The chances are good that you’re hooked on coffee, or something like it.  Nine out of ten Americans use caffeine in some form,averaging 200 mg a day, the equivalent of about two cups of coffee.  And although caffeine is not considered as deadly as tobacco, it has been officially added to the list of addictive substances, and may be at least partially responsible for a variety of health problems, including chronic headaches, fatigue, heart palpitations, depression, ulcers, and premenstrual syndrome.

My personal experience with caffeine left me with insomnia, moodiness, hypoglycemia, and stomach pains, accompanied, of course, but the frequent lifts that kept me going. If I missed my fix, I became tired and depressed, and got headaches. Like most addicts, I had convinced myself that my fix – up to five cups a day of coffee, tea, or cola – was only moderate intake. But when I tried quitting, which did dozens of times; I always succumbed to the cravings. Caffeine seemed like the only way to overcome fatigue.

My resolve to quit strengthened when I began contemplating pregnancy, but to finally quit, I had to do more than just eliminate caffeine. I had to design a program that would keep my body strong and energized while it motivated my mind.  Once I did this, I was completely and happily committed to a caffeine-free life.

Instant energy, but at a Price

Rapidly absorbed into most tissues (including the placenta), caffeine works by activating the sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system. It stimulates the brain, and causes the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline, which in turn increases the heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure. The liver responds to this by releasing glucose, and blood sugar rises. You feel energized. Caffeine also acts on the pleasure centers of the brain, altering the brain’s hormone levels and enticing caffeine uses to indulge again and again.

This jump start – which may not sound so bad to you if you’re a coffee drinker – has a cost in adrenal exhaustion, fluctuating blood sugar levels, and depleted energy reserves. Unlink stimulants like ginseng and licorice, which builds energy and nourishes the body, caffeine robs the body of vitamins and minerals. Coffee has an especially adverse effect on the body’s ability to adsorb iron and calcium. Women who don’t get enough calcium and who drink as few as two cups of coffee a day actually increase their risk of osteoporosis. All coffee drinkers suffer from overstimulated adrenal glands which become overworked, tired, and unable to respond to stress. The bottom line is, you need more and more caffeine to overcome fatigue, and the spiral continues. Read more