A Weakened Immune System
Cortisol has an anti-inflammatory effect that helps to regulate your immune system. Inflammation is often simply a sign that your body is fighting an infection, but cortisol prevents this reaction from getting out of control. Maintaining a balanced cortisol level not too low and not too high is an important part of our health.
If stress is causing your cortisol levels to be elevated, this anti-inflammatory effect becomes too strong. This effectively stops your immune system from working as it should, and this weakened state can last for the duration of whatever is causing the stress. Without a properly functioning immune system, you become vulnerable to disease. Conversely, a lower level of cortisol allows your immune system to over-react to pathogens. This can lead to chronic inflammation and a number of respiratory or auto-immune diseases.
So what does this mean for Adrenal Fatigue sufferers? It depends on which stage of the condition you have reached. In the early stages, consistently high levels of cortisol suppress your immune response and leave you vulnerable to infection. In the later stages of Adrenal Fatigue, low levels of cortisol can lead to chronic inflammation, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. Neither is a good outcome, and so your Adrenal Fatigue treatment should focus on restoring cortisol to a sustainable, balanced level.
Adrenal Fatigue And Lysine Supplementation
Scientific studies that directly assess the effects of lysine supplementation for healing AFS have yet to be done. However, there is no question that a diet high in essential nutrients like lysine has been an important part of the healing process for people who have recovered from adrenal fatigue because of its work on the neuroaffective circuit and the nervous systems.
There are, however, a number of studies that have shown that lysine supplements reduce anxiety in both animals and humans. Lower anxiety and stress levels is vital for restoring good adrenal function. The benefits of lysine for healing AFS are in this essential amino acids ability to increase serotonin which leads to a greater sense of wellbeing and relaxation and thereby puts a lower demand on the recovering adrenal glands. Unfortunately, those who suffer from advanced stages of AFS may experience paradoxical reaction. In other words, instead of feeling relaxed, more anxiety is felt instead. Always consult an adrenal fatigue literate physician prior to taking lysine if you are weak or sensitive.
Pantothenic Acid Vs B
Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin with three important metabolic functions: it serves as an essential part of coenzyme A to allow for oxidation reactions acts as a precursor to CoA, which joins acetyl groups from AcetylCoA or beta-keto acids together into choline, pristanate, crotonine or adipate and assists lipases in synthesizing fatty acids.
Pantothenic Acid vs Vitamin B Pantethinics are more effective than Vitamins B because they can cross the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier protects the brain from bacteria and viruses while allowing vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to pass through to the brain.
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Start Healing Adrenal Fatigue Today
Now that you know more about the foods to enjoy and the foods to avoid, are you ready to start healing adrenal fatigue?
All of these foods are great options to incorporate alongside other treatment approaches to help you minimize your symptoms, balance your body, and start feeling your best. You may need additional support to get to the root of your condition and find long-term healing, though.
If you want to learn more about adrenal fatigue and how to manage it, were here for you at Thrive Wellness Center. Contact us today for more information on our services or to schedule an appointment for a consultation.
Tests Used For Diagnostic Purposes
There are three different categories of diagnostic criteria:
- Genetic testing of mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA
- Metabolic markers of blood, urine and cerebral spinal fluid
- Muscle testing assessing liver respirometry, CoQ levels, and muscle pathology
Diagnosis is considered positive if two or more tests from two categories show abnormal results.
Defective mitochondria produce large quantities of oxygen free radicals. Comparing patients who have a mitochondrial disorder with healthy people, researchers have found that their blood glutathione level was significantly reduced in white blood cells from mitochondrial diseased patients. This indicates a low level of antioxidant defenses. Measuring blood glutathione levels can be used as a biomarker to monitor mitochondrial disorders or adrenal gland diseases.
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Foods To Eat And Avoid
There are a few superfoods that all of us with Adrenal Fatigue should eat . But I also want to lay out some general guidelines on which proteins, fats and carbohydrates we should be eating.
Eating less sugar is a great first step. Excess sugar needs to be controlled by cortisol, so when you eat too much sugar you are indirectly taxing your adrenal glands. Additionally, the crashes that follow a spike in blood sugar inevitably lead to sugar cravings, and perhaps even the use of stimulants like coffee to counterbalance the fatigue. Either way, excess sugar is bad news for Adrenal Fatigue sufferers.
You should be aware that sugary snacks and fast food are not the only source of excess sugar items like fruit juices are also high sugar foods. Better sources of carbohydrate include vegetables, beans and whole, sprouted grains like wild rice or quinoa. Low sugar fruits can also be a great option.
A Holistic Approach To Correcting Thyroid Problems And Restoring Function
Thyroid hormone receptors are affected by our diet and our exposure to Halogens like flouride , Chlorine, Bromine and Astatine or it’s Isotope Radon. The halogens compete with Iodine for the receptor. Thyroid hormone production needs a healthy dose of selenium and zinc, and we need a healthy liver to convert T4 to its active hormone T3. The approach to thyroid imbalance is a clear example of the need to uncover the root cause of the problem.
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Why Supplements Alone Arent The Cure
Adrenal fatigue supplements alone will not cure you.
Im not saying supplements arent important I believe they have their place. But supplements and vitamins wont cure adrenal fatigue.
You need to uncover the underlying or root cause. The most common root causes of adrenal fatigue are:
These three areas blood sugar, sleep, and inflammation are the other levels in your pyramid. Before you add vitamins for adrenal fatigue, make sure you address each one.
To clarify if you are having problems with blood sugar, inflammation or sleep, supplements are NOT going to help.
Simple Steps To Go From Adrenal Fatigue To A Fasting Lifestyle
RESOURCES
- Dr. Mindys Facebook Page:
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STUDIES
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Is Adrenal Fatigue A Myth
Adrenal fatigue is a term coined by naturopath and chiropractor James Wilson in 1998, and is a popular catch-phrase for symptoms sustained during prolonged periods of physical, mental, and emotional stress. It’s important to note, however, that while adrenal fatigue is recognized as a diagnosis in certain alternative wellness circles, such as by functional medicine practitioners, it doesn’t get the same respect from the traditional medical establishment.
In fact, the Endocrine Society’s official position on adrenal fatigue is as follows: “No scientific proof exists to support adrenal fatigue as a true medical condition. Doctors are concerned that if you are told you have this condition, the real cause of your symptoms may not be found and treated correctly. Also, treatment for adrenal fatigue may be expensive, since insurance companies are unlikely to cover the costs.”
Magnesium Both The Adrenal Spark Plug And Calming Agent
Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system and is also required for energy production. In the first phase, when there is adrenal overproduction, when you are tired and wired, a magnesium chelate would be a good form to use. Glycine is a calming amino acid and is the best choice for a chelate because it is the smallest amino acid giving it the greatest absorption potential.
This form of magnesium allows for larger amounts of magnesium to be absorbed more quickly and be better retained by the body, as compared to other forms.
Glycine magnesium delivers 8.9 mg of magnesium per 100 mg of the product that is chelated with 55 mg glycine.
Try: Wellena Magnesium Replenish, a highly absorbable form of magnesium chelated to two molecules of the amino acid glycine.
This very stable form of magnesium should not cause gastrointestinal symptoms and is less likely to be stimulating, like the malate form for some.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzyme reactions in the body and is found to be increasingly deficient in our diets. Start with 100 mg and try to work up to 100 mg three times per day. Sometimes this form of magnesium will also loosen bowels so stop at that dose when it happens.
To read more about how to boost magnesium for hormone-balancing here is one of my most popular articles.
To learn more about how to balance your hormones with supplements , you can download our FREE Supplement Guide here.
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Vitamin C Replenishes Adrenal Function
The adrenal glands are rich in vitamin C which is used to produce all the adrenal hormones, most importantly cortisol. As stress begins and continues, vitamin C is used rapidly by the adrenal glands to make cortisol. As vitamin C is depleted, adrenal function declines and the only way to replenish these stores is to eat a diet rich in vitamin C and to supplement. In times of adrenal fatigue, getting a therapeutic level of vitamin C is usually necessary and this would be time for supplementation.
The dosage of vitamin C is to bowel tolerance, so start with 100 mg/day and work your way up to the dosage where you bowel moves.
What Is An Adrenal Fatigue Diet
An adrenal fatigue diet helps reduce strain on your adrenal glands. The right foods for adrenal fatigue naturally increase your bodys energy levels so that stored nutrients are not burned through too quickly.
When you add foods for adrenal fatigue to your diet, youll likely experience:
- Healthy blood pressure levels
- Added healthy nutrients for your body
- Improved performance of your adrenal glands
Like many healthy diets, an adrenal fatigue diet should include vegetables, whole grains, and lots of extra protein.
While there hasnt been too much official research on an adrenal fatigue diet, adjusting your diet to boost nutrient levels is always a good idea. Healthier habits can give your mental and physical health a boost!
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What Does Adrenal Fatigue Mean
Adrenal fatigue is a condition that usually results from a long period of chronic stress. Over time, this stress taxes the adrenal glands and HPA axis, thereby disrupting the production of cortisol and other hormones. The body initially produces large amounts of cortisol to cope with the stressors, but eventually cortisol levels drop. The cortisol cycle can also become dysregulated, with irregular peaks in the evening.
Adrenal fatigue has been a relatively controversial condition for several reasons. One important reason is the early focus on the adrenal glands becoming tired. We now know that adrenal fatigue and burnout tend to present themselves in the dysregulation of the HPA axis and disturbances in the cortisol cycle.
Give Functional Medicine A Try
Depending on your individual brain-adrenal dysfunction, you may need to work with a qualified practitioner to assess your condition and carefully replace a small portion of the levels of the missing adrenal hormones for a period of time. Thats where functional medicine comes in. Specific amounts of DHEA and the precursor to cortisol, called pregnenolone, can stimulate your body to begin producing it naturally, but you need professional guidance to determine how much and how often.
As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
Our articles may include products that have been independently chosen and recommended by Dr. Will Cole and our editors. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.
BY DR. WILL COLE
Evidence-based reviewed article
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Fish Oil For Easing Mental Stress
Omega 3 fatty acidsresearch has shown it may help support adrenal health by easing the bodys response to mental stress. Fish oil is anti-inflammatory and supports cell fluidity which is important for healthy communication between cells. As catecholamines, cortisol, insulin, and other hormones are being overproduced during stress, cells will begin to get numb or deaf to these messages from overexposure.
As the cell becomes more resistant, the body does not respond to the messages resulting in fatigue, insulin resistance, inflammation and poor immune health. Fish oil can resensitize these receptors and support these chemical pathways in the body.
Take a high potency fish oil delivered in the natural triglyceride form. Take 800-1000 mg each of EPA and DHA. Look on the back of the label to see each of these listed out, dont pay attention to the 1000 mg listed on the front of most labels.
Only use fish oil products that are molecularly distilled and filtered to ensure purity and to maximize the removal of heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, PCBs, and other contaminants.
To make it easier for you, I have also created the Adrenal Repair Kit which consists of all the critical vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Getting the Kit will also save you 15% as compared to getting the single products.
How Do The Adrenals Become Fatigued
The adrenals are working for us day and night to help keep balance in the body. Cortisol, is released throughout the day in bursts and patterns driven by eating and activity as well as daylight and darkness . At different times in the day, different amounts of cortisol are released.
In the morning there is a spike of cortisol release, our greatest amount for the day. This is a signal to our bodies to get up, eat something and start our day. Cortisol starts to drop after we eat in the morning and into the afternoon and finally is at its lowest point in the evening signaling us to settle down and go to bed. The normal cortisol rhythm is interrupted when there is more exposure to stress. Our sympathetic nervous system overrides the normal pattern and stimulates more cortisol to be released. Stress can include anything such as:
- Emotional or mental stress
- Environmental stress- toxins, chemicals, etc
- Food- especially processed food, sugars, caffeine
- Exercise- Yes exercise! Especially at high intensities
When there is stress, the adrenals have to work harder to bring the body back into balance. This ability to respond to our outside environment is crucial to survival. Some stress is good for us. It signifies us to react, adapt and allows us to push our bodies and become stronger.
If stress is extreme or experienced for a continual amount of time, this is whenwe start to see issues like immune depression, inflammation increase, and adrenalinsufficiency.
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Top 7 Adrenal Support Supplements
When indicated, adaptogens, a type of herbal dietary supplement, can be used to improve resistance to stress and balance cortisol levels. Adaptogens, such as Withania somnifera, Rhodiola rosea, and Panax ginseng, have been shown to play a role in the regulation of the HPA axis as well as improve mental work capacity and tolerance to mental fatigue during periods of stress. Additionally, certain nutrients, such as vitamin C, and magnesium, may play a role in adrenal health.
What Should You Eat If You Have Adrenal Fatigue
I strongly recommend the paleo or keto diet to all of my patients. However, if you dont have the energy to change your diet, do this one thing:
Eat real food.
If your food comes in a bag or box, dont eat it. If your food doesnt rot, dont eat it. Follow this rule and youll be 80% of the way towards a diet that helps you beat adrenal fatigue.
Now, if youre eating real food and it doesnt seem to help your energy levels, check out my digital course Stop Feeding Fatigue. In this course, I help you identify exactly which foods give you energy and which foods take it away. By the end of the course, youll have identified your very own adrenal fatigue fighting nutrition plan.
Next, well discuss the most important vitamins and minerals needed to overcome adrenal fatigue!
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