Adrenal glands are small organs located above your kidneys. As part of your endocrine system, they secrete hormones into your body to help it function. Your adrenal glands produce aldosterone and cortisol, hormones that influence how your immune system functions and how your body responds to stress. According to Medline Plus, adrenal disorders can develop when your adrenal glands either make too much or not enough cortisol.
Fruits
If you want to keep your adrenal glands healthy, snack on fruit. Many fruits are high in vitamin C and fiber, nutrients that reduce adrenal gland stress, strengthen your immune system and help you fight off infections and diseases. Fruits that can benefit your adrenal glands include blackberries, raspberries, plums, cherries, strawberries, grapes, pomegranates, oranges and tangerines.
Green Vegetables
Adding green vegetables to your daily diet can help adrenal glands function efficiently. Green vegetables are loaded with vitamins A, C and K; folic acid; iron; fiber and calcium -- nutrients that reduce the stress in your body and support adrenal gland health. Green vegetables that can help your adrenal glands include spinach, Swiss chard, collard greens, cabbage, asparagus, lettuce and broccoli.
Salt
Adding some salt to your food can improve impaired adrenal gland function. Your adrenal glands produce aldosterone, a hormone that stabilizes blood pressure. When adrenal glands become exhausted and cannot produce an adequate supply of this hormone, blood pressure drops and you crave salt. Consuming limited amounts of salt can help your adrenal glands produce the hormones needed to keep your body's metabolism functioning efficiently. If you have high blood pressure, contact a medical professional before increasing your salt intake.
Complex Carbohydrates
Eating a bowl of oatmeal in the morning can keep your adrenal glands healthy. Cortisol regulates blood sugar levels. When your blood sugar level drops too quickly, the adrenal glands work harder. Additional stress on your adrenal glands can lead to adrenal fatigue, a condition that occurs when your adrenal glands cannot produce enough cortisol to keep your body functioning properly. Consuming complex carbohydrates such as oat bran, oats, beans, brown rice, wild rice and whole wheat bread and pasta can reduce pressure on your adrenal glands, maintain a healthy blood sugar level and support overall physical health.
Proteins
You can achieve or maintain healthy adrenal glands by consuming protein-based foods. Foods rich in protein can help support a healthy blood sugar level, which can decrease the amount of stress on your adrenal glands and prevent adrenal gland fatigue. Foods rich in protein include lean meat, poultry with the skin removed, fish, low-fat dairy products, soy products and legumes such as black beans, navy beans, black-eyed peas and lentils.
References
- Medline Plus: Adrenal Gland Disorders
- KidsHealth.org: Endocrine System
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2006
- Center for Young Women's Health: Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
- Center for Young Women's Health: Legumes
- "Nutrition Almanac"; Lavon J. Dunne; 2008
