by Paula Owens

 

Right up there with the obesity epidemic is the "invisible epidemic of the 21^st century" - adrenal fatigue. Are you tired but wired, use caffeine and high-sugar snacks to get through the day, always on the go, feel burnt out? You may be experiencing adrenal fatigue. We live stress-filled, fast-paced, sympathetic dominant lives with lack of down time, rest and relaxation. Our body does not differentiate between real or imagined stressors, fearful emotions and thoughts. Many people fail to take care of their basic needs such as eating healthy food, drinking water and sleeping restfully.

Adrenal fatigue affects close to 80% of the population and causes a multitude of health problems, from exhaustion and weight gain to decreased immune function. Adrenal burnout may result in mood disorders, insomnia, diabetes, fibromyalgia, cancer, fungal infections, hypertension and kidney disease, to name a few.

Most people with weak adrenal function don't realize their adrenals are the cause of their symptoms -- or that they can heal themselves with natural support. The majority of medical doctors ignore adrenal dysfunction unless it's severe or part of an illness such as Addison's (an underproduction of cortisol) or Cushing's (an overproduction of cortisol).

Your adrenal glands weigh less than a grape. They're two tiny walnut sized glands located above each kidney. The adrenals are the control center for many hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, DHEA, progesterone, aldosterone, estrogen and testosterone. Aldosterone is essential to maintaining fluid levels in your kidneys regulating potassium and sodium. Cholesterol is a precursor to all hormones.

CORTISOL, the Main Adrenal Hormone

#1 Pro-aging hormone

Adaption to stress

Anti-inflammatory

Energy

Fat & protein metabolism

Regulates insulin & glycogen

Sleep Patterns

Tissue response to healing

The primary role of the adrenal glands is to control your energy levels and keep you alive during stressful events. Studies have shown that for every minute you experience stress, it takes 60 minutes to remove the flood of adrenal stress hormones from your bloodstream. Chronic stress creates a continuous production of cortisol which in turn overproduces cell-damaging free radicals breaking down the body.

What happens when cortisol levels are consistently elevated? Muscle and bone atrophy, digestion is impaired, healing and normal cell regeneration decline, destruction of T-cells, the thymus gland shinks, all other hormones and brain chemistry are disrupted, along with a weakening of the immune system.

Ask yourself - Do you experience?

Asthma, bronchitis, frequent colds

Bloating and/or swelling

Blood sugar imbalances

Body fat levels that don't lower in response to sufficient physical exercise (excessive abdominal fat - spare tire)

Chronic heartburn or indigestion

Crave salt and/or sugar

Decreased or zero sex drive

Dizzy when standing up suddenly

Elevated LDL cholesterol (excess cholesterol is manufactured in times of psychological stress and dehydration)

Have to have a cup of strong tea or coffee in the morning to get going

Inability to tolerate or handle stress; exercise intolerance

Insomnia

Irritable; hopeless; panic attacks; depressed

Low blood pressure

Severely cracked, painful heels?

Tend to be a night person

Tendency to "need" to wear sunglasses; sensitive to light

Tenderness at low back under the 12^th rib area

Thin, dry skin and brittle nails

Unexplained hair loss

When your adrenals are depleted and chronically overworked, they're unable to produce sufficient amounts of hormones. DHEA is a precursor to the hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Insufficient DHEA contributes to fatigue, bone loss, muscle atrophy, decreased sex drive, depression, achy joints, and impaired immune function. Before menopause or andropause, our adrenals produce 40% of our sex hormones. After menopause or andropause, the adrenals produce 90% of the sex hormones.

For optimal health and well-being, it is vital that we prioritize the health of our adrenal glands. Each person is individual in susceptibility to adrenal dysfunction based on their genetic make up. Research reveals that a child or fetus in the womb that experiences trauma whether physical, emotional, electromagnetic, environmental or psychological, have a lower stress threshold in adult life.

What causes adrenal dysfunction in the first place?

Addiction to stimulants

Consistently staying up late at night (past 10:30 pm) and getting up early

Eating foods your body is sensitive to and cannot tolerate

Insufficient rest and relaxation

Long-term steroid drug use for arthritis, asthma, allergies or MS which cause the adrenals to shrink in size

Over-exercising

Persistent injuries that cause inflammation

Prolonged stress and exposure to toxins (emotional, psychological, electromagnetic, environmental or physical)

Skipping meals and blood sugar imbalances

Unresolved emotions

How to Diagnose Adrenal Fatigue/Decline:

There are various stages of adrenal fatigue. Testing is important to determine the appropriate recovery protocol. Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) testing via saliva is non-invasive and the most reliable. The ASI evaluates how well the adrenal glands function by tracking their 24-hour circadian rhythm. Saliva samples are taken four times/day for one day to determine your basic cortisol rhythm. In addition to the ASI, include a thyroid panel (TSH, T4 an T3 Uptake). Other tests to include: CBC, Metabolic panel, inflammatory markers: C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine.

Adrenal burnout is almost entirely caused by a poor diet and a high stress lifestyle. Attention to lifestyle and diet must be addressed first in regards to adrenal dysfunction before any sex hormones such as progesterone, estrogen or testosterone are administered as these can be converted to stress hormones if the appropriate order of healing is not taken.

THE HEALING JOURNEY TO ADRENAL HEALTH - THE FOUR POWERS (Nutrition, Lifestyle, Exercise and Supplements)

Nutritional Recovery for Adrenal Fatigue:

Avoid -

Alcohol, coffee, caffeine, soda (diet included) and carbonated beverages

Commercial salt and instead use Celtic sea salt

Dairy products

Dieting and long periods without food

Foods you're addicted to

Foods you're sensitive to (wheat, dairy, soy, corn, eggs and chicken are common allergens)

Fruit juices

Liquid with your meals

Preservatives, junk food, fried foods, hydrogenated fats, processed foods

Skipping breakfast

Sugar, white flour and refined carbohydrates

Include -

Address digestive dysfunction

Celtic sea salt to replenish electrolytes depleted from chronic stress

Chew your food thoroughly

Combination of fat, protein and carbohydrate source at each meal.

Eat regular meals at regular intervals

Eat within an hour of rising

Filtered water with Celtic sea salt

Food sensitivity testing

Green drinks

Healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil)

Herbal teas (chamomile, passion flower, valerian, licorice root)

High intake of organic protein

Liver detoxification

Organic foods, locally grown foods, cage-free and grass-fed when possible

Raw foods - consume 50-75% of your foods in their raw state

Sea greens

Vegetables

Lifestyle Recovery for Adrenal Fatigue:

Avoid -

All forms of tobacco

Computer, television or exposure to bright lights after 8:00 p.m.

Energy vampires; toxic people, places and things that drain you of your energy

Lotions, soaps, toothpastes and shampoos that contain chemicals, dyes, etc.

Prolonged periods of direct sunrays

Turn off the news

Include -

Address unresolved emotions

Conscious thought patterns

Deep breathing

Guided imagery

Keep a journal

Laughter

Mantras or affirmations

Massage therapy

More rest and quality sleep - get to bed by 10 p.m.

Personal down time every day

Surround yourself with like-minded people

Exercise Recovery for Adrenal Fatigue:

Avoid -

Excessive exercise

High-intensity cardio (releases cortisol)

Include -

Brisk walking with arms swinging

Lift weights using free weights, kettlebells, sand bags, barbells and dumbbells and/or bodyweight training such as push ups and pull ups

Practice yoga, tai chi, qigong, stretching, deep breathing and/or meditation daily

Supplement Recovery for Adrenal Fatigue:

Avoid -

Synthetic supplements

Include -

Vitamin C (the highest concentration of vitamin C is in the adrenal glands)

B-Complex vitamin - especially B5 and B6

Magnesium, potassium and calcium; trace minerals zinc, manganese, selenium and iodine provide calming effect in the body

Digestive enzymes

Probiotics

Omega-3 fish oil

Glandulars: Bioitcs ADHS, ABD5

Other nutritients: Ashwaganda, Phosphatidylserene, Evening Primrose Oil, Siberian Ginseng

THE GOOD NEWS

Although adrenal fatigue is common, you can restore and recover. It normally takes 4-6 months to fully restore adrenal balance. Testing is easy. Take control and responsibility of your health. Your health can be regained by taking action and incorporating the fours powers - nutrition, lifestyle, exercise and supplements. Remember, it's a journey.

Sources:

Wilson, James. Adrenal Fatigue.2001.

Page, Linda. Healthy Healing 12^th Edition. 2004.

Goldbery, Burton. Alternative Medicine. 2002.

Copyright 2009 Paula Owens

Read more about Adrenal Fatigue in Paula's book, THE POWER OF 4 - Your Ultimate Guide Guaranteed to Change Your Body and Transform Your Life.

Paula is the author of THE POWER OF 4 - Your Ultimate Guide Guaranteed to Change Your Body and Transform Your Life. Paula holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition, a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology and numerous professional health and fitness certifications. She is a fitness and weight loss expert with over 20 years of experience.

Visit Paula at www.PaulaOwens.com