What is Adrenal Fatigue?
Why even worry about adrenal fatigue? What are the symptoms of adrenal fatigue?With our complex lives in the 21st century, more and more people are suffering from stress-related conditions. The negative impact of stress can affect many areas of health. Adrenal glands can be adversely affected this.
What are adrenal glands?
The adrenal glands are located near the kidneys and produce the hormones that are needed for the body to function properly. Stress adversely affects these glands because, when the body is under severe stress the glands start producing more hormones to help the body cope. This is the classic ‘fight or flight’ response. The main hormone is cortisol, which regulates metabolism and is a response to stress.
In some circumstances, a stress response is needed. However, when stress is experienced over a long period of time, these glands weaken. This negatively affects the body and results in adrenal fatigue.
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
Excessive, unexplained tiredness
Adrenal fatigue makes a person very tired. This is because under stress the hormone levels are elevated. Hence making it harder to sleep. Over time, the body’s cortisol levels are affected and this leads to the body being in an almost permanent state of alertness. All of this can affect the ability for a person to fall asleep or get a good night’s sleep. It could be that a person thinks he is getting enough sleep but still wakes up feeling tired and fatigued.
Cravings for salty or sugary foods
One way that adrenal fatigue affects the body is to lower the blood sugar level. When this happens cravings for energy foods increase and therefore a sufferer will eat more sugary foods. Foods high in sugar are also comfort foods Stress can cause a person to increase the intake of sugar-high foods. Adrenal fatigue can also result in cravings for salty foods. This is because the adrenal glands affect how the kidneys regulate mineral fluctuations. When we suffer from fatigue, the body releases more minerals in the urine. This, in turn, can increase the desire for salty snacks.
Heightened energy in the evenings
An adrenal fatigue sufferer could find that he/she is tired all day but then in the late evening experience a surge of energy. Usually, cortisol reaches a peak in the late morning and then reduces during the day.
Difficulty in handling stress
The normal body’s response to stress is to release specific hormones. This way stress can be handled effectively. The three specific hormones are cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine. Knowing how these affect the body helps us understand the relationship to stress.
What is affected?
Cortisol
Gives the body extra energy to cope with the stress, it increases memory function and lowers sensitivity to pain. However, the body needs a rest period after cortisol has been released in a stress-related situation. If a person is suffering, from adrenal fatigue rarely gets to have the ‘rest period’, over time less and less cortisol is produced.
Adrenaline
Probably the most well-known stress response hormone. This gives us the initial burst of energy needed to respond to stress. Once again, adrenal fatigue will affect the amount of this hormone and therefore the response to stress is reduced.
Norepinephrine
This hormone helps the brain to focus on the stress. Without this active hormone, the response to stress could be described as lethargic.
More infections
Cortisol helps to regulate the immune system in the body and cortisol works as an anti-inflammatory. Too much colorist over an extended period of time hinders the response of the immune system and this results in having more infections. On the other hand, if the adrenal glands are so weakened that they produce too little cortisol then the body’s response is to overreact to infections resulting in certain autoimmune disorders.
What can I do?
Change your food habits
In every case of adrenal recovery, diet is a huge factor. There are a number of foods that support adrenal function. They help replenish your adrenal energy so your system can come back to full health. But first, you must start by removing any hard-to-digest foods and any toxins or chemicals in your environment.
Foods to avoid include
What foods should you avoid?
Caffeine: This can interfere with your sleep cycle and make it hard for your adrenals to recover. If you must drink coffee or a caffeinated beverage, then have a limited amount in the morning before noon.
Sugar and sweeteners: Includes avoiding high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners as well. Avoid sugary foods, cereals, candy, sweets, etc. Be aware that sugar is an additive in many pieces of bread, condiments, and dressings. Also, try to avoid as much extra sugar as possible. Instead, seek the benefits of raw honey or stevia as an alternative.
Processed and microwaved foods: First of all, the microwave has its own dangers, but additionally, most microwaveable foods have many preservatives and fillers that are hard to digest. This can wear out your body’s energy and digestion cycle. Try to buy food on the outer walls of your grocery store and prepare your own food whenever possible.
Hydrogenated oils: Vegetable oils like soybean, canola and corn oil are highly inflammatory and can lead to adrenal inflammation. Try to only use good fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, organic butter or ghee
Foods to add
Coconut
Olives
Avocado
Cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc.)
Fatty fish (e.g., wild-caught salmon)
Chicken and turkey
Nuts, such as walnuts and almonds
Seeds, such as pumpkin, chia, and flax
Kelp and seaweed
Celtic or Himalayan sea salt
Supplements
Another key to overcoming adrenal fatigue is taking the right supplements. I always recommend eating the right foods to heal your body. However, due to soil depletion (from over-farmed and unhealthy farming practices), much of the fruits and vegetables don’t have the same amount of nutrition that they did even 50 years ago. So a whole foods supplements such as Rain Soul is a good avenue to use!
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