Usually the first thing you’re told if you suffer from adrenal fatigue is that you need to change their diet. Although this isn’t difficult advice to follow, many people have trouble finding nutritious recipes in order to eat healthier or feel they may be ‘missing out’ on the ‘good stuff’. Our Easy Crockpot Turkey Bowl, however, is a mix of healthy nutrition and naughty decadence. Considering the health benefits of turkey, our turkey bowl is a super delicious and highly nutritious treat.
Before checking out this recipe, however, let’s first take a look at why our Easy Crockpot Turkey Bowl is so good for you.
Adrenal fatigue is the direct result of stress. Your adrenal glands produce ever increasing amounts of cortisol in response to your body’s NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response, a natural, automatic response driven by chemical messengers in your brain. These messengers are governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. If the hypothalamus perceives a threat, chemical messengers are sent to the pituitary gland instructing them to trigger your adrenal glands by means of their own chemical messengers, and cortisol is produced by your adrenals in response.
Over time, your adrenals can become worn out and may no longer be able to keep up with cortisol demands, resulting in a decrease cortisol levels. This usually occurs during the more advanced stages of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS). Each stage of adrenal fatigue has a particular set of symptoms attached to it, although many of these overlap or simply increase in intensity as AFS progresses. While two people may show signs of AFS, it’s highly unlikely that both have the same set of symptoms, which makes identifying the condition extremely difficult.
Some common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include
The turkey in our turkey bowl recipe is an especially excellent food source if you suffer from adrenal fatigue, since it contains loads of nutrients that can help you address the various symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue. A single turkey breast, found in our turkey bowl, contains a negligible amount of fat, carbohydrates, and cholesterol but includes a massive 24 g of protein, 24 g selenium, 196 mg phosphorous, 7 g vitamin B6, 4 g vitamin of C, 3 g of potassium, 6 g of thiamin, 7 g of niacin, 3 g of tryptophan, and 7 g riboflavin. These nutrients can have wonderful benefits especially if you’re experiencing the various symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
The turkey in this recipe has the following health benefits:
Tryptophan helps boost serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter—chemical messenger—that transmits messages between your nerve cells and is the precursor to melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleeping and waking. Serotonin is also responsible for feelings of wellbeing and happiness, and thus has a positive effect on how you perceive stress, anxiety, and depression. This neurotransmitter is found mainly in the brain, digestive tract, and blood platelets.
Low levels of serotonin are associated with increased feelings of anxiety as well as severe depression.
Potassium is a blood mineral—an electrolyte—that helps your body maintain normal blood pressure and may also help reduce elevated blood pressure levels.
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, helps your body metabolize carbohydrates into glucose and aids lipid metabolism. It does this by reducing the production of cholesterol and triglycerides in your liver, thereby improving your heart health. A severe lack of niacin in your body could result in pellagra, a condition characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, dementia, and dry cracked skin.
Thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is necessary for metabolizing food for energy. It also plays a role in heart health as well as proper nerve function. Symptoms associated with a thiamin deficiency include chronic fatigue, psychosis, nerve damage, and heart issues.
The turkey in our turkey bowl recipe is an excellent source of protein. Protein provides your body with the amino acids it needs to produce a range of hormones, including insulin and growth hormones. Therefore, protein is essential for keeping your skin, nails, and hair healthy.
Protein is also required to transfer oxygen throughout your body. Additionally, it prevents blood clotting and combats cell damage.
Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that not only promotes a healthy immune system but may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Although very high doses of selenium are potentially toxic, the chances of being exposed to such high doses through food consumption is unlikely. A selenium deficiency may contribute to hypothyroidism, a weak immune system, and even heart disease. Please note, however, that a selenium deficiency does not cause these conditions, it simply makes you more susceptible to them. Low selenium levels coupled with low levels of iodine in pregnant women may result in children born with mental retardation.
Vitamin C promotes the activity and growth of white blood cells, which attack invading pathogens, regulate your body’s immune responses, and produce antibodies. Besides stimulating the production of white blood cells, vitamin C is also an antioxidant, protecting your white blood cells from the chemicals they release to kill off invading pathogens.
Signs of a vitamin C deficiency include a susceptibility to illnesses (lowered immunity), an iron deficiency or anemia (your body needs vitamin C to absorb iron), dry skin and nails, headaches, and fatigue.
The selenium, vitamin C, potassium, and protein in our turkey bowl recipe all contribute to immune health, aiding your body in its fight against viral and bacterial infections.
Our turkey bowl is simple and inexpensive to make yet offers many health benefits. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the low-fat contents of this turkey bowl along with its metabolism boosting properties make it a great recipe if you’re trying to lose weight.
© Copyright 2019 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
Yes, it will. Our Turkey Bowl recipe contains ingredients that support adrenal function by addressing a number of issues associated with the condition. The many nutrients are all beneficial not only for those with adrenal fatigue but may improve your overall health as well.
