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If you are highly stressed and have some unexplained symptoms that do not fit with a medical diagnosis, chances are that you are suffering from adrenal fatigue. Stress is a normal part of our daily life. Accepting that means it is important to remember that stress can affect our bodies in different ways.
Stress triggers the body’s fight or flight response. Too much constant stress can keep your body in this response state in perpetuity. This can lead to short term and long-term adverse effects. Stress and adrenal support for fatigue go hand in hand.
You see, stress can trigger certain hormones in the human body like cortisol that keep your body on alert all the time and trigger this adrenal fatigue. In this state, your body can undergo serious harmful effects. By decreasing stress, and adding adrenal support protocols, in the form of diet and supplements you may be able to ward off this condition.
Before you learn how to take care of such a condition, it is important to understand what causes adrenal fatigue and what the adrenal fatigue symptoms are. Once you have the know-how of the issue affecting you, then will you be able to take incremental steps to care for this condition and to at least lessen the suffering.
Adrenal Glands
Everyone has two adrenal glands. These glands are located on top of each of the kidneys. These glands are a part of the endocrine system which is a collection of hormone producing glands. Though small in size, these glands are involved in numerous biological activities in the human body. Even small changes in their function can have a huge impact on our health.
Each gland has an outer cortex that is responsible for producing aldosterone and cortisol, among other steroidal hormones. The hormone cortisol is of immense importance as it helps regulate the human body’s reaction to stress. It also regulates sugar levels, metabolism, and blood pressure.
These adrenal glands work in conjunction with the pituitary gland in the brain. When any stress or stimuli affect their normal function, it puts the whole internal hormonal balance in the body out of the whack.
What is Adrenal Fatigue?
Adrenal Fatigue describes a set of symptoms in the human body. These symptoms can occur in people going through long term emotional, mental, and even physical stress. People are more likely to develop this problem if they have stressful jobs, stressed relationships, or are undergoing some kind of mental turmoil. Even people who are addicted to drugs can experience adrenal fatigue.
Sometimes also referred to as a mild adrenal insufficiency, it can occur when adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. When they are burned out, naturally the hormone level drops. This then leads to a wide variety of symptoms like brain fog, irritability, tiredness, frustration, etc. A person may also lose weight, often get dehydrated, or even confused. They may also feel weak and have low blood pressure.
What Causes Adrenal Fatigue?
Decreasing stress and adrenal support can help the body tackle adrenal fatigue. If you are wondering how that will happen let’s first see how stress causes fatigue.
At first three hormones in the body namely adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol decrease and stay in that state, this results in minor stress. Then in the second stage, these three hormones raise sharply, giving rise to feelings of dread and panic. In the third stage, these hormones fall, and people are left without enough energy to get through the stress in daily life. Then in the fourth stage, adrenaline and norepinephrine increase but cortisol decreases. This leaves a person too edgy and wired but too tired to do anything.
Prolonged cycles of this, leaves you with adrenal fatigue. So, it is important to learn to identify when you are going through these cycles and to fight it by decreasing stress and adrenal support increase.
How is Adrenal Fatigue Diagnosed?
There is no way or test to diagnose adrenal fatigue. Only you can tell when you are feeling the entire symptoms specific to adrenal fatigue or when you are undergoing increased stress. Here is what you should look out for.
Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms
If you are experiencing increased mental, physical, or emotional pressure and stress and have multiple of these symptoms, you are likely undergoing adrenal fatigue:
- Anxiety even when resting
- Depression or increased stress
- Unexplained body aches
- Poor sleep
- Dry skin
- Weight loss
- Digestive problems especially constipation
- Blood pressure issues
- Heart palpitations despite having a normal cardiac function
- Dizziness even after resting
Dealing with Adrenal Fatigue
The first way of dealing with adrenal fatigue is by decreasing stress and adrenal care increase. The way of doing that can be three-pronged. First, supplement your hormones by improving your diet. Second, decrease your stress, and third, use supplements.
Specialized Diet
An improved diet is a natural remedy for adrenal fatigue. It is important that before you do anything else, you improve the fuel your body uses to work. To take full advantage of this natural remedy for adrenal fatigue, first include foods that are high in protein content and add vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Foods like simple carbohydrates, fats, and alcohol that spike your blood sugar levels, can decrease the size of your hippocampus (brain) and disrupt your sleep. Foods high in omega-6s can lead to many conditions that cause fatigue.
Healthy food can improve the function of your adrenal glands, improve your blood pressure, and even improve how your body deals with stress. It is a proven fact that eating better and adopting a healthier lifestyle where you do not smoke, drink, or practice good hygiene can naturally make you feel better, both physically and mentally. It is also important to keep hydrated. Water is needed by the body for the healthy functioning of all organs and glands. Dehydration can contribute heavily to stress leading to increased cortisol production.
Foods that you should eat
Any food that is properly balanced and regulates your blood sugar levels is good for you. Choose foods with balanced protein, healthy fats, and high-quality, nutrient-dense carbohydrates. You should also increase your vegetable uptake to increase the vitamin and mineral content of your food. Food rich in vitamin C, vitamin B, and magnesium is good for your adrenal glands. Following foods are good for you:
- Eggs
- Legumes
- Fish
- Lean meats
- Leafy green and colorful vegetables
- Nuts
- Whole grains
- Fruits with low sugar content
- Healthy fats like olive oil
- Low-fat dairy
Food that you should avoid
Some foods like processed sugar and refined foods along with unhealthy fats are not good for you. These foods have been known to disturb blood sugar levels in the body, affecting your general health. Some foods to avoid are:
- White flour
- Sugar
- Sodas
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Processed food
- Artificial sweeteners
- Fried food/ junk food
Decrease Stress
You must decrease your stress if you are experiencing adrenal fatigue. You can do this by:
- Exercising
- Meditation
- Deep breathing exercises
- Limiting screen time
- Limiting your exposure to stressors
- Keeping company that makes you happy
- Letting go of people and things that give you stress
Adrenal Fatigue Supplement
To improve mood, stamina, health, and energy, adrenal support is of paramount importance. By decreasing stress and adrenal support, you can become less depressed and lethargic. All of this can usually be achieved by including adrenal fatigue supplements. These supplements are easily available in the market and can help you get rid of adrenal fatigue and in many cases limit the effects of stress on your body. Two very effective products for nourishing your body and relieving your stress are the adrenal care cream, which has shown promising results in fighting the adrenal fatigue symptoms and the pain associated with adrenal exhaustion and Ayurvedic Fertility Booster (not just for fertility but for all aspects of hormonal support boosting and containing some of the ingredients below). Apart from AC, here are some of the examples of supplements helping in this condition include:
1. Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Vitamin B5 helps the adrenal glands to produce healthier amounts of cortisol. In mice studies, this vitamin’s deficiency has been linked to abnormal functioning of the adrenal cortex. When these animals were injected with vitamin B5, they produced healthier amounts of cortisol and other adrenal hormones. The use of this vitamin in humans has been linked to decreased adrenal metabolites in urine. This represents the possible decrease in cortisol levels by vitamin B5.
2. Eleuthero Root
This plant is an adaptogen. Adaptogens help organisms to adapt to the stressors and avoid possible damage by them. Eleuthero Root helps the body keep healthier energy levels, increases focus, and attention during periods of stress. It also improves performance, endurance, and stamina. Eleuthero Root has shown to improve the body’s ability to adapt to the adverse physical condition and enhanced quality of work by people undergoing stress. It has also shown to boost mental performance.
3. Cordyceps Sinensis
This supplement has been used in China for centuries to improve health, energy levels, and vitality. In double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, these fungi have shown to improve the physical performance of elderly individuals. It has even shown protection in animal studies against electromagnetic radiation.
4. Ashwagandha
This is also an adaptogen and one of the most widely used worldwide. It is traditionally used in India to improve muscle strength, endurance, vigor, and overall health. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, ashwagandha has shown to get rid of frustration and mild stress in people. In other studies, it has shown to decrease cortisol levels compared to placebos. It has also shown positive results in supporting weight management in people who are under continuous stress.