Adrenal fatigue is a term for a group of symptoms that includes body aches, fatigue, anxiety, trouble sleeping and digestive problems. Proponents who believe stress affects the adrenal glands, such as Marcelle Pick OB/GYN NP from Women to Women, claim that a hormonal imbalance from adrenal fatigue can hinder your ability to lose fat around the stomach. While no studies confirm adrenal fatigue will hinder weight loss, you can take some practical steps to control the symptoms and possibly lose belly fat.
Theories/Speculation
The core factor in adrenal fatigue is stress. According to Pick, chronic stress affects the way the adrenal glands produce hormones. Adrenal glands are organs that sit on top of the kidneys. They are responsible for producing chemicals that regulate blood sugar and for stress management. The theory of adrenal fatigue states that when exposing these glands to a continuous overload, hormone production becomes imbalanced. The improper release of hormones can cause you to crave high-calorie foods and develop excess body fat that pools around your middle section.
Diet
Managing your food intake may help relieve the hormone imbalance. Those with adrenal fatigue tend to crave sugar. Eating sugary foods will give you energy initially, but will also lead to an energy crash and fatigue once that energy burns off. Pick advises you eliminate gluten from your diet. Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as wheat. Stick to meals that include organic foods, such as fresh vegetables and proteins. Eating the right foods will control your calorie intake and adrenal fatigue then ultimately reduce belly fat.
Timing Your Meals
One main component in adrenal fatigue may be cortisol production. Cortisol helps to regulate blood sugar. Time your meals to avoid hunger. This means eating breakfast every day and adding a healthy mid-morning and afternoon snack. Eat dinner early and avoid late night snacking. Pick advises dinner should be light and around 6 P.M. daily. Make breakfast your big meal and dinner the smallest. Small meals also reduce calories. To gain 1 lb. of fat, you eat 3500 more calories than you burn. Controlling excess calories will force your body to burn fat and may reduce your middle section.
Salt Cravings
Craving salt may be a sign that your body is out of balance. Pick explains that salt cravings can come from underproduction of a vital hormone. When you eat salt, it triggers the hormone. If craving salt on a regular basis, add sea salt or Celtic salt as a condiment to food. To not over indulge in the salt. This can increase water weight and will ultimately work against your goal to lose belly fat. Just add an additional pinch of salt daily to control cravings. Talk to your doctor before increasing salt in your diet, especially if diagnosed with hypertension.
Sleep
Sleep helps your adrenal glands heal and reduce the fatigue. Avoid eating late at night. This can stimulate energy and affect sleeping habits. Take naps and sleep in when possible to improve your health. Pick reports that sleep is vital to healing adrenal fatigue and losing weight around the stomach.
