Is the stress hormone cortisol wrecking your good mood and leaving you exhausted?
Our adrenal glands are tiny, about the size of a grape, but work hard at keeping us alive. Daily life takes it toll on this powerful fight or flight hormone. Keeping it healthy doesn't take a lot of effort but has some amazing rewards.
Do you know the signs of of Adrenal Fatigue?
How To Heal Your Adrenal Glands
1. Pinpoint The Cause Of Your Distressed Adrenals
Only when you face the issues that are causing your fatigued glands can you focus on healing.
2. Eliminate Stressors
Do what you can to lessen your stress and then find a way to deal with the stress you cannot control.
Exercise is at the top of the pyramid especially those that incorporate calming techniques such as Yoga and Tai Chi. Expressive dance is another way to lose yourself in the empowering movement of your body. If your body is rebelling with aches, pains, anger or frustration, re-evaluate the life path you're on; it is probably the wrong one.
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3. Take Care of You
Chinese medicine (CM) tells us to live in harmony with nature and the seasons. Winter is a time for rest and recuperation. Less daylight signals the body to sleep more. You should avoid staying up very late or arising too early.
In CM, Winter is a water element and associated with the adrenal glands. Winter can add to the already exhausted adrenals and leave us defenseless to colds and the flu. It's important to rest more and eating nourishing and warming foods such as soups and stews.
4. Use Supplements That Support
- Ginseng
A tonic used in Chinese Medicine for centuries, Ginseng is said to increase vital energy (Chi) and to enhance resistance to illness. It is incredibly effective in treating chronic fatigue and studies suggest that its ability to support the adrenals is the key to its amazing stress fighting power.
Nervousness and slight insomnia can be experienced by some initially. Talk to your doctor before using if you have high blood pressure.
- Licorice Root
Not the candy - licorice has a wide range of benefits from weight loss to heart health. It reduces inflammation and stimulates the adrenals. It also suppresses the hormone aldosterone. High levels of aldosterone can cause sodium retention. Don't use licorice without your doctors' approval if you suffer from hypertension.
Known for relieving menopausal symptoms, Black Cohosh also relieves irritability, inflammation, mood swings, depression and sleep disorders. It should not be taken by women who are pregnant.
- Vitamin B-complex
Especially B5 - the all important B's are essential for growth and development. Deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, depression, muscle pain, infections and eczema. Side effects are possible in mega-dose use. Just stick to the RDA.
- Vitamin C
Not just for the common cold, Vitamin C is a supportive nutrient for your overall health and especially beneficial for your heart, immune system and skin. More than the RDA is suggested by experts; as much as 500mg per day. Side effect of gastrointestinal complaints is possible when taken on an empty stomach or when mega-doses are used.
- DHEA
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands and that can become depleted by stress and aging, DHEA has been shown effective in treating skin rashes, Lupus, depression and arthritis. Use with caution and under doctors approval. It should not be used if you have diabetes, mental health issues, liver disorders or have a history of cancer.
5. Avoid Sugar and Alcohol
Fatigued adrenals have a lower ability to produce cortisol. With less circulating cortisol, the ability to convert glycogen into glucose is decreased and maintaining healthy sugar levels is compromised. Low blood sugar leads to hypoglycemia, which further drains the overworked adrenals.
If you respond to your low blood sugar by using caffeine and sugar you are on a crash-burn course. Stevia is a calorie free herb from Paraguay with a negligible effect on blood sugar making it a great alternative to cane sugar. Sugar-free and diabetic meals as well fresh fruit are all better choices.
If you feel tired or develop mental fog after eating a sugar "treat," it's a clear sign that your adrenals are overloaded.
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