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.