Do you have symptoms like lack of energy, exhaustion, moodiness, feeling stressed out, and brain fog? Thank goodness there is a solution!
These symptoms may be the end result of Adrenal Fatigue. Because of going through an extremely difficult situation in your life, loss of a loved one, or simply being overworked. In other words, your system is looking for a breather, a way out. As if it were telling you please slow down and nourish me. The adrenal glands take a toll on your body from not being able to adapt to the stresses that are going on in your life. Adrenal glands are endocrine glands that sit at the top of the kidneys. They are responsible for the production of many hormones and neurotransmitters, such as cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine. All can affect your stress level, greatly.
Personal Experience
In my personal experience, my Adrenal Glands started working less efficiently after about 5 years of trying to keep being strong for my dear husband since he has had chronic back pain since he broke his back about 15 years ago. This kind of stress really takes a toll on one’s body. Therefore the need to strengthen your Adrenal Gland.
Chronic Stress Results:
1. Overproduction of cortisol may cause:
Weight gain
Depression
Blood sugar problems
2. Too much adrenaline:
Insomnia,
Panic attacks
Anxiety
Perhaps weight loss.
Some people lose weight while others gain during stressful periods.
3. Too much noradrenaline (also called norepinephrine) can cause:
High blood pressure
Nervousness
Heart palpitations
Headaches
4. Unbalance of dopamine affects:
Alertness
Concentration level
Creativity
Insomnia
Inability to concentrate
Weight gain
These hormones and neurotransmitters coming from the adrenal glands need to be in the right balance with each other. In order to jump-start the body and bring them into balance. How? Nourish, strengthen the adrenal glands! Given the proper nutrients, as well as abundant rest, the adrenal glands can continue to work as hard as they used to.
Strengthen your Adrenal Glands with Supplements:
1. Vitamin C
Your body uses vitamin C to produce cortisol. When vitamin C is all used up, the body panics, in a sense, and ironically tries to create more cortisol to calm the situation. The adrenal glands then get stuck in a cycle of exhaustion due to creating something for which they don’t have the ingredients.
Whole vitamin C supplement (not just ascorbic acid) is critical to recovery. Large quantities of natural vitamin C can be found in leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach, and citruses, such as oranges or grapefruit. You can safely self prescribe up to 2000 mg a day but it’s best to start with 500 mg and increase the dosage over a few weeks to a month. You may find that you feel better with just 1000 mg or 1500 mg, so try to monitor how you feel as you slowly increase your dosage.
It’s also better to take smaller doses more regularly for cell saturation. If you can, take the vitamin C throughout the day in smaller doses of around 300 mg, rather than taking a whole 1000 mg dose all at once. Or if you are taking a 2000 mg dose, split it into 4 doses if possible. Another trick I often recommend and I love is to put the vitamin C in your drinking water. You can just add your dosage to a 1.5-liter water bottle so you get the benefits of it throughout the entire day. It makes it easier to take as well because remembering to take 4 doses can be a real hassle.
2. Himalayan Sea Salt
Sea salt has 84 trace minerals that your adrenal glands desperately need. Sodium is crucial to the functioning of the adrenals. Take 1 teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of water each morning. Make sure you purchase unrefined salt such as Himalayan Sea Salt. It is very important to use this form of salt on a daily basis. The table salt that we normally use has been stripped off of iodine and magnesium to name a couple of minerals. You can also use it as you would use regular salt in your meals.
3. Magnesium
An imbalance in magnesium creates a huge problem for the nervous system. Dose yourself 3 mg times your body weight. A 100 lb. women should be taking 300 mg of magnesium daily. Benefits:
Magnesium is involved in over 300 processes in the body. A lack of magnesium leads to more stress on the body and overworks the adrenal glands. You can obtain magnesium through a supplement such as magnesium malate or lactate and through foods such as green vegetables and black beans.
- Stress and anxiety relief
- Relaxation
- Improves sleep
4. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it basically adapts to your body’s need and also allows you to be more adaptable to your circumstances. It aids in stress relief, anti-anxiety, adrenal, thyroid, and mood support also balances cortisol in your system. So someone who has too much cortisol can benefit from it just as much as someone with too little.
5. B Complex
B vitamins are also produced by your adrenal glands and are critical for nervous system health. Vitamins B5 (Pantothenic Acid) and B12, in particular, are often lacking in adrenal fatigue patients. Both of these can be taken in the form of an oral supplement and are also found in many foods such as eggs, whole grains, meats, and nuts.
6. Astragalus
Astragalus is somewhat of a legendary plant in China. The Chinese have used it for its medicinal properties for over 2,000 years. It is one of the most popular tonic herbs in Chinese medicine. Its name “Huang qi” means “yellow leader” because it’s classified as a superior tonic. It was first mentioned in the Chinese classic “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing”, a 2,000-year-old Chinese medicine book.
Astragalus is classified as an adaptogen. This means that it protects the body from stresses of all kinds and brings the body back into balance. The root contains Polysaccharides which are very beneficial to the immune system. Astragalus is a herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and Wild Oregon has found the best. Astragalus is believed to have a range of health benefits, including boosting the immune system.
Some of the potential benefits of astragalus for immune support include:
Enhancing the activity of white blood cells: Astragalus has been shown to stimulate the production of white blood cells, which play a crucial role in the immune system’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.
Reducing inflammation: Astragalus contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation, which can weaken the immune system and make it more prone to illness. Increasing antioxidant activity: Astragalus has high levels of antioxidants, which can help protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals and boost immune function. Promoting the healing of wounds: Astragalus may help speed up the healing process of wounds and improve immune function in people with chronic illnesses and so on.
I’ve tried many many many Astragalus products but this one made me feel the best, has a “sweet” smell and taste (as Astragalus should) and is clean! Highly recommend.
Benefits:
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- Protects from Stress
- Supports Cardiovascular Health
- Supports the Immune System
- Anti-Oxidant
- Anti-Allergenic
- Ant-Aging Properties
- Brain protection
- Natural Detoxification
- Energy Boosting
- Digestive System assistance
- Minimizes Urinary Tract Risk
- Cholesterol Management – Minimizes the absorption of fat in our intestines as it detoxifies.
- Calms inflammation
- Fights Diabetes
- Reduces Chemotherapy side-effects.
7. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a versatile and readily available adaptogenic succulent, that’s been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine. It’s health benefits have been well-studied. Rhodiola has been used to treat stress and anxiety but it also offers a range of other health benefits such as increased mental stamina and physical endurance, immune support, and heart health. You can find Rhodiola in powder, capsule, or tea form.
In my case when my father was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in his life and seeing him suffer through this for about 2 years and finally passing away last October, again my Adrenal Glands were in need of serious help. This kind of stress and extreme sadness eats you up. Among other things Rhodiola was one of the supplements that are helping me pull through this sad and troublesome time in my life.
Benefits
As always, ask your doctor to see which and if any of these supplements are something you would benefit from.
Medical Disclaimer: INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE TREATED AS MEDICAL, ALTERNATIVE, NATURAL HEALTH ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR A PROFESSIONAL DIAGNOSIS OR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL, ALTERNATIVE NATURAL HEALTH TREATMENT OR ADVICE.
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