Your adrenal glands sit atop your kidneys and produce hormones, such as cortisol and norepinephrine. Also called adrenaline, these hormones contribute to your energy levels, metabolism, heart rhythms and moods. Signs that your adrenal glands are functioning improperly, according to women's health expert Dr. Christiane Northrup, include difficulty "dragging" yourself out of bed in the morning, food cravings, weight gain and insomnia. In addition to medical treatments, when necessary, healthy dietary changes may improve adrenal gland function.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide valuable amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which support your body's ability to defend itself from disease. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can also enhance adrenal function if you're experiencing adrenal fatigue -- a condition in which your adrenal glands produce too few hormones -- according to the "Everything Adrenal Fatigue Book" by James M. Lowrance. Since added sugars, such as cane sugar, corn syrup, dextrose and honey, supply only temporary energy and can cause an energy "crash," Lowrance suggests replacing candy and other processed sweets with fresh fruit regularly. Fruit juice may also disrupt your mood and energy; thus, whole, fresh varieties are ideal. Fruits and vegetables particularly rich in nutrients include cherries, berries, citrus fruits, kiwi, tomatoes, spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and squash.
Protein-rich Foods
Protein digests slowly and has a mellowing impact on your blood sugar levels. Northrup recommends incorporating protein-rich foods into all of your meals as an important dietary remedy for poor-functioning adrenal glands. Choose lean sources most often to prevent excessive intake of saturated fat, which is associated with obesity, diabetes, heart disease and certain forms of cancer. Valuable protein-rich foods options include skinless chicken or turkey breasts, low-fat dairy products, legumes, lean meats, tofu and fish. Choose healthy cooking methods, such as baking, broiling, steaming and grilling in light amounts of olive oil, for heightened benefits.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide glucose -- your body's main dietary energy source. Carbohydrates also promote the production of feel-good brain chemicals, including serotonin and dopamine, and help your brain utilize the amino acid tryptophan, which promotes calmness. While refined carbohydrate sources, such as enriched breads, pasta and cereals, may hinder adrenal gland function, according to Lowrance, complex carbohydrates do the opposite. Incorporate complex carbohydrate sources, such as 100 percent whole grain breads, brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, cooked barley, air-popped popcorn, baked potatoes with skin and sweet potatoes into balanced, nutritious meals regularly for best results. When dining out, request whole wheat bread in place of wheat and unbuttered baked potatoes in place of french fries. When purchasing breads and cereals, check food packaging to ensure that whole grains are listed as main ingredients.
References
- Dr. Northrup.com: Adrenal Exhaustion
- "Everything Adrenal Fatigue Book"; James M. Lowrance; 2010
