Your adrenal glands are located above your kidneys and are part of your body's endocrine system. These glands are responsible for producing cortisol, which is an anti-inflammatory hormone, and adrenaline, which helps you cope with stressful situations. When your brain interprets an event as being threatening, it sends the signal which activates your body's "fight or flight" response as provided by your adrenal glands. During extended stressful periods in life, the emergency signal can remain on and cause several symptoms, including depression, nervousness, insomnia, allergies and a depleted immune system. Following certain guidelines can help restore your adrenals to their normal function. Consult your doctor before attempting to restore your adrenal glands yourself.
Step 1
Visit your doctor to rule out Addison's disease, which is an underactive adrenal gland, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your doctor will perform a blood test to measure corticosteroid hormone levels, and determine if your urine is concentrated by performing a kidney function test. Addison's disease affects 4 out of every 100,000 people.
Step 2
Sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours every night for optimal adrenal function. Change your schedule or adopt a different night-time routine if you find it hard to sleep properly.
Step 3
Eat a diet that concentrates more on whole foods, rather than processed foods. Whole foods refer to foods in their natural state, and free from most chemicals, additives and preservatives. Examples are fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds.
Step 4
Eat more foods that contain potassium, according to Natural Ways to Health. Examples include kelp, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, raisins and almonds.
Step 5
Deal with any emotional traumas and stresses you have in your life. Learn to meditate, practice yoga, martial arts or simply breathe deeply to calm your mind and relax your body. Consider speaking to a therapist if you have any unresolved issues that you can't seem to release.
Step 6
Speak to your doctor to try to alter any medications that may be hindering your adrenal function. Explain your symptoms, and go through each medication with her to see if you can find an alternative medication that could work.
