Adrenal Fatigue

By: Sydney Shorb, RN-BSN, Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor

Adrenal Fatigue

Humans, like all living things, must respond and adapt to a wide range of challenges, many of which pose threats to their health or life. Therefore, the body is equipped with a complex repertoire of metabolic functions specifically designed to detect these threats and prevent them from doing physiological harm; or at least to survive the immediate crisis with a chance to regain our health in the near future. This process is known as homeostasis, a physiologic state of balance that is susceptible to a range of stressors, both intrinsic and extrinsic (real or perceived). 

From a biological perspective, stress or a “state of being threatened” triggers our stress response. Excessive or prolonged exposure to various stressors, or inadequate regulation of the stress response systems, will invariably cause individuals to suffer adverse health consequences. In fact, there is a postulated association between chronic stress (and/or dysfunction within the stress response system) and nearly every category of chronic disease. 

The stress response contains both a surveillance function (to assess internal and external threats) and an effector function (to manage metabolic resources to counter the threat). The stress response system is designed to protect physiological resilience within all systems while the organism is under stress, but it does so by drawing upon the organism’s metabolic reserves. 

Adrenal fatigue is one of the complex dysfunctions related to the stress response as a consequence of maladaptation to stress. Adrenal fatigue is a collection of signs and symptoms that result when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level due to the body being in a constant “fight or flight” mode. It’s often associated with intense or prolonged stress. Other causes include, but are not limited to, chronic lack of sleep, consuming too much coffee/caffeine, food allergies or sensitivities, eating low amounts of nutrients, chronic pain/inflammation, and autoimmune conditions.The most common symptom is fatigue that is not relieved by sleep. People experiencing adrenal fatigue often have to use caffeine and/or sugar to get going in the morning and to avoid crashing later in the day. 

Stress-reduction therapies, lifestyle modifications and adrenal and nervous system support are important to implement to help the body achieve homeostasis.

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue: 

• unexplained fatigue 

• changes in circadian rhythm 

• trouble waking up in the morning

• feel more awake and energetic after 6pm 

• feeling rundown, overwhelmed, or irritable

• difficulty bouncing back from stress or illness 

• changes in metabolism

• crave salty or sweet foods 

• glucose intolerance

• weight gain, especially around the middle

• increased thirst and/or urination 

 Food Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue:

• keep blood sugar stable with fat/fiber/protein at each meal and snack

• eat breakfast within one hour of waking 

• have small snacks to avoid blood sugar dips 

• eat foods high in vitamin C 

• avoid caffeine, sugar and alcohol 

 Supplemental Treatments to Consider for Adrenal Fatigue:

• Adaptogenic herbs ( e.g. ashwagandha, astragalus, ginseng, etc.) 

• Adrenal Complex (glandular with herbs for nourishing gland and supporting proper function)

• B-complex (major adrenal food)

• Magnesium (necessary nutrient for adrenals) 

• Adr (adrenal herbal tonic and enzymes) 

• Vitamin C (adrenals are the largest store of vit C in the body)

Sydney Shorb, RN-BSN, CFNC

Sydney aims to look through a preventive lens and is passionate that people proactively prevent issues from arising instead of only tending to their health when they have a symptom or diagnosis.

7 Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

By: Karen Cino, Naturopathic PhD, Master Herbalist, CNHP, Masters in Nutrition, Advanced Digestive Health Specialist

We all want to love the holidays.  But sometimes it’s hard. We have to be careful that holiday joy is not replaced by holiday stress.  Hectic home, social and work schedules can lead to excess stress and anxiety.

When stress builds up, all of the body’s systems are affected. As stress increases, our breathing becomes faster yet shallower, which stimulates our nervous system and induces a stress response. This releases cortisol to give us a boost in those stressful situations. However, too much cortisol causes sluggish digestion, chronic inflammation, impaired immunity, weight gain and more--the last things we need in the middle of winter, or any time of year, for that matter.

To reduce stress and help make the season bright, try these seven natural remedies:

1. Deep breathing is a powerful way to immediately calm your nervous system. With each breath, allow any tension in your body to slip away.

2. Exercise relieves stress in many ways including helping to regulate adrenalin and cortisol, two of our body’s main stress hormones. It also forces us to breathe deep (see above).

3. The Bach Flower Rescue Remedy works to calm a person and Olive will relieve exhaustion. Put of few drops of each into a little water and take a sip whenever you feel your spirits or your energy flagging.

4. With parties and family get-togethers throughout the holiday season, we often overindulge. Plant based digestive enzymes can be beneficial if you have been treating yourself to rich, creamy foods and are paying a price as it hits your digestive system.

5. Adaptogenic herbs help to increase the body’s resistance to stress, fatigue and anxiety. They help to increase resistance to stressors and restore normal physiological functioning.

6. With a busy holiday schedule you may find yourself skipping meals or eating junk food. Eating complete proteins gives our bodies all the amino acids necessary help keep our mood steady.

7. Lower your expectations for yourself. Shopping, socializing, school pageants, driving hundreds of miles to grandma’s house…really? You cannot expect to do everything well during the holidays. Reduce stress by making a daily to-do list and consider skipping those items that aren’t as important.

With the right support we can control stress, keep ourselves healthy during the holidays, and enjoy the season to the fullest.

Contact us if you need suggestions to help manage holiday stress.  Mention this article and receive 20% off any products purchased.

Karen Cino, PhD

Karen loves to help people find their way back to health and wholeness so they can live their full potential.