Adrenal Fatigue Blog

Adrenal fatigue and weight gain results from the inability of the adrenal glands to function above the normal level. This means the adrenals are functioning less causing a myriad of symptoms which may include weight gain. To better understand adrenal fatigue and weight gain, let us first take a look at the function of the adrenal glands.

The Adrenals

The adrenal glands are two, small grape-sized glands located at the top of your kidneys. These pyramid shaped glands function to help our body battle stress, give the body enough energy, and also regulates other physiologic processes. So how do the adrenals do this? It is through the following actions: The adrenals release the hormone cortisol
When the body is subject to stress, whether that is physical, emotional, or biological (such as in the case of an infection), the adrenals are endowed with the responsibility of releasing cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone that increases blood sugar levels, suppresses the immune system, and stimulating protein and fat metabolism. Stressful situations cause the cells in the body to overwork, the increase in the work load requires energy, and this is where cortisol takes a major role. With the presence of cortisol, the liver is stimulated to do gluconeogenesis, the process of glucose production. Glucose is essential to the body, as it is the provider of the energy needed by the cells. In this sense, glucose serves as a form of “biologic fuel” to each of the cells in the body. And the supply of this fuel is made possible by the adrenal glands.

Aside from gluconeogenesis, cortisol also stimulates protein and fat metabolism. This again provides the body with additional energy it needs to fight stress and carry on other physiologic function. From this function alone, we can see the relationship between adrenal fatigue and weight gain.The Adrenals Release DHEA
DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is an essential hormone necessary to carry out reproductive functions in both males and females. DHEA is a precursor of hormones testosterone and estrogen, the two hormones responsible for the normal functioning of the male and female body, especially when it comes to their reproductive aspects.

Adrenal Fatigue and Weight Gain

With the function of the adrenal glands explained, we can better understand adrenal fatigue and its relation to weight gain.

Adrenal fatigue is said to be caused by chronic exposure to stress, rendering the adrenals “exhausted” and insufficient to produce the necessary hormones. Adrenal fatigue is not an accepted medical diagnosis, it is a condition often used in the area of alternative and complementary medicine. Experts in the same field consider adrenal fatigue a syndrome; yet again the medical field doesn’t consider it a distinct one.

Adrenal fatigue has a particular relation to weight gain in a sense that the insufficiency of the adrenals also cause an insufficient production of cortisol. Remember that cortisol sparks production of glucose for energy and the metabolism of proteins and fats for energy as well. With insufficient cortisol, the process of energy production is halted, the process of metabolism is slowed down and this causes weight gain. Since there is no cortisol to spark the production of glucose for energy, the liver also slows down, and rather than producing glucose, it transforms them into a storage form, sometimes in the form of fats. This further leads to weight gain.

Adrenal Fatigue and Other Conditions

Weight gain is not the only condition or symptom that results from insufficient adrenal glands. Immune and reproductive functions are also affected with the hypo activity of the adrenals. Because the adrenals release DHEA, a precursor of estrogen and testosterone, decrease in the functioning of the adrenals affects the release of these hormones. Low levels of DHEA cause low levels of estrogen and testosterone. Decreased level of estrogen halts the woman’s ability to release egg and also disrupts a woman’s menstrual cycle; a decreased level of testosterone also does the same for men, decreasing their capability to produce sperm. Without these, fertilization and conception becomes difficult.

The immune system is also affected by adrenal fatigue. With the adrenals working less than the usual, its capability to release cortisol becomes compromised. Cortisol regulates the immune system by controlling our body’s response to infection or inflammation. Cortisol relieves inflammation and prevents too much white blood cells from destroying our own cells and tissues.

It is important to note that the correlation with adrenal fatigue and weight gain is not always seen in people with this condition, since adrenal fatigue is a result of chronic stress, significant weight loss can also be seen in this condition.

Adrenal fatigue and your immune system are closely linked together, but sadly, little is known about adrenal fatigue, even within the medical community. Adrenal fatigue, also known as adrenal gland fatigue or adrenal exhaustion, is often misdiagnosed as the symptoms can be associated with numerous other types of ailments, unless the problems veer toward extreme dysfunction, as evidenced in Addison’s Disease or Cushing’s Disease.

Adrenal glands are triangular shaped glands the size of walnuts and sit atop each kidney. The inner section of the gland is responsible for producing adrenaline and noradrenaline, the all important substances that can eradicate pain, whereas the outer layer, known as the adrenal cortex, manufactures hormones such as cortisol, testosterone, DHEA, aldosterone or estrogen.

The adrenal glands follow a circadian rhythm, with hormone production actively surging early in the day then decreasing toward the evening.

Adrenal fatigue and your immune system. Symptoms :

* Muscle and joint pain
* Low energy level or low blood sugar level
* Migraines
* Extreme fatigue
* High susceptibility to infections, allergies or common colds
* Lower back pain
* Weakened immune system
* Sleep that is not restful
* Low sex drive
* Salt craving
* And many more…..

Since the adrenal glands control our response to stress by releasing the appropriate hormones to deal with seemingly threatening events, it is also important to note the different types of stress conditions that can lead to the glands to overreact.

* Emotional stress can be induced by external factors, such as traffic congestion, loss of unemployment, bereavement and countless of other reasons. Lack or insufficient sleep tends to weaken the immune system and is a major contributor to adrenal overwork.

* Inflammatory stress results from simple accidents such as a twisted ankle, to more elevated issues such as H. Pylori bacteria infections, intestinal candida infection or gut dysbiosis.

Cortisol is critical to the proper functioning of the immune system and inadequate production of cortisol by highly fatigued adrenal glands can lead to various auto-immune disorders, including alopecia areata, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, cardiomyopathy, crest syndrome, polyarteritis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, sclerodorma, ulcerative colitis, dermatomyositis, discoid lupus, anklosing spondylitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cold agglutinin disease, just to name a few.

The hormone cortisol also converts fats and proteins into energy, balances electrolytes, along with regulating the calibration of heart beat and pressure. The antibody Secretory IgA responds to viruses and other pathogens that enter the nose and throat, or via the intestinal or urinary tracts, and abnormal cortisol production can seriously disrupt the IgA level necessary to fight off infections.

However, a sustained and excessive level of cortisol can have destructive consequences that can include the following :

* Destruction of healthy bone or muscle
* Serious impairment of the digestive and mental functions, along with metabolism
* Slowing down of the healing process
* Disruption of normal cell regeneration
* Weight gain
* Acne or hair loss
* Depression
* Arthritis
* Fibromyalgia
* Hypothyroidism

Interestingly, the adrenal glands contain the highest concentration of Vitamin C in your body. The glands utilize Vitamin C in the manufacturing of all different types of hormones, and when a stressful situation is encountered, Vitamin C can be rapidly used up. Lack of Vitamin C then throws the adrenal glands into a state of panic, inducing an even higher production level of cortisol, releasing a vicious cycle.

Adrenalin fatigue and your immune system. Testing :

A test of adrenal functions is available and is a very easy and painless procedure. This test aims at measuring the cortisol and DHEA levels in your saliva and consists of four samples taken at various times of the day to assess the fluctuation levels of such hormones.

Conventional medical practitioners would probably prescribe a blood test to be performed to assess these hormone levels; however, it has been pointed out that the stress of having a needle stuck into your body can deliver inaccurate readings, therefore, a saliva test is the preferred method.

Adrenal fatigue and your immune system. How to correct the imbalance :

* Lifestyle may potentially become the key as stress in its various forms is the determining factor. Avoiding stressful situations as much as possible and allowing yourself some down time can be a huge benefit.
* Get as much sleep as your body requires for normal functioning
* Reduce your sugar and stimulant intakes
* Follow a moderate exercise regime
* Yoga or meditation will put you into a more relaxed state
* Laughter has been shown to be especially helpful
* Health supplements

Unfortunately, conventional medical protocol still follows a disease based model, and adrenal fatigue is not medically considered a disease, thus do not be overly surprised if a medical practitioner gives you a blank stare when the condition is mentioned.

Adrenal glands are an important part of human body as they are responsible for producing various types of hormones in the body which regulate various aspects of your health and overall well being. Adrenal fatigue can hinder the production of these important hormones in the body and affect normal functioning of various body systems. Adrenal fatigue diet can help normalize the condition and ensure that the production of hormones by adrenal glands is not hampered. There is no special diet for adrenal fatigue and if you the basic rule of a healthy and nutritious diet this condition can easily be controlled.

In order to keep hormones level in the body at optimum levels and your adrenal glands functioning efficiently here are some useful tips for a healthy adrenal fatigue diet:

1) Eat more often
You should eat more often and avoid being without a meal for long periods during the day. You should at least eat 3 meals a day and certainly eat breakfast every day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day which provides energy to the body for the day and helps us to be productive and efficient in our work. If you are suffering from adrenal fatigue you should eat 5-6 meals every day. When you eat meals after a long period it may result in sudden spikes in blood sugar levels which can be avoided by eating at regular intervals. You should plan your diet for the day and ensure that you never go without a meal for more than 2-3 hours. You should just ensure to eat something healthy and you would be well on your way to keep adrenal fatigue under control.

2) Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugar
Caffeine, alcohol and sugar intake need to be considerably reduced to effectively counter the condition of adrenal fatigue. People who take alcohol and caffeine regularly or eat a diet high in sugar content crave for them deeply if they don’t get them. If you too take a lot of alcohol, caffeine or eat a diet high in sugar content you should consider reducing the consumption especially if you suffer from adrenal fatigue. Many people take caffeine to stimulate themselves and feel rejuvenated and energetic while alcohol serves as a way to relax your mind and body. The fact is that human body does not need external elements to be stimulated as adrenal present in the body can do the trick for you. When you feel tired and want to feel energetic and rejuvenated choose healthier options like regular exercise and balanced diet for best results. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, water are healthier alternatives to caffeine and sugar.

3) Avoid processed food
When planning for a adrenal fatigue diet remember that you should avoid processed foods as they have no nutritional benefits for your body. Many people who lead a busy life believe that they have no option but no eat processed foods due to the time restraints. You can easily prepare easy healthy time which hardly take any time to be prepared and are way healthier and nutritious compared to nutritious foods. You should try and eat food in its natural form. The minimum steps involved in cooking a meal the more nutritious it is for your body.

4)Eat your diet in a healthy way
Adrenal fatigue diet is helpful but you should also be careful of the way you eat your food to get maximum benefits. Today people lead a busy lifestyle and have no time even to eat their food in a correct and healthy way. It is extremely important to chew your food thoroughly when eating to get optimum nutrition. You should also eat in a relaxed environment for proper digestion. You should never eat in a hurry as this will mean you won’t chew your food properly and it would also affect your digestion.

5) Drink more water
Water is important for our body as it plays a role in keeping all our body systems working efficiently. It flushes out harmful toxins from the body and keeps the body healthy. Most popular beverages like cola, coffee, fruit juices are harmful as they are high on sugar content. Water is the healthiest beverage and if you suffer from adrenal fatigue cut down all beverages which have sugar and switch to water for a healthier and energetic life.

The thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland is responsible for many bodily functions including growth, development and processes at the cellular level. Abnormally low levels of the thyroid hormone production lead to hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism thus impacts the body and its physiological processes in more ways than one.

Hypothyroidism is caused by many factors. Of the many people who are diagnosed with faulty thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism, some are also seen to develop adrenal fatigue. The common symptoms of hypothyroidism are hair fall, libido, constipation, fatigue, weight gain, sluggishness, etc. Similar symptoms have been observed in those individuals whose adrenal glands have reached a point of exhaustion. There is a third group of people who are known to suffer from both. The symptoms common to both are low body temperature, sluggishness and weight gain, cold hands, etc.

Adrenal fatigue is a medical condition in which the adrenal glands are weakened as a result of many factors. Some of the most common symptoms of adrenal fatigue are as follows:

-Libido
-Insomnia and low-quality sleep
-Increased early-morning fatigue
-Depression and stress
-Hypoglycemia
-Craving for sugary and salted foods

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue are observed more during the daytimes.

Medical experts and healthcare professionals have opined that weakened adrenal glands lead to malfunction of the thyroid gland. It has also been seen that trying to tackle a thyroid malfunction by ignoring the adrenals does not ameliorate the condition.

The Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

The main factors that contribute to the weakening of adrenals are chronic stress and poor lifestyle habits that include eating wrong kinds of food. Such individuals are known to have imbalances of insulin and cortisol hormones in their bodies. Excessive consumption of refined foods like white flour and sugar lead to increased insulin resistance of the cells that causes diabetes. These poor eating habits and chronic stress elicit constant secretions of the hormone cortisol and this leads to eventual exhaustion of the adrenal glands. Adrenal fatigue can also be caused by physical and emotional trauma such as a physical accident or emotional loss such as death of a loved one.

The Link between Hypothyroidism and Adrenal Fatigue

Many medical practitioners have noticed a link between hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue and have named it as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-thyroid axis. It is a network of complex interactions that take place among these glands. Both the adrenals and the thyroid gland are concerned with the production of energy and hence the link.

When the hormonal secretion of the adrenal gland increases, the function of the thyroid is seen to be inhibited. Adrenaline is observed to increase the levels of reverse T3 in the bloodstream. Reverse T3 is the inactive component of the main thyroid hormone T3. Increased levels of reverse T3 is seen to inhibit T3 at the binding sites. Excessive reverse T3 levels have thus been observed to allow thyroid malfunction to set in. Excessive production of adrenaline and cortisol generally mask this effect. However, the hypothyroid symptoms appear full blown when the adrenal gland is fatigued.

This stresses the need for checking levels of reverse T3 while checking the thyroid function. It also goes to show that constant stress can induce hypothyroid symptoms. Thus, most individuals with adrenal fatigue are also victims of thyroid malfunction.

Sustained high levels of cortisol are also known to impair the immune system, weaken muscles and bones, slow down cell renewal and growth, disturb metabolism, etc.

Treatment of Hypothyroidism and Adrenal Fatigue

The treatment of hypothyroidism involves supplying adequate nutrition to the thyroid gland to improve its function while simultaneously tackling adrenal fatigue.

The thyroid gland can be provided recommended allowances of tyrosine, selenium and iodine to improve its functional efficiency. It has also been seen that use of synthetic thyroid hormones is not very effective in correcting the impairment.

A moderate adrenal imbalance can be corrected by resorting to healthy practices such as the following:
Infuse good nutritional habits into the daily diet. It pays to avoid excessive consumption of refined sugars, flours, and highly processed foods. This serves to maintain normal cortisol levels.Consume high quality natural vitamin supplements, minerals and essential fatty acids according to recommended daily allowances.Avoid excessive stress and give the body adequate rest.

Thus it is evident that if thyroid malfunction is caused by adrenal fatigue, a drastic improvement can be seen in the patient’s health if both the problems are tackled simultaneously.

Treatment for full adrenal recovery depends on an individual’s adrenal fatigue stage. However, there are basic steps that you can take to treat adrenal fatigue, including taking a self-test questionnaire, and undergoing baseline testing, colon cleansing, and taking supplements for adrenal fatigue. The treatment plan also includes lifestyle therapy and saliva testing to monitor hormone levels.

Self-Test Questionnaire

This questionnaire is simple, straightforward and your results are issued within 10 minutes. The questions are regarding your health habits, your symptoms and the length of time you have been experiencing these symptoms. The questionnaire helps determine how severe your symptoms from adrenal fatigue are. It also provides a set of guidelines detailing a recovery plan to resolve your adrenal fatigue condition.

Baseline Testing

Baseline testing provides an objective method of testing to detect abnormalities with your adrenal glands. A lot of doctors tend to only rely on the results of blood tests, which they compare with standard ‘normal range’ results to detect hormonal imbalances. Blood tests are a routine diagnostic tool in western medicine. However there are problems with standard blood tests . For one, hormones are mostly found in the tissues rather than in the bloodstream, which means hormone levels detected in the blood are not an entirely accurate representation of hormone performance in the body.

Another problem is the range of normal which test results are compared against. What is considered the normal range is often large, and conditions are only detected at polar extremes of the edge of this scale. This creates a problem when your adrenals have low function yet your blood tests still fall within the normal range. Although blood tests have many uses and are routine diagnostic tests for many conditions, they are not sufficient as a diagnostic method form sub-clinical hormonal disorders including adrenal fatigue.

Sowhat tests are effective?

Saliva testing provides a more effective method for diagnosing adrenal fatigue. These tests detect the levels of certain hormones present in your saliva. They are probably the best diagnostic tool for adrenal fatigue. They are not invasive like blood and urine tests, and provide a more accurate way of diagnosing adrenal fatigue. Saliva tests do not need to be performed by a physician, and can be individually ordered online. Many physicians do not perform saliva testing, yet are coming to appreciate their usefulness and perform similar tests at a patient’s request.

The many benefits of saliva tests include:

• When compared to other tests, saliva testing is less invasive. Saliva tests usually only need you to put yu saliva into a tube a few times in a day. The test tubes are sent to the lab to interpret your results.
• Saliva tests only measure the active components of hormones, which facilitate a speedier diagnosis.
• They provide more accurate way of detecting and monitoring hormone levels in the body.

This is known as baseline testing, where present adrenal hormone levels are compared against the original test results to find out whether adrenal function is improving or diminishing over time. This is a crucial way of determining the effectiveness of any treatment you take.

Cleanse/Detox

A cleanse or detox is an effective way of treating adrenal fatigue. Cleanses, and especially colon cleanses, have many benefits. Hippocrates, the ‘father of modern medicine’, was correct when he stated that all diseases start in the gut. Many individuals, particularly those in industrialized countries, are increasingly exposed to toxins in our diets. The body does not know how to manage these increasing numbers of toxins, resulting in the build-up of toxins in our colons over time, and potentially leading to adrenal fatigue among other conditions.

Colon cleanses help increase energy levels, which provides you with energy you require to undergo the subsequent stages of adrenal fatigue treatment. Colon cleanses also enable improved vitamin and mineral absorption in the gut. Adrenal fatigue supplements can become ineffective when the minerals and vitamins in a supplement are not getting properly absorbed. To gain the benefits of adrenal fatigue supplements, it is best to undergo a colon cleanse.

Individuals with mild adrenal fatigue usually feel a lot better after a colon cleanse. Colon cleansing is one of the important ways of achieving adrenal fatigue recovery, and their many benefits include:

• Increased energy levels
• Clearer skin
• Better concentration
• Improved vitamin and mineral absorption
• Improved overall health and wellbeing
• Prevention of constipation
• Weight loss

Another thing that highlights the importance of colon cleansing, are studies that have revealed a direct link between the stage of a person’s adrenal fatigue and the toxicity of a colon.

Adrenal Fatigue Supplements

Adrenal fatigue supplements provide one of the many steps to treat adrenal fatigue. Depending on your adrenal fatigue state and symptoms, there are different amounts of supplements you can take. Adrenal fatigue supplements that you can take include energy or anti-stress, multivitamin, adrenal glandular and vitamin C supplements. In addition, depending on the level of your adrenal function, there might be other supplements that you need to take that contain vitamins A, E and B6, adcorbic acid, and pantothenic acid.

Lifestyle Therapy

The reversal of lifestyle factors is an effective way of achieving complete recovery for adrenal fatigue patients. Lifestyle therapy involves treating a condition by implementing changes in an individual’s lifestyle or way of living.

Lifestyle changes can be implemented by first considering the sources of your energy, including physical sources, mental sources, emotional sources and spiritual sources. These sources determine how energy is formed and gathered, and how we expend energy as well. For different individuals, different areas may be a cause of stress and need to be addressed. Rather than just focusing on the physical aspect of your lifestyle, a holistic approach should be taken for your lifestyle recovery therapy. All of these areas are interlinked and are just as important as the physical component.

6 Week Saliva Testing

Individuals who follow these treatment steps for adrenal fatigue should begin to feel that their energy levels are returning. An improvement in adrenal fatigue symptoms is usually felt after about 3 weeks, but the treatment plan should still be followed for at least 6 weeks.

After 6 weeks of following the treatment plan, you can test your hormonal levels using saliva testing again. This will let you know whether cortisol levels are improving. You should compare these results with your baseline test results from 6 weeks ago when you first had the saliva test. Saliva testing after 6 weeks will enable you to tell whether the treatment you have taken was successful and that you adrenals are healing.

A normal response to stress is defined by increased heart rate and high blood pressure that only last for a short while, until the excitement is over and the body can return to a more relaxed state. However, if the adrenals in your body are fatigued, due to various causes among which continuous exposure to stress and elevations in the cortisol levels are the most common, this leads to the hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex, abnormal circadian rhythm, agitation, exhaustion, depression, weight gain, anxiety, mood swings and many other manifestations of this type.

According to medical studies and clinical trials, adrenal fatigue is not a medical condition in itself, in the sense that there are no scientific facts to back up the theory according to which prolonged physical and emotional stress can drain the adrenal glands located in the kidneys and cause all the above symptoms. Moreover, there are no tests to identify adrenal fatigue, nor are there any known treatments that have proved their efficiency in patients suffering from this problem.

So what is adrenal fatigue? Proponents claim this condition is a maladaptive state in which the adrenal glands can no longer produce the required amount of hormones needed for a properly functioning body. The “dysfunction” of the kidneys is caused by exposure to prolonged and repetitive mental, psychological and physical stress as the body is overwhelmed and cannot manage such acute stressors.

The adrenal glands are star-shaped, walnut-sized endocrine glands, situated on the surface of the kidneys. There are more than 50 hormones produced by these glands, among which the most important are epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline and noradrenaline), which are considered the fight and flight hormones, aldosterone, the hormone responsible for regulating the salt and water balance, cortisol, known as the stress hormone, pregnenolone, testosterone, estrogens and progesterone.

Any mental activity that’s carried out, including thinking, has a major impact on the adrenals’ well-being and overall body health. Excessive thinking, stress and other causes force the adrenal glands to adjust to enhanced brain activity by producing increased levels of hormones, leaving the immune system weak and jeopardizing the general health of the adrenals.

Adrenal fatigue’s symptoms can be experienced by any person. As everybody is exposed to high levels of stress at least once in their lives, every person is susceptible of adrenal dysfunction. Any critical situation or stressful action can cause high stress, forcing the adrenal glands to produce more hormones in order to maintain a bodily balance, therefore any person can suffer from adrenal fatigue.

The symptoms of adrenal fatigue associated with the inability of adrenal glands to produce the needed amount of hormones include: respiratory illnesses, depression, loss of stamina, low blood pressure, infections, weak immune system, sugar craving, mood swings, dizziness, insomnia, exhaustion, decreased sex appetite, weight fluctuations, anxiety and inability to concentrate. These are just the most notable and common of the symptoms, usually considered indicators of adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal Fatigue and Weight Problems

What exactly is adrenal fatigue in relation with weight loss or gain? First of all, one of the symptoms experienced by sufferers is sugar craving and they tend to perk themselves up with high calorie foods, caffeine, etc., this being marked as weight gain caused by empty calories consumption.

Another argument accounting for the direct connection between adrenal fatigue and weight gain is lack of exercise, as the person suffering from adrenal fatigue is constantly under stress and pressure, there is the tendency of exercising less than usual, preventing the body from converting all those calories into energy. Because the stress is not released by physical effort and exercising, stress eventually builds-up in the body, maintaining this cycle on a continuum.

Low cortisol is often associated with disease states and symptoms, in fact, more than 25% of all stress related disorders, including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or PTSD have been directly connected with low cortisol levels. However, physicians haven’t established by now whether the adrenal glands are responsible for cases of low cortisol. Rather, they suggest it is the central nervous system that fails to transmit proper information to adrenal glands.

In conclusion, restoration of adrenal health is only possible by reversing the adrenal fatigue stages, with the focus being on a healthy diet, adequate rest, regular exercise routine, stress-reducing activities and supplements.

Adrenal fatigue presents as an assortment of symptoms. The syndrome is characterized primarily by a sense of fatigue, general tiredness, and a feeling of being unwell. These symptoms, however, may manifest in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: difficulty falling asleep, difficulty waking in the morning, craving sugar or salt, changes in libido, and depressed mood. Because adrenal fatigue can easily be overlooked by physicians who fail to recognize the cause of these symptoms, sufferers of adrenal fatigue are often forced to endure months or years of the syndrome before obtaining relief. Often that relief is found in theform of supplements, such as B-complex vitamins or cortisol replacement.

Why supplements can help with adrenal fatigue

While the symptoms of adrenal fatigue often seem widespread and difficult to pin down, the syndrome has its basis in a physiological dysfunction of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are glands that secrete hormones and sit above the kidneys. They are often known for their role in the stress response. During a stressor they release chemicals like cortisol and epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) that help the body to mobilize for reacting to the stressful event.

The adrenals are also involved in a number of other physiological functions besides stress. Perhaps the most important is the regulation of kidney function through the secretion of the hormone aldosterone. This hormone helps to regulate the osmolarity of blood plasma, which is essential to the proper functioning of organs throughout the body.

During adrenal fatigue, the adrenal glands’ ability to maintain homeostasis throughout the body is diminished. This often occurs due to overstimulation. Thus, it is common for adrenal fatigue to begin after a serious stressor has occurred in someone’s life, or after they have endured a string of stressful life events. When the adrenal glands functionality is limited, the body begins to lose its ability to manage stress on a daily basis. Kidney function can also be impaired, leading to an imbalance in the osmalarity gradient of the blood. This puts added stress and strain on the body, and eventually all bodily systems are affected by the adrenal dysfunction. Metabolism, electrolyte balance, and the cardiovascular system all may function at an impaired level due to the inability of the adrenal glands to operate at their normal functionality.

The limited adrenal functioning is the reason supplements are a proven benefit to sufferers of adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands are very resilient, and thus the use of supplements in many cases can be enough to restore adrenal function. In some cases, adrenal fatigue can be relieved after only weeks of supplementation. The supplements required to treat adrenal fatigue, however, are harmless enough that patients continue to take them preventatively, to ward off future occurrences.

There are a number of different supplements that can be helpful in treating adrenal fatigue. Since every case of adrenal fatigue may be slightly different (e.g. a different degree of adrenal impairment, different physical symptoms), patients will often use a trial and error method to find the supplement that is most helpful in relieving their symptoms. This has led to the release of several adrenal fatigue formulas, which combine some of the most effective vitamins, herbs, and other preparations.

Supplements for adrenal fatigue fall into several categories, although this list is by no means all-inclusive. Adrenal extracts and hormone replacement supplements utilize either dried adrenal tissue or hormones like cortisol to supply deficient adrenals with the fundamental molecules they need to function. Some commonly supplemented hormones include cortisol, DHEA, and pregnenolone.

Vitamins, like vitamin C or B-complex vitamins can be used to stimulate adrenal response. B vitamins are used as cofactors in adrenal enzyme pathways, and vitamin C stimulates the adrenals as well as improves immune function in general.

Plants and herbs, like licorice and cordyceps, are time-tested remedies for stimulating the activity of the adrenal glands. Cordyceps is a Chinese mushroom that promotes cortisol secretion. Licorice is also used in Chinese medicine, and inhibits the liver’s ability to break down hydrocortisone (which leads to higher blood hydrocortisone levels and less stress on the adrenals to produce more).

Adrenal fatigue is often overlooked by physicians, yet can be a debilitating disorder. It can be treated with supplements, although recognition of the disorder is an important first step. After determining adrenal fatigue is the cause of the fatigue syndrome, supplements are proven to be an effective treatment method.

How To Get Rid of Brain Fog Through Diet

Brain fog is a rather common condition that is often triggered by adrenal fatigue and other medical conditions, such as dementia, hypoglycemia, hormonal imbalances and fibromyalgia. Brain fog causes feelings of mental confusion, disorganization and a decrease in short-term memory.

Is there a diet to improve brain fog?

If we consider the fact that the human brain consumes about one fifth of the body’s energy, then it becomes obvious that the type of food you eat will also affect the function of your brain.

Here are a few simple diet tips on how to improve brain fog:

Reduce your sugar intake

Consuming high amounts of sugar can disrupt brain function and lead to brain fog. This happens because sugar and simple carbohydrates in general, cause blood sugar levels to increase rapidly and then drop, which triggers feelings of tiredness and lack of clarity and concentration. Try to avoid eating sweets, as well as white bread and white pasta.

Consume more omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have many important benefits. They can reduce inflammation in the brain, boost memory and increase concentration. Therefore, it would be a good idea to include foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as tuna, salmon, sardines, walnuts and flaxseed oil in your diet.

Eat enough protein

Protein is essential for the production of the neurotransmitters that regulate the function of the brain. Just try to focus on sources of lean protein, like fish and chicken.

Consume foods rich in vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is a very important vitamin for the brain, because it restores mental clarity. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to confusion and brain fog. Try to increase your intake of foods that contain vitamin B-12, such as fortified breakfast cereals, salmon, beef liver and eggs.

Eat more olive oil

Olive oil can improve memory and improve blood circulation in the brain. Olive oil is rich in vitamin E, which can reduce mental fogginess and eliminate free radicals. The recommended vitamin E dosage is 15 mg, which is contained in a few tablespoons of olive oil.

Diet to Improve Brain Fog: The Foods You Eat Can Really Help

Most people don’t realize that keeping the brain healthy by
eating right is just as important as it is for the rest of the body. A diet to improve brain fog can help you think on your feet and sharpen your skills. There are certain vitamins and other nutrients that are known to help the brain function more smoothly, and when you lack these you may feel fatigued, less alert, and you will probably be forgetful. Below is a list of some of the foods that can help.

- Fish – Omega-3 fatty acids are very important to brain function, and fish is rich in these. One of the main things that the brain’s cell membranes are made of is DHA, a fatty acid. Salmon is one of the kinds of fish that is highest in omega-3s. If you do not like fish, try a fish oil supplement instead.

- Blueberries – Surprisingly, most experts think that these are one of the best foods for the brain. Because of their high antioxidant content they can help with memory loss and function. They have more antioxidants than almost any other common fruit.

- Eggs – Choline is very important for the memory function of your brain, and eggs have tons of it. There was a school of thought for that said that eggs were bad for you because of their cholesterol, but that is starting to change. Their high protein content doesn’t hurt either.

- Spinach – One of the best foods for your brain as far as nutrients per weight is spinach. This super veggie contains antioxidants, potassium, and folate, all of which are good for the brain. Antioxidants can help with memory retention and loss, and folate has shown positive effects in curbing the advancement of Alzheimer’s.

- Chocolate – This is the most fun brain food. While caffeine should be avoided, the positive effects of the flavanols in dark chocolate override this. These flavanols work to increase the flow of blood to the brain, making it run a lot more smoothly.

All of these vitamins and nutrients can be found in supplements, but a diet to improve brain fog and regain your mental sharpness does not need to be expensive. Eating the foods listed above on a regular basis can really have positive effects on your life.

Suffering from Brain Fog? Here are some brain fog remedies that
you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle.

The first thing to do is to step into the outdoors and have some healthy exposure to sunlight! When you do this, you can help in the production of Vitamin D in your body which is responsible in balancing the body’s circadian rhythm; this can also help in the relief of depression which are both related to brain fog.

And while you’re at it, exercise! When you are outdoors, you can jog around the park, walk your dog, do some stretching exercises, go swimming or biking… Indoor exercises will do as well. Exercise can stimulate the production of a feel-good hormone called endorphins which help in managing the symptoms of brain fog. Endorphins aim to provide relief from pain, promote relaxation and help give that sense of well-being.

Another way to help alleviate brain fog symptoms is by engaging in brain exercise. You can do this by trying out brain puzzles that can sharpen your mind. Read. Attend classes that are geared to your interests. Be open to learning new things. These not only sharpen the mind, they are proven to increase IQ levels as well.

You need adequate sleep for the relief of brain fog. To do this, you must set specific times to sleep and wake up.

A deficiency with Vitamin D can cause a lot of brain fog symptoms. Make sure to correct this deficiency by taking supplements and by eating foods which are rich in vitamin B such as chicken, beef, eggs, shellfish, crabs, lobster, liver and fish.

Brain fog is induced by stress and one way that you can address this is by employing relaxation techniques like guided imagery and meditation.

If you are a smoker that is suffering from brain fog, by all means, stop smoking as soon as possible. Cigarettes are known to contain a lot of harmful neurotoxins which constrict the blood vessels which lead to poor circulation throughout the body and especially the brain.

And of course, you will benefit a lot by reducing your exposure to heavy metals. You can do this by avoiding hygiene products and cosmetics that contain aluminium.

With these easy brain fog remedies, surely your symptoms will be lessened to a much more tolerable level.