adequate warning when changes are coming or for addition-al training when new skills are required. Ask for more specifics about

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Is your productivitysuffering at work?Are you unable to “getaway” from e-mail, phone,PDA?Are you working longerhours or shift work?Do you need to apologizeto co- workers for yourproductivity or temper?Do you feel trapped inyour current job?

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what is expected of you so you can feel more control over your jobperformance.

If all else fails, consider other employment options. With fewexceptions, no job is worth losing your health. Look for work thatprovides the right amount of challenge and the level of responsibilityyou believe you can handle. If you think this is financially impossi-ble, you may need to create a plan to make the transition slowly.

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Take Control at Work

Schedule as much vacation as you are allotted—ask for more.

Don’t skip meals and breaks to get more done.

Resolve issues with supervisors and coworkers as soon as possible.

Recognize the things that are truly under your control and don’t fret about the rest.

Reorganize your work surrounding for better efficiency.

Use an organizer to plan your day—your mind stresses when it thinks you willforget something. Write it down!

Get new skills or training if needed to perform up to expectations.

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Your Relationships

Some of the greatest pleasures in life andsome of the worst experiences involve relation-ships. Few things can lift your spirits like beingwith someone you love. Few things are moredamaging to your spirit than relationships thatbring constant tension and strife. Below aresome simple things you might want to consid-er to help reduce the stress, or increase theblessing, of relationships.

Make a list/Make a call

Write down a list of the people that youenjoy being with. When was the last time youtalked with them? Even if it has been a longtime, make a call or schedule a visit. You canfind joy in a rekindled friendship.

Thank Someone

Being thankful and expressing your appreci-ation to others is therapeutic. Failing to express genuine thanks tothose around you creates a mental “debt of gratitude” that weighs onyour mind until it is paid. Sometimes it is more difficult to showappreciation to those we see everyday; our coworkers, our spouses,our children, our parents. Try focusing on having a spirit of grateful-ness during the first month of using the ARK Program and you willbe surprised how rejuvenating it can be.

Resolve your disputes

Relationships will eventually produce conflict—some minor—somemajor. Conflict in a relationship can be extremely stressful. Oftenthe issue seems to get worse the longer it is left unresolved, turninga minor misunderstanding into a major dispute. If the thought, “so-and-so is going to be at the party,” causes you stress, considerseeking reconciliation.

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Do you find yourself frequentlysnapping at thosearound you?Do you havesomeone you canconfide in?Have you lost yourlibido or are you tootired?Do you spend timewith people who drainyour energy?Do you feel like youcan’t say “no” toothers?Are there people youtry to avoid?Does the thought ofsomeone bring upbitterness and anger?

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Make a list of individuals with whom you need to resolve disputesand then order the list from easiest to most difficult to resolve. Tryresolving the easiest one first. Once you get the first one out of theway, move to the next one on the list. Not everyone will want toresolve the conflict, but even in those situations you will have muchless stress knowing that you attempted to find a restoration.

Forgiveness

This is related to resolution butdeserves its own heading. Often,there are persons who genuinelyhurt us; physically, mentally,emotionally. Regardless of theoffense, the unwillingness toforgive them causes bitterness,resentment and anger that can

lead to further stress, which can affect your health. If the list youmade above includes someone you are unwilling to forgive, you maywant to consider seeking out a spiritual leader or counselor to helpyou work through the issues involved. Conversely, if you havewronged someone and have not sought forgiveness, consider going tothat person and asking for forgiveness and reconciliation. The releaseof guilt and the sense of restoration will do wonders for your soul.

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Take Responsibility for your Relationships

Make a llst and make a call.

Cultivate an attitude of thankfulness.

Resolve Your disputes.

Practice forgiveness.

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Your Rest and Relaxation

If life’s enjoyments seem like a thing of thepast; if you find yourself wishing you couldgo back to the day when (fill in the blank)wasn’t giving you stress, you need someR & R. Find a place where you can feelrelaxed enough to allow yourself to rejuve-nate. It should be free of the four stresscomponents. Remember? (Novelty,unpredictability, threatening, uncontrol-lable) It should be familiar, relaxing andguilt-free. You need short times like this ona daily basis, but occasionally you need an extended, relaxing break.

Consider choosing relaxation over adventure for your next vacation.Schedule a 15-minute break every afternoon when you can brew acup of tea (See our Tranquil Moment Tea on page 27), turn off yourcomputer monitor and cell phone, turn on some music that soothesyou and just…relax. Schedule a massage once a month and budgetthis as a health expense. Write down a list of things that give youguilt-free pleasure and begin finding ways to add them back into yourschedule. Taking these steps will help you be more focused, produc-tive and in balance.

Take Control of your R & R

Find enjoyable things (people, movies, etc.) that make you laugh.

Create a place you can go (at work and at home) to relax without much preparation.

Find some music that relaxes you and keep it handy.

Schedule relaxing time into all your vacations so you feel rested when you return to work.

Schedule a massage once a month.

Do you feel guilty takingvacations?Do you have a place to go thatprovides guilt-free pleasure andrelaxation?Do worries and work follow youinto your vacation and recreationtimes?Are you too tired to do anythingin your free time except vegetate?Does the dread of Mondaymorning/ end of vacation interferewith your time-off?Can you easily create anatmosphere that relaxes you?

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Your Finances

Financial instability creates tremendous anxietyand stress. It can create major friction in a marriageand bring constant worry. While this booklet isn’tthe place to give financial advice, finding acompetent advisor to help you eliminate your debtand create a plan for financial stability will result inmore peace than you can imagine.

Debt is not always about the lack of money, but thelack of proper priorities. The things we think willbring us pleasure often become a noose when weobtain them before we can afford them. The stress of calls fromcreditors; the embarrassment of a bounced check; the anticipation ofthe delivery of a credit card bill—all of these constantly hammer onyour already-tired adrenals.

If you found yourself cringing as you read the last paragraph, it isprobably time to rethink your financial situation. Seek out a crediblefinancial consultant (there are many free services available) to helpyou evaluate your financial situation and help design a program togive you financial control once again.

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Do you worryabout money/billsregularly?Do you feelguilty spendingmoney fornon-necessities?Do you limit yourrecreation/vacationdue to lack ofmoney?Are creditorshounding you?

Take Control of your Finances

Create a plan (with an advisor if needed) to stabilize your financial situation.

Create a Will or Estate Plan if you haven’t already.

Recognize that it might take time to clear your debt, but with a good plan in place,you can stop worrying about bills or creditor calls.

Downsize or simplify.

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Testing your stress level by measuring cortisol

Because cortisol levels are a good measure of the health of the stressresponse in most individuals, measuring cortisol levels is a commontool to assess what level and type of stress you are experiencing. Whencortisol levels are very low, it is a sign of adrenal exhaustion or burnout.When cortisol levels are very high it may mean there is anuncontrolled acute stressor present (chronic inflammation) or thatthe feedback loops that should be lowering cortisol are not function-ing properly (see Appendix for details).

Cortisol can be measured from blood, urine or saliva samples. Yourdoctor may use any or a combination of tests to help determine thelevel of adrenal stress you are experiencing.

Salivary testing is common. Samples are collected four timesthroughout a “normal” day; once upon rising, once in mid to latemorning, once in the afternoon and once before bedtime. The labwill evaluate total levels of cortisol and compare it to the properdiurnal rhythm (see sample chart, Figure 3). Most laboratories willalso measure additional hormones such as DHEA, melatonin (in thebedtime sample) and sometimes even testosterone and estrogens. The

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Figure 3

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levels of these additional hormones can help identify certain relatedconditions to help your doctor define a better treatment approach.

Three general categories of adrenal stress are typically defined as:

1. Acute Adrenal Dysfunction: Sometimes called “The AlarmReaction,” patients with acute adrenal stress will feel and act “wired.”Current demanding stressful situations are causing high amounts ofcortisol production, but there is inadequate feedback reduction. Patientswith acute adrenal stress may also lack an adequate diurnal rhythm.Acute adrenal dysfunction will eventually suppress importantimmune functions, and will oftenresult in increased risk of sickness.

2. Adrenal Fatigue: Thiscondition can be the result ofadjustments to an ongoing acuteadrenal dysfunction condition orthe accumulation of years of mildstress without adequate relaxationand recuperation. These individu-als may have cortisol levels withinthe normal range, but either lackproper circadian rhythm or have reduced levels of DHEA.

3. Adrenal Exhaustion: This is often called “burnout.” Patients withthis condition typically have low or very low cortisol levels(Addison’s disease is the complete loss of cortisol production).These individuals are easily overwhelmed by any stress and find thateven simple tasks become burdensome.

Through a process of physical examination, health history, lifestyleassessment and functional testing, your health care professional candetermine what level of stress or fatigue you are currently experienc-ing, and develop recommendations to help you experience renewaland a healthy, balanced, more fulfilling life.

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The Adrenal Recovery Kit: Products and Usage

This convenient, effective lifestyle program combines simplelifestyle coaching with targeted products to help restore your adrena-ls and return to a less stressful and more productive work andpersonal life.

The ARK program is designed to help you and your doctor developa protocol for adrenal recovery.† It can be customized to suit yourparticular condition, but starts with these components:

The ARK Patient Guide: This informative guideprovides a brief overview of adrenal stress andoutlines the lifestyle factors that will help youregain control of your health. The lifestyle sugges-tions are designed to compliment your doctor’splan and product recommendations and are thekey to achieving optimal health. Your adrenalscannot recover without lifestyle change.

Glycemic Foundation: Maintaining healthyblood sugar levels is critical for adrenal health.Because cortisol is a glucose-regulating molecule, itslevels are greatly influenced by blood glucose levels.For most people, glycemic control is the first stepto achieving adrenal health. Glycemic Foundation

is a delicious chocolate-flavored drink mix that includes key nutrientsand healthy protein to help you maintain balanced blood sugar levelsthroughout your day.† For more information, see page 26.

Tranquil Moment: This therapeutic and relaxing tea is formulated tohelp you enjoy your moments of peace—an important component ofadrenal recovery!

Tempo Bar: A quick, delicious way to help maintain balancedinsulin and glucose levels for a consistent "glycemic tempo" through-out the day.

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Based on your unique adrenal needs, your doctor may also includethese products:

For those with Adrenal Fatigue or Adrenal Exhaustion, your kit willinclude either Adren-All or Adapten-All. These formulas helpimprove your stress response by supporting adrenal function with keyingredients. Your doctor may recommend different doses dependingon the severity of your condition.†

For those with Acute Adrenal Dysfunction, your kit will includeAdreneVive, a formula designed to help you lower excess cortisol,increase your HPA axis feedback loop and reduce the sideeffects ofacute cortisol and adrenal stress.†

Other products your doctor may add to your ARK program:

Phosphatidylserine (PS): To help reduce elevated cortisol you maybe given more PS in capsules to help augment the amount found inAdreneVive.† These can be taken with your other capsules.Phosphatidylserine helps restore proper feedback loops to reducecortisol production under acute adrenal stress.†

DHEA: May be recommended if your DHEA levels are low.

Pregnenolone: May be recommended when you need higher levelsof adrenal hormones. Pregnenolone is the precursor to both DHEAand cortisol.†

Licorice Root Extract: This powerful liquid adrenal tonic may berecommended for individuals with low cortisol levels. Licorice blocksthe breakdown of cortisol.

Natural ZZZs: This product is a mixture of herbs and botanicalextracts that can help induce sleep without the fear of becomingaddicted to a sleep medication.†

Designed as a multifaceted approach to help you back on the roadto recovery, The ARK program is intended to be followed for at least90 days. For best results, some will want to stay on the kit after that,others will want to be able to purchase individual components basedupon their particular needs.

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Glycemic Foundation - Chocolate982 Grams ID #920977SUGGESTED USE: For the first 3 days of use, add 1/2 scoop(16g) of Glycemic Foundation to 8oz. of water or thebeverage of your choice, stir and drink between or beforemeals 1 to 3 times daily. Increase dose to one scoop(32.7g) after 3 days or as recommended by your healthcare professional.

Glycemic Foundation contains a uniqueblend of ingredients, including flaxseedflour, guar gum and Oryzatein, a healthybrown rice protein that helps supporthealthy blood sugar levels.† GlycemicFoundation is an easy-to-mix drink with adelightful chocolate flavor.

ChromeMate® is a registered trademark of InterHealth N.I. ChromeMate® brand niacin-bound chromium

(U.S. Patents 4,923,855, 4,954,492 and 5,194,615).

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Glycemic Foundation

Also available in Vanilla Smoothie Boost!Glycemic Foundation Vanilla Smoothie Boost939 Grams ID #922934

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Tranquil MomentID #921020SUGGESTED USE: Pour boiling waterover a tea bag and brew 3 minutes orto desired strength.

Using traditional herbal adrenal tonics and adaptogens,combined with the subtle hint of peppermint and hibiscus,Tranquil Moment is as pleasant as it is therapeutic.

Take the time to brew a soothing, aromatic tea for a moment alone and some much needed rest.

Amount Per Serving %DV* Amount Per Serving %DV*Total Fat 6 g 9% Total Carbohydrate 25 g 8%

Calories 200 Saturated Fat 1.5 g 8% Total Dietary Fiber 9.5 g 38%

Fat Cal. 53 Soluble Fiber 7.2 gTrans Fat 0 g

Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Insoluble Fiber 2.3 gSodium 30 mg 1% Sugars 10 g

Protein 12 g 24%

Niacin 100% ! Vitamin B6 1,000% ! Pantothenic Acid 500% ! Chromium 170%Vitamin A 0% ! Vitamin C 0% ! Calcium 8% ! Iron 60% ! Riboflavin 590%

Nutrition FactsServing Size: (51 g) One Bar

* Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

When stress, hectic schedules or unexpected events causeskipped meals, our Tempo Bar is the answer. Uniquelyformulated with 12 grams of protein and 9.5 grams ofdietary fiber, our Tempo Bar is a quick, delicious way tohelp maintain balanced insulin and glucose levels for aconsistent “glycemic tempo” throughout the day.

Each chocolate mint-flavored bar contains with no gluten,soy, preservatives, artificial flavors or aspartame. Availablein a 12-count, counter-top display box.

Tempo Bar

Tempo BarID #923012Box of 12 Bars

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ID #917060 60 CapsulesID #917120 120 CapsulesSUGGESTED USE: 2 capsules 1–2

times per day or as recommendedby your health care professional.

The special blend of vitaminsand adaptagenic herbs inAdren-All provides adrenalsupport for fatigue, stress anda host of other telltale signs oflow adrenal function.

ID# 918060 60 CapsulesID# 918120 120 CapsulesSUGGESTED USE: 2 capsules 1–2times per day or as recommendedby your health care professional.

This formula providesthe same comprehensiveadrenal support formulaas Adren-All without theadrenal glandular. Inaddition, we haveincluded the adaptogenashwagandha (in anextract form) to thiscomprehensive blend ofherbal adrenal tonics.

Betatene® is a registered trademark of Cognis B.V.

Betatene® is a registeredtrademark of Cognis B.V.

Adren-All†

Adapten-All2 capsules contain

% DailyValue

Vitamin A(as Betatene® Natural Mixed Carotenoids)Vitamin C(as Sodium Ascorbate USP)Vitamin E(as d-Alpha Tocopherol Succinate)Niacin USPVitamin B6(as Pyridoxine HCl USP, Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate)Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin)

10%

333%

67%

100%1,500%

3,333%3,500%Pantothenic Acid

(as d-Calcium Pantothenate USP)

Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) *Root Extract (Standardized to contain 0.8% Eleutherosides)Rhodiola rosea Root Extract *(Standardized to contain 3% Rosavins)Schizandra Berry Extract *Ashwaganda Root Extract *(Standardized to contain 1.5% Withanolides)Licorice Root Extract *(Standardized to contain 12% Glycyrrhizin Complex)

* % Daily Value not established

500 IU

200 mg

20 IU

20 mg30 mg

200 mcg350 mg

150 mg

150 mg

150 mg75 mg

75 mg

Amount PerServing

Serving Size: 2 CapsulesServings Per Container: 30 & 60

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ID# 919060 60 CapsulesSUGGESTED USE: 2 capsules 1–2 times per dayor as recommended by your health careprofessional.

During times of acute stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis is over-stimulated and needs help rebalancing. Theoverproduction of cortisol and other stress hormones is typicalfor individuals with HPA axis overload. AdreneVive is formulatedto help respond to HPA axis overload by reducing cortisol levelsand limiting the negative impact of acute adrenal stress. Combining three popular adaptogenic herbs (Siberian Ginseng,

Rhodiola andashwagandha), thisformula also includes anextract of Scutellariabaicalensis to helpsupport the immunesystem during times ofstress. For the benefits ofPhosphatidylserine,please see page 29.

Phosphatidylserine helps restore proper feedbackloops to reduce cortisol production under acuteadrenal stress.

ID #54209090 Soft Gel CapsulesSUGGESTED USE: 1–3 softgel capsules per day or asrecommended by yourhealth care professional.

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Suntheanine® is a registered trademark of Taiyo International, Inc.

Phosphatidylserine

AdreneVive

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DHEA 5 mgID #590100100 TabletsSUGGESTED USE: 1 ormore tablets per day oras recommended byyour health careprofessional.

ID #591100 100 TabletsSUGGESTED USE: 1 ormore tablets per day or asrecommended by yourhealth care professional.

Secreted naturally by the adrenal glands, DHEA is importantas a regulating and precursor hormone. DHEA naturallydecreases in the body with age. Lower levels of DHEAhave been associated with poor health. More recentlyDHEA has been used to address adrenal exhaustion andfatigue for patients showing DHEA deficiency.

A key precursor to cortisol, DHEA and progesterone,pregnenolone is used clinically by physicians whomeasure hormone functions and adrenal hormones.It serves as a vital supplement to support adrenalfunction.

Supplement FactsServing Size: 1 TabletServings Per Container: 100

Amount Per % DailyServing Value1 tablet contains

Pregnenolone

* % Daily Value not established V2

10 mg *

DHEA 25 mgID #595090 90 CapsulesSUGGESTED USE: 1capsule per day or asrecommended byyour health careprofessional.

DHEA

Pregnenolone

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ID #521030 30 CapsulesID #521060 60 CapsulesSUGGESTED USE: 2 capsules one hourbefore sleep or as recommended byyour health care professional.

ID #817001 2 OuncesSUGGESTED USE: 5– 10 drops ofextract daily or as recommendedby your health care professional.

One of the more versatile botanical extracts, licorice root extract isexcellent for adrenal, respiratory, immunological and relatedfunctions.† Our liquid licorice root is freshly extracted after the organicroots are harvested and standardized to ensure proper dosing andconsistency. Standardized for glycyrrhizin, licorice root is an excellentway to keep cortisol from converting to the inactive cortisone.†

Intermittent wakefulness, difficulty falling or remaining asleep,or waking too early are all signs the body is having difficultymanaging stress. Restlessness and difficulty falling asleep areoften the root cause of many daytime problems, including lossof energy, concentration and productivity. Natural ZZZsaddresses these issues with natural ingredients, and withoutthe side effects oftenassociated withother regimens.†

Suntheanine® is a registered trademark of Taiyo International, Inc.

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15 & 30

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Natural ZZZs

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Appendix: Understanding the Science Behind theStress Response

Understanding the rudimentary aspects of the stress responserequires knowing a few components of anatomy and hormonephysiology. The basic components we will discuss are the adrenalglands and several hormones made in the adrenals, as well as thehypothalamus and pituitary glands and some of the hormones theysecrete (see Figure 4). There are some references in the back of thissection that might be helpful if you want to read more about thecomponents of adrenal health.

The Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are small (5 grams) glandular tissues lying atopeach of the kidneys. The inner portion, called the medulla, secretesepinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine and is an extension ofthe sympathetic nervous system. The larger outer portion, called thecortex, is responsible for secreting various steroid hormones. We willconsider only the cortex and its hormones in this discussion.

Of the nearly 30 steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex,the principal ones include aldosterone (a mineralocorticoid), cortisol (aglucocorticoid) and various sex hormones and their precursors(DHEA, androstenedione). The mineralocorticoids play an essentialrole in regulating potassium and sodium levels, water balance and,consequently, blood pressure. DHEA and its metabolites havediverse effects during the lifecycle of the individual. Finally, thereis the glucocorticoid, cortisol, a key player in the stress responsemechanism of the adrenal glands.

Cortisol

Cortisol is tightly regulated by feedback mechanisms in both thehypothalamus and the pituitary glands, where the original hormonalsignals trigger its production. As in other systems, the hypothalamusgland, located at the base of the brain, begins the process by secreting

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corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in response to a variety of“stressors.” CRF then triggers the anterior pituitary to release adreno-corticotropic hormone (ACTH), which travels through the blooduntil it reaches the adrenal glands, where it induces the secretion ofcortisol by the adrenal cortex. In turn, increasing cortisol levels slowdown the production of both CRF and ACTH from their respectiveglands. This whole circuit is referred to as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis or system. Similar systems also regulate thethyroid hormones (HPT axis) and ovarian hormone production(HPO axis). Not surprisingly, stress will also cause imbalance in thethyroid and female hormone cycles as well.

Normal functioning of the HPA is known to have three attributes.First, when the system is unstressed, there is a regular circadianrhythm of activity. The rhythm results in the highest cortisol levelsshortly after awakening (7–8 a.m.) with levels progressively falling

Figure 4

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until they are lowest during the first several hours of sleeping. Ahealthy HPA axis has an appropriate circadian rhythm, as well asappropriate total daily secretion of cortisol. The second function ofthe HPA is proper coordination of feedback loops. As mentionedpreviously, increasing amounts of cortisol should be able to shutdown ACTH and CRF production, and hence, reduce serum cortisollevels. Your doctor may test your feedback loops using clinicallyappropriate challenges with corticosteroids like dexamethasone. He orshe may also perform positive tests for pituitary and adrenal cortexfunctions by giving CRF or ACTH and measuring cortisol responses.

Third, and most importantly, is the fact that various stressors canstimulate the HPA and many can do so in a way that overrides boththe circadian and feedback controls. It is this well-known phenome-non that allows the functional testing of the HPA system to give usa glimpse at the effects of stress (both acute and chronic) on thehealth of an individual.

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Ortho Molecular Products, Inc.3017 Business Park DriveStevens Point, WI 54482

LT-ARK-002 040710

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