The adrenal glands are endocrine organs that sit atop the kidneys. They secrete a number of hormones into the bloodstream that can cause systemic effects on the body. Adrenal gland fatigue is the condition that results from chronic overstimulation of the adrenal glands. This generally occurs from prolonged stress, but blood sugar imbalances and chronic pain can also exhaust the adrenal glands. Fatigue, inflammation and pain are common and the condition treatment requires patience and persistence, as healing from the exhaustion may take time. All alternative medicine treatments should be discussed with a certified healthcare practitioner before use.
Fitness and Mind-Body Techniques
Chronic stress and pain can deplete a person's reserves of energy and affect their immune system over time. This process occurs because the body's stress system has been operating in overdrive for a prolonged period of time. There are two aspects of the nervous system that deal with stress, and its countering mechanism, relaxation. These nervous system components are known as the sympathetic, or fight or flight-stress system and the parasympathetic, or rest and digest-relaxation system. While maintaining a healthy fitness program can help a person curb the stress response, it may be too late to undertake a hardcore fitness plan, once the adrenals have been exhausted. Alternatively, mind body exercises, like yoga, tai chi, meditation and deep breathing are found to up-regulate or stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, according to a University of New Mexico article by Christine A. Maglione-Garves. Maglione notes that these types of techniques can decrease stress symptoms, by instigating a state of deep relaxation, thereby providing the adrenal glands with an opportunity to rejuvenate. All new exercise regimens should be discussed with your doctor.
Herbs
Naturopathic medicine is often called upon to treat the chronic, and often unresolved issues of adrenal fatigue. The American Association of Naturopathic Medicine, or AANP, has explained adrenal fatigue and offered some herbal solutions in an article posted by naturopathic physician, Catherine Clinton, N.D. Clinton suggests that ginsengs, American, Siberian and Asian, can be helpful in supporting the adrenal glands, by providing plant-based chemicals that increase energy, while the adrenals recuperate. Rhodiola is also noted by Clinton as a helpful herb in combating stress. Rhodiola was described in a 2010 LIVESTRONG.com article as having the ability to increase endurance and resist the negative effects of stress. Furthermore, rhodiola can mediate some of the effects that chronic stress can have on cognitive abilities and emotional states, as the herb also helps to maintain memory, attention and retention during stress and act as a mild antidepressant. The addition of herbs to your healing regimen should be discussed with your doctor before use.
Vitamins
The adrenal glands require specific vitamins to keep up with their activity. A Life Extension health concerns database notes that Vitamin C and pathothenic acid, or B5 are useful nutrients for the adrenals. Pantothenic acid is an important precursor in the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter which activates the adrenal glands. An Integrative Psychiatry journal article notes that vitamin C is integral to the production of adrenal hormones. Vitamin C is suggested at dosages of 3,000 mg per day to treat adrenal fatigue, while Vitamin B5 is suggested at a dose of 1,500 mg per day. All vitamins should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner before use.
Diet
Diet is probably not thought of as an essential way to deal with adrenal fatigue, but naturopathic physician, Caroline Clinton notes otherwise as she describes how insulin resistance adds to and worsens adrenal fatigue. Insulin resistance is a lack of proper control over blood sugar levels. An "Integrative Psychiatry" article states that skipping meals, and especially breakfast is a surefire way to stress out the adrenals. By causing very low levels of blood sugar, the adrenals are called upon to support the fall.
Adrenal fatigue is worsened by foods that worsen blood sugar control. These foods include simple sugars, refined carbohydrates and junk food and having a protein at each meal helps to offset the imbalance. Caffeine and soda also affects blood sugar negatively and further stresses the adrenals, the Integrative Psychiatry articles suggests against coffee ingestion as well. Foods high in potassium, such as bananas, melons, and raisins, are noted to worsen the condition as well. All dietary changes should be discussed with a doctor before hand.
References
- American Association of Naturopathic Physicians: Adrenal Fatigue Explained
- University of New Mexico: Cortisol Connection -- Tips on Managing Stress and Weight, by Christine A. Maglione-Garves
- LiveStrong.com: The Effects of Rhodiola
- Life Extension: Adrenal Disease -- Adrenal Fatigue
- Integrative Psychiatry: Adrenal Fatigue
