How Long Should I Take Dr Wilsons Adrenal Fatigue Program
If you are following the Severe version of Dr. Wilsons Programs for Adrenal Fatigue and Stress we suggest you continue for a minimum of 6 months to 2 years before starting the supplement reduction schedule outlined below. If you are following his Moderate or Mild program, you can begin cutting back gradually once you have been feeling good for at least 6 weeks straight.
3 Adrenal C Formula and MagnesiumorPeople using the Mild programPeople using the Moderate programPeople using the Severe program
What Are Adrenal Extracts
The glands of animals like cows and pigs are gathered from slaughterhouses and made into adrenal extracts. Extracts are made either from the whole gland or just the outer parts. The main active ingredient in the extract is the hormone hydrocortisone.
In the early twentieth century, adrenal extracts were used for a variety of purposes, and were mostly available as an injection. Along with Addisons disease, they were used to treat:
- surgical shock
- asthma
As other medications were developed, they mostly fell out of use.
Today, adrenal extract is available only in pill form. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration barred imported adrenal extract in 1989. In 1996, it recalled injectable extracts.
It also issued public warnings against the use of adrenal extract after discovering that more than 80 people developed infections from contaminated products.
The FDA regulates dietary supplements differently than they do drugs. The FDA does not review these products for safety and efficacy before they are marketed. They receive reports of adverse reactions and can take supplements off the market if found unsafe or sold with misleading claims.
Why Some Adrenal Fatigue Supplements Make You Feel Worse
I strongly advise you to avoid treating adrenal fatigue on your own. Work with a knowledgeable functional medicine practitioner his/her advice is invaluable.
I dont make this recommendation to get more patients. I make this recommendation because properly treating adrenal fatigue can be tricky. Ive written at length about why testing for adrenal fatigue is almost always done wrong. When the testing is wrong, the treatment is wrong.
Adrenal fatigue describes a condition of low cortisol. In medical lingo, this is known as hypocortisolism. But your body can also create too much cortisol. This is known as hypercortisolism. And hypercortisolism and hypocortisolism have very similar symptoms.
However, treatments for hypercortisolism and hypocortisolism are vastly different. In fact, this could be the reason why you feel worse whenever you try to treat your adrenal fatigue.
Some supplements raise cortisol levels. Other supplements help to lower cortisol levels. If you have adrenal fatigue and you take supplements that lower cortisol levels, youre going to feel worse.
If you have high cortisol levels and take supplements that raise cortisol, youre going to feel worse. This is why working with a knowledgeable practitioner is so important.
If there are no practitioners in your area or if youre unsure if your cortisol levels are high or low, opt for adaptogenic herbs.
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How To Finally Overcome Adrenal Fatigue
I want to be clear, you cannot supplement yourself out of adrenal fatigue.
You need to identify and treat the underlying or root cause. Only then will supplementation be effective. To overcome adrenal fatigue for good the best place to start is with the food you eat. Check out my online course to help you identify exactly which foods you should be eating to overcome fatigue!
Now, I want to hear from you.
What supplements have you found helpful in treating adrenal fatigue?
What supplements made your symptoms worse?
Leave your answers in the comments section below!
The Best Supplements For Adrenal Fatigue
In an ideal world, wed get all the nutrients we need to restore adrenal health from a well-balanced diet. However, adaptogenic herbs arent typically part of everyday foods, and no matter how well we eat, a stressful day can really burn through all our nutrient stockpiles. The best supplements for adrenal fatigue are those formulated to address fatigue and stress symptoms by delivering key nutrients in therapeutic amounts.
Adaptisol is formulated with the adaptogenic herbs astragulus, eleuthero, cordyceps and rhodioloa to address symptoms of adrenal fatigue and restore energy levels. Adaptisol aids the bodys natural ability to adapt to stress, enhances mental clarity, and supports healthy immune function.
Adaptogens help to protect the body from the effects of excess cortisol and prevent cortisol overproduction in the first place. Adaptisol is designed for women whose symptoms cluster around the tired” end of the adrenal spectrum, including extreme fatigue, brain fog, lack of focus, mood changes and weight gain.
Serinisol is formulated with minerals and natural adaptogenic compounds to restore your calm and ease sleep disruptions. When stress is ongoing, cortisol does not return to normal levels as intended and instead can stay high for long periods. This will affect your body negatively, leading to symptoms like anxiety, sleeplessness and impaired memory.
Recommended Reading: Herbal Remedies For Adrenal Fatigue
Who Should Take Adrenal Support Supplements
If you suffer from fatigue, high stress, or brain fog, you might start to wonder whether adrenal supplements can help you get control. Learn some common signs that you might benefit from adrenal support and what to look for in a good supplement for the adrenals.
Adrenal imbalance effects are a sign that your body cannot cope any longer. By nourishing the adrenals and finding ways to lower your stress naturally, you may protect your mental health and prevent serious health problems.
What Is Adrenal Exhaustion
Damage and disease are the main causes for adrenal glands not working properly. For example, Addisons disease occurs when damage to the adrenal glands causes them to produce less cortisol and aldosterone than you need.
However, some also identify the chronic stress of modern life as the culprit for poorly functioning adrenal glands.
The theory is that constant overstimulation of the adrenal medulla causes it to become fatigued . This prevents it from working at full capacity. Some suggest using adrenal extracts as a therapy.
Advocates also claim that the extracts can help boost the immune system and supply other necessary hormones. There is no evidence to support their use.
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Chronic Stress And Adrenal Function
While the stress response is healthy and necessary to overcome an acute stressor or threat, research shows that chronic exposure to stress may result in excessive cortisol secretion by the adrenal glands over a long period of time.
Signs and symptoms of high cortisol include:
- Acne and hirsutism in females
- Reduced immune function and prolonged recovery time
Patients with elevated cortisol also have a higher risk of developing osteopenia, osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes.
Continued exposure to stress and overstimulation of cortisol secretion will eventually result in cortisol dysfunction, which may present in a number of ways, including impaired cortisol secretion, insufficient free cortisol, or glucocorticoid receptor resistance, which results in a decrease in the sensitivity of target tissues to cortisols effects.
Signs and symptoms of low cortisol or GCR resistance include:
- Depression
- Pain
Hypocortisolism induced by chronic stress has also been associated with certain pain somatization disorders, including:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
Is A Decline In Vitamin D Going To Ehenoid Fatigue
Numerous organs of the body can experience kidney failure when there are insufficient nutrients, due to impaired cellular functions. D, E, and K are important elements of the healthy functioning of your adrenal system. Your intestines should be on track before you supplement nutrients with them as this will let your immune system properly absorb them.
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C: Connection + Vitamin C
Connection: Connecting with others and maintaining our social interactions is a vital part of managing stress. Isolating ourselves can increase anxiety, depression, and feelings of overwhelm. Our social interactions can help provide a sense of connection and safety during times of stress. This includes intimacy with our partner, maintaining friendships, and quality time with our children, parents, and other loved ones.
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Tip: We spend a lot more time with technology instead of with other people these days. Take the time to really connect to those around you, without technology intervening. Make a conscious effort to put your phone away and spend some real quality face to face time with others.
Vitamin C– Your adrenal glands have a high concentration of vitamin C and require vitamin C to produce cortisol. This means your adrenals are using up vitamin C at a more rapid rate, and need extra replenishment, during and after periods of high stress.
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Tip: Add some kiwi, grapefruit, strawberries, bell pepper, broccoli, oranges, and Brussels sprouts to your menu for the week to load up on vitamin C.
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Vitamin C supplementation has been shown to help lower cortisol levels, especially after intense stress .
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Note: If youre going to supplement, quality and source matter. Some vitamin C supplements are high in sugar watch out! Also, look for a vitamin c supplement that is from a non-corn source to allow you to take higher doses without undesireable side effects.
Is Adrenal Fatigue Real
The term adrenal fatigue was first used in 1988 by the alternative medicine expert James Wilson. Even though the term is VERY popular, it is not yet recognized as a valid medical condition by The Endocrine Society or the medical experts society overall.
In fact, there is no established way to validate that someone suffers from adrenal fatigue. Some doctors might take blood or saliva tests, but these are not scientific validation that you have the condition.
Simply matching the symptoms with adrenal fatigue can also distract you from discovering a more serious health problem which has the same symptoms. These include adrenal insufficiency, anxiety, and depression.
Also, the misleading diagnosis might be the reason for taking the wrong medicine. Being prescribed adrenal hormone medicine solely on the vague symptoms can cause temporary adrenal glands dysfunctions or even lead to a condition called adrenal crisis.
On the other hand, if you know you dont have any underlying conditions, you can fight off the adrenal fatigue symptoms in a healthier way, instead of drowning yourself in caffeine.
Decreasing your alcohol intake, having more exercise and less stress in your life always has a positive effect on your overall health and energy levels.
You can start by switching to a diet that will help with your adrenal fatigue. Combine that with the right natural supplements and youll be as good as new.
Also Check: Spit Test For Adrenal Fatigue
Pantothenic Acid For Adrenals
Pantothenic acid was first linked to the bodys main stress regulatory center, the hypothalamuspituitaryadrenal axis, in research released in the 1950s. Pantothenic acid helps the adrenal glands produce healthy amounts of cortisol. In rodent models, pantothenic acid deficiency leads to a decrease in the function of the adrenal cortex, the outer area of the adrenal gland. Conversely, replenishing pantothenic acid by injecting animals with pantothenic acid derivatives similar to calcium pantothenate led to an improvement in the production of cortisol and other hormones by the adrenals.
A human study found that the use of vitamin B5 reduced the rise in urinary cortisol metabolites. This indicated that vitamin B5 can suppress the excessive secretion of cortisol that occurs during times of stress.
Eat Small Meals Frequently To Avoid Sugar Spikes
During your burnout recovery, you want to ensure that youre being as gentle with your blood sugar levels as possible.
The worst thing you could do is consume two or three massive, overly processed meals per day. The best thing you can do is eat four to six small, nutrient dense meals per day. More on this in the next two points.
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Best Adrenal Support Supplements
Taking all six of these adrenal gland support supplements could seem a bit overwhelming. Thats why VitalNutrients conveniently bundled all six into one formula called Adrenal Support. It contains pantothenic acid, both whole adrenal bovine and adrenal cortex bovine extract, Eleuthero root, ashwagandha, and Cordyceps Sinensis mycelium extract. The synergistic combination is ideal for mild stress relief, for increased energy, and to promote a general sense of well-being.*
What Supplements Support Adrenal Function
The 3 Best Supplements for Adrenal Fatigue
Also Check: What Can Help Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
So Is Adrenal Fatigue Real
Many doctors and naturopathic doctors in the alternative medicine realm believe that adrenal fatigue is a significant medical problem that can be helped with supplements and dietary changes. The doctors who validate adrenal fatigue believe that it is a lesser version of adrenal insufficiency.
However, according to conventional medicine, adrenal fatigue isnt an accepted medical diagnosis. On this side of the argument, doctors say that non-specific symptoms, such as dizziness, fatigue, depression, and low blood sugar are found in many other diseases and conditions. Narrowing down your mental and physical health problems to just adrenal fatigue can prevent you from finding other underlying causes of your symptoms.
Fleseriu finds that that the diagnosis is more of a feeling than an actual medical condition. She tells Womans World readers, The idea of the adrenal getting tired from stress has not been proven at all and additionally, we have clear-cut clinical studies showing that cortisol gets actually high and not low with stress. Interestingly, the symptoms of adrenal fatigue, are very vague, multi-organ, non-specific, are not even overlapping too much with the ones caused by adrenal insufficiency.
Checking For Adrenal Health
In order to figure out the health of your adrenal glands a simple blood, urine, or saliva test such as the Adrenal Stress Index can be performed through your practitioner. Cortisol levels can be examined by blood in the early morning or throughout the day by a saliva test. DHEA, and Epinephrine, are some other signs of adrenal function. The details provided by screening can assist to identify the most appropriate type of treatment.
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Herbal Supplements For Adrenal Exhaustion
The top herbal supplements for adrenal exhaustion are licorice root, rhodiola, eleuthero, and ashwagandha.
Licorice root
This herb is especially important for maintaining healthy cortisol levels in those with adrenal exhaustion. It contains glycyrrhizin, which gets converted to glycyrrhetinic acid in the intestine. Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits the bodys breakdown of cortisol by blocking the activity of the enzyme that normally inactivates cortisol. When taking licorice root supplements for adrenal exhaustion, be sure that the product is not deglycyrrhizinated. Licorice root supplements vary, follow label instructions.
Note: Large amounts of nondeglycyrrhizinated licorice may increase your blood pressure, which tends to be low in people with adrenal exhaustion. As you start recovering from adrenal exhaustion, you will likely notice fewer episodes of dizziness.
Rhodiola rosea
This herb is considered an adaptogen, meaning that it helps you adapt to stress. It improves adrenal function and can help with stress-related fatigue. Take 200 to 300 mg daily.
Eleutherococus senticosus
Sometimes referred to as eleuthero or Siberian ginseng, this herb is also an adaptogen and can help compensate for stress. Take 200 to 300 mg daily.
Ashwagandha
Adrenal-cortex extract
Adrenal Fatigue & Weight Gain
Do adrenal and cortisol problems lead to weight gain?
The answer is yes.
Not only does cortisol increase insulin resistance and promote leptin resistance, but it also directly alters thyroid function.
These hormones are all very important as it relates to your weight and how your body utilizes fat.
High cortisol has been shown to promote hypothyroidism .
Cortisol also promotes insulin resistance which may increase your risk of type II diabetes and lead to weight gain .
It is through these mechanisms that adrenal related problems can lead to weight gain.
Changes to your cortisol, as we discussed above, also impacts cellular energy production which leads to a lower than normal metabolism.
The combination of hormone imbalances and a slow metabolism lead to the symptom of weight loss resistance and weight gain that many patients experience with cortisol issues.
In order to treat your weight problem, you will first need to evaluate your cortisol function and treat any existing issues.
For best results, you will also need to address any specific hormone imbalances that exist as a consequence of high/low cortisol.
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Reasons For Adrenal Fatigue
There are numerous aspects that add to adrenal fatigue. The most common sign of adrenal fatigue is severe fatigue. Although it is natural for us to feel exhausted or tired after a hard day at work, if you are experiencing adrenal fatigue.
You will feel worn out even when you awaken in the early morning that you will feel as if you didnt even sleep at all. If you feel unusually exhausted or overwhelmed for no particular reason at all and you will also discover that your stamina will gradually degrade to the point that walking simply a block will make you feel very exhausted.
Next to the physical it may feel as if you are on your last nerve. Feeling extreme and negative feelings, such as fear, worry, anxiety, anxiety, anger, and even regret can also contribute to adrenal fatigue.
Extreme physical and psychological strain in addition to deprived sleep, overworking, and over working out can likewise lead to adrenal fatigue.
Viral infections can also trigger adrenal fatigue. And adrenal fatigue will worsen the problems. It becomes a vicious cycle if left without treatment.
Typical Causes of Adrenal Stress:What Supplements Should I Take for Adrenal Fatigue
Anger., Fear/ Worry/ Anxiety
Overwork/ physical or psychological strain.Excessive workout.
- Hypoglycemia.
- Nutritional deficiencies.
This all ends up being excessive for our body to deal with which includes a for that promo or that big fat raise, we are likewise making our lives too complicated for our body to handle.
