The Role Of The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands, just covering the top of the kidneys, play an important role in making and releasing hormones to help the body deal with stress.
The adrenals manufacture and secrete hormones such as cortisol, DHEA, noradrenaline and adrenaline. When we experience unmanaged stress for a long time either emotional or physical then our adrenal glands may not be able to keep up with the constant demand. Adrenal fatigue is a condition in which the adrenal glands have become exhausted from an acute or constant demand upon them.
Peoples bodies deal with stress in different ways. Some find that when they have been stressed over the long-term, they gradually become tired and unable to deal with the stress. Others however, may appear to deal with it well then have more sudden break-down in health .
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.
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BY DR. WILL COLE
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Ashwagandha Sometimes Called Indian Ginseng
Ashwagandha is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for someone suffering from long-term stress that is depleted. This herb also works like an adaptogen and can be utilized at any point during or before a stressful time for support.
Studiesshow it does have anti-stressor effects and supportsadrenalandthyroid function and the immune system andmood. Ashwagandha acts mostly to calm, and can help with sleep but for some, it may be energizing due to its effect on thyroid function.
Dosage 100-300 mg/day.
Try: This herb is part of our Wellena Adrenal TLC.
If youd like to drink your Ashwagandha, here is a simple recipe for an Ashwagandha Latte you can try.
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Time Your Adaptogens Right
Both Nayak and Korn suggest taking stimulating adaptogens, like rhodiola, earlier in the day, before 3 pm, to align with the bodys natural rhythms. We are designed to be live wires in the morning and to rest by early evening, Korn says. It should be noted that the study on the effects of Rhodiola rosea produced inconclusive evidence of its efficacy and further studies are needed in the future.
Calming adaptogens, like holy basil, can be taken both in the daytime and before bed, however. They arent strong enough to have a sedative effect.
You can use adaptogens for a few days or weeks to get through a busy time at work. Or take them for a stretch of chronic chaos, when life just keeps handing it to you. Korn recommends rotating the type of adaptogen youre using after six weeks, though, so that your body can benefit from the subtle differences among herbs.
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Treating Adrenal Fatigue Naturally With Ayurveda
There are various ways of treating adrenal fatigue naturally. Ayurveda prescribes major lifestyle and dietary changes for making a quick recovery. Incorporate habits like walking, swimming, gardening, yoga and meditation.
These habits should become a part of your daily routine and you will feel that it will infuse a positive breath of fresh energy in your body. You should use an optimum mix of ayurveda herbs which can helpt to energize your body and at the same time, balance the malfunctioning of the glands.
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Natural Treatment For Adrenal Fatigue
While there are many herbs and healthy foods that can help you recover from adrenal fatigue, treatment really starts with removing the stressors that are causing it.
Adrenal fatigue comes from chronic stress. As long as the stress is unchanged, the best remedies will only do so much.
Things like strenuous exercise, working long hours, and constant emotional stress all contribute to adrenal fatigue.
However, there are many natural ways to recover, including using herbs.
Here are the best herbs for adrenal fatigue, plus other natural treatments to consider.
Medical Treatments Of Adrenal Fatigue
Typically, doctors initiate medical treatment when derangement of hormonal levels occurs, such as in Addisons disease.
The most common treatment of Addisons disease is the replacement of the depleting hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
Hydrocortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone, or methylprednisolone replaces cortisol.
Fludrocortisone treatment replaces aldosterone, which normalizes blood pressure.Aaron Michels , Nicole Michels , Addison disease: early detection and treatment principles,Am Fam Physician. 2014
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Get Free Help With Your Adrenal Fatigue
If youre experiencing fatigue, Id like to invite you to apply for one of my free MORE ENERGY EVERY DAY Breakthrough Sessions.
For a limited time Im offering a few of these free sessions each week to help you get really clear on what you want for your health, what has been standing in your way and the crucial next steps to get yourself there.
A Natural Guide To Treating Your Adrenal Fatigue
How stressful would you rate a normal day for you? If youre the kind of person who is always go-go-go and struggles to turn off the stress switch you may be on the road to adrenal fatigue.
Four out of five people have some degree of adrenal fatigue. But instead of addressing their fatigue, most people cover it up with stimulants like coffee, tea, soft drinks, sugar and cigarettes.
The good news is there is a lot you can do to manage adrenal fatigue naturally so let me take you through our guide on what it is, how to spot it and what you can do to heal yourself.
So what causes adrenal fatigue?
In short intense and prolonged stress and fatigue that is not relieved by sleep.
Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and work to help you cope with all types of stress by releasing hormones into your system.
If you are constantly or repeatedly stressed without sufficient time to recover, you may deplete your bodys reserves of these hormones, resulting in adrenal fatigue.
It doesnt matter what type of stress you are going through , all stress has a cumulative effect and can cause adrenal fatigue.
10 signs you may have adrenal fatigue:
If you are experiencing more than three of these symptoms, you may have adrenal fatigue.
Here are our top 5 tips for healing adrenal fatigue naturally:
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How Do Herbs Help Adrenal Fatigue
Luckily, certain herbs have properties that can help support your adrenals and keep stress under control.
Many of these herbs are referred to as adaptogens. They help adrenal fatigue by increasing your bodys ability to adapt to stress through increasing mental and physical endurance. They also protect your cells from the damaging effects of too much stress.
Studies show that adaptogens help increase resistance to external toxins as well as boost immunity and protect your brain from free radical damage brought on by excess stress. The molecules in many adaptogens also have a similar structure to compounds that help inactivate your fight-or-flight system the one thats active during times of stress.
Other herbs on this list work as mild sedatives to help calm your nervous system, which can help give your adrenals a break from constant stress. You can use these with adaptogen herbs for a combined effect.
Adrenal Fatigue Vs Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal fatigue is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency when adrenal function declines when it is overworked.
There are two primary types of adrenal insufficiency:
- Primary adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addisons disease, occurs due to the failure of the adrenal glands to produce sufficient amounts of adrenal hormones. Causes of Addisons disease include autoimmune diseases, infections, cancer, or inherited disorders.
- Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce sufficient amounts of ACTH to stimulate the adrenal glands .
Symptoms of adrenal fatigue are similar to adrenal insufficiency, therefore, it is challenging to distinguish between these two conditions clinically.
However, abnormal test results such as blood concentration measurement or saliva testing of hormones will indicate adrenal insufficiency. Hormonal levels in adrenal fatigue may be within normal limits.R D Siegel , J Melby, Fatigue: the role of adrenal insufficiency, Hosp Pract . 1994Irina Bancos, Stefanie Hahner, Jeremy Tomlinson, Wiebke Arlt , Diagnosis and management of adrenal insufficiency, Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015Nada Younes, Isabelle Bourdeau, Andre Lacroix, Latent Adrenal Insufficiency: From Concept to Diagnosis, Front Endocrinol . 2021
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What Is Adrenal Fatigue Steps To Overcome It Naturally
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Did you know that chronic stress can affect your bodys ability to recuperate from physical, mental or emotional stress? This is likely why most people have dealt with adrenal fatigue at some point in their lives.
Many proponents of this condition estimate that almost every person can experience adrenal fatigue, also known as hypoadrenia, to some degree at a particularly stressful point in his or her life.
Because the adrenals influence many parts of the body, symptoms of adrenal fatigue can mimic a number of disorders and isnt always easily recognizable.
Adrenal fatigue symptoms, like brain fog, moodiness and trouble sleeping, can be indicative of many disorders and are often overlooked by doctors. But more and more people are starting to realize that a combination of these health issues often indicate the onset of adrenal fatigue.
If you have adrenal fatigue, it can have significant effects on your overall health. Luckily, you can improve this common issue naturally by focusing on your nutrient intake and lifestyle choices.
What Are The Adrenal Glands Anyway
The adrenal glands are a pair of walnut-sized and roughly pyramid-shaped endocrine organs that rest atop the kidneys. They are perhaps best known for their secretion of familiar hormones associated with the bodys stress response.
The primary purpose of the adrenal glands is, indeed, to help us cope with stress in all its many forms. 1 But the adrenals actually do far more than that, and are, in fact, responsible for producing and secreting a wide range of hormones.
Consider this: as we age, the adrenal glands eventually become the primary source of sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in both men and women. 2
Remarkably, hormones travel everywhere in the body, so the adrenal glands influence literally every organ and tissue, as well as our mental and emotional experience. 3
Its no surprise then, that when extra strain is placed on the adrenal glands, it can have a very real impact, not only on our capacity to cope with stress, but on our overall health and wellness.
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Other Hormones Are Affected By Stress
The body is intricately connected, and hormones, as messengers, influence each other. It takes a shift of just a few milligrams for a hormone to drastically affect the way the body works. Thus, hormone balance is crucial for the bodys health.
Eventually, stress will affect not only the adrenal glands, but will also imbalance the digestive system, the immune system, the reproductive system, and the growth and healing of the cells. That is why women who experience unmanaged stress have menstrual issues, infertility, or difficult menopause. That is why our digestion suffers, and many people put on weight because of compromised digestive ability and metabolism . Kids who are stressed in school tend to have colds and sniffles very often, or unexplained allergies.
Adrenal Fatigue In Women
Women are more likely to suffer from adrenal fatigue. This is because they have to deal with a lot of responsibility and traumatic events as they constantly try to meet the expectations of others as creators, nurturers, and multi-taskers.
Feminine energy is not compatible with the stressful, fast-paced energy of our current lifestyle. As a result of which it gets depleted with time if stressors are not removed.
Also, the menstrual cycle can cause hormonal fluctuations that make women more vulnerable to adrenal fatigue. Additionally, women are more prone to eat less, hence be under nourished and internalize stress more than men.
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What Are Adaptogenic Herbs
Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms that help balance and restore the body.* Some adaptogens act to stimulate the body and enhance mental performance, while others help calm the body and soothe the adrenals.*Adaptogens can also support the body’s natural circadian rhythm and help promote more restful sleep.*Adaptogenic herbs can fit easily into your daily routine. You can take adaptogens as a pill with Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health® Daily Support Liquid Phyto-Caps®, or you can use an herbal powder such as Gaia Herbs Everyday Adaptogen and blend them into your morning smoothie.You can also use the powder to make an energy-boosting caffeine-free snack or even add the powder to a nourishing night time tea.
The Three Stages Of Adrenal Fatigue
There are three stages of adrenal fatigue:
Stage 1
Your cortisol levels are always too high. Many people in this stage have a lot of energy and can burn the candle at both ends. For some however, there may be symptoms such as feeling tired, brain fog and having difficulty concentrating.
Stage 2
If you dont make any changes to your diet or lifestyle, youll enter stage 2 eventually. Your cortisol levels will begin to fall as well, causing you to become tired and experience other symptoms such as muscle weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
Stage 3
At this point, your cortisol levels are typically too low and your adrenals are exhausted. Youll probably feel tired and have no energy to accomplish the daily chores. Adrenal issues further lead to multiple hormone imbalance symptoms that affect your periods, skin, hair and fertility.
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Top 7 Herbs For Adrenal Fatigue
Feeling tired, stressed or burnt out? Dont feel like you have the energy that you want to have? It could be a result of adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands become overstressed and overworked, and it can lead to numerous health symptoms, especially symptoms of fatigue, exhaustion, and brain fog.
Tips To Deal With Adrenal Fatigue
Slow down, take a break. Those symptoms are an overtaxed and overworked endocrine system screaming for a break. The first step toward healing is to stop overexerting yourself with work or trying to meet everyones expectations. Rather than obsessing about perfection and goal completion, start making room for imperfections this will help a great deal in simplifying your life.
Relax body and mind. Meditation is a tonic to the nervous system it melts away accumulated stress and brings deep relaxation which helps in recharging all the bodily functions. Yoga nidra is a profound relaxation technique that effectively regulates the prana and rejuvenates the mind and body in just a few minutes.
Pranayama: Harvest the Power of the Breath. Certain breathing techniques like Nadi Shodhana Pranayama help clear the energy channels that get blocked because of stress, unhealthy lifestyle as well as physical or mental trauma. This improves the flow of prana in the entire body and rekindle the bodys selfhealing mechanism. It not only balances the right and the left hemispheres of the brain, but is effective in bringing a balance in the autonomic nervous system. Bhramari pranayam is yet another gem of a breathing practice that improves the functioning of adrenal glands. Ujjayi pranayam stimulates the vagus nerve which is the heart of the parasympathetic nervous system it calms the mind and brings an immense sense of relaxation.
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Ayurvedic Support For Chronic Stress And Fatigue
In our culture of immediate gratification, weve been conditioned to reach for a stimulant to boost energy when were fatigued,
Dark chocolate, 5-Hour Energy, or a cup of coffee are commonly used to battle waves of tiredness and fatigue.
In a June 2021 study, published in Nutritional Neuroscience, researchers found that high coffee consumption was associated with an increased risk of dementia and decreased brain volume. In the largest study of its kind, 398,646 coffee drinkers were evaluated and 17,702 were given MRIs. Of the participants, who ranged from ages 37-73, those who drank more than 6 cups of coffee a day had a 53% increased risk of dementia.
Ayurveda has long warned about the long-term risks of stimulants like coffee.
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These stimulants may offer temporary relief, but, in reality, are only driving the already exhausted adrenals to scramble for energy they dont really have. In short order, the body finds itself deeper into a state of exhaustion and energy debt.
Sadly, the same approach has been adopted by both Western and natural medicine systems. If you tell your doctor youre tired, you are prescribed a stimulating drug or herb to mitigate your symptoms. Such stimulants rarely address the underlying cause of fatigue and typically drive the body into a state of chronic exhaustion.
