The adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys, produce important hormones in the body that regulate the stress response. When the adrenals are constantly over-stimulated, symptoms such as muscular weakness, exhaustion, poor wound healing, moodiness, problems with blood sugar regulation, cravings for sugar or salt, and changes in body hair growth can result. Cleansing the adrenals through diet and lifestyle modifications can assist in removing toxins from the organs and return proper functioning.
Diet
Poor eating habits can contribute to an accumulation of toxins in the adrenal glands. The Endocrine Society suggests cleansing the adrenals with regular meals and by not skipping meals. Also, increase intake of whole grains, fiber, protein and beneficial fats by including an abundance of unrefined carbohydrates, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables in the diet. Refined carbohydrates, sugar, and hydrogenated fats should be limited and caffeine, particularly in coffee and sodas, should be avoided. Eating food slowly and chewing properly is also important to ensure proper digestion and optimum extraction of the nutrients from the food.
Sleep
Sleep is a critical time when only the essential, involuntary bodily functions work, such as the heart beating and the lungs breathing. Otherwise, the body is at rest and can fully "turn off," recover and rebuild. Optimum sleep for most people requires getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. It is especially important for adrenal cleansing to go to bed early at night, ideally before 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.
Exercise
According to the Project Aware website, light physical activity is an excellent way to cleanse the adrenals and energize the body. However, overly competitive or intense activities should be avoided because strenuous exercise can further stimulate the adrenal glands. Adrenals control the stress response in the body, so any stressor, including normally beneficial ones like a physically or mentally challenging experience, can worsen already exhausted adrenals. Walking is an easy and basic form of exercise that also promotes relaxation and reduces stress. Tai chi or yoga can also be beneficial for adrenal cleansing.
Stress Reduction
One of the major contributors to adrenal dysfunction is an increase in stress. Stress can take many forms, and reducing exposure to both physical and mental stress is important for cleansing the adrenals. For one, time should be set aside every day for relaxation. This means different things to different people, but activities such as reading a book, watching a movie, or enjoying nature are generally relaxing, recreational and stress-free. Additionally, simply laughing more helps reduce stress in the body by triggering the parasympathetic nervous system, counteracting the stress response.
Supplements
The Project Aware website also recommends several oral supplements that may assist with adrenal cleansing. For instance, licorice root and ginseng are herbal supplements that can be taken in the short-term. Liquid trace minerals and vitamin supplements such as B-6 vitamin, vitamin C, and vitamin E may also help boost adrenal function and provide extra nutritional support. Drugs, tobacco and alcohol should be avoided during adrenal cleansing because the adrenals function much like the kidneys and filter toxins in the body. Therefore, less stimulation from external toxic substances is beneficial for adrenal cleansing.
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