The symptoms of adrenal fatigue include low energy levels, sugar cravings, poor moods and impaired sleeping. Magnesium stands out as a particularly useful mineral in helping you counter these symptoms, by aiding in a restful night's sleep and soothing of the release of stress hormones. Use of this nutrient may play an important role in recovering from such adrenal problems.
Adrenal Fatigue
Dr. James Wilson, a physician and the author of "Adrenal Fatigue: 21st Century Stress Syndrome," explains that a variety of different stressors can cause adrenal fatigue in an individual. He lists excessive exercise, a long period of insufficient sleep, chronic infection or psychological worry as major factors. These can place undue strain on tissues in the adrenal gland responsible for cortisol production, the excitatory hormones released in response to stress. If this situation becomes prolonged, these tissues and cortisol levels may become dysfunctional, causing symptoms experienced by adrenal fatigue sufferers.
Magnesium
Magnesium, a mineral that plays a role in the function of more than 300 enzymes in the human body, can affect a myriad of biological systems. Charles Poliquin, the Canadian strength coach who has worked with a number of Olympic athletes, tests the magnesium status of all individuals entering his clinic and finds almost all short in the mineral. Magnesium can help avoid cramps, improve hydration and facilitate deep sleep.
Sleep
Dr. Wilson notes how a lack of quality sleep can act as a major obstacle in a patient's recovery from adrenal fatigue. Magnesium helps sleep by reducing the release of stress hormones that would otherwise activate the central nervous system and stop the individual from becoming relaxed enough to nod off. This effect also allows you to enter deeper sleep during the night, meaning that you wake up more refreshed.
Increased Requirements
One cruel irony of adrenal fatigue is that, while magnesium's sleep-enhancing properties have become more important than ever, stress depletes stores of this mineral quicker than normal. In his blog, Dr. Wilson recommends that those suffering from adrenal fatigue take magnesium supplements to overcome this issue.
Expert Insight
While magnesium plays a major role in facilitating the good sleep required, recovery from adrenal fatigue may also require several other key nutrients. Dr. Michael Lam, a U.S. practitioner familiar with the condition, explains that the use of vitamin B5 and vitamin C may become necessary to fully support the adrenal glands. He also points out that removing the initial stressors remains paramount.
References
- "Adrenal Fatigue: 21st Century Stress Syndrome"; Dr James Wilson; 2002.
- Dr Lam: Adrenal Fatigue
- Dr Wilson's Blog: Magnesium in Adrenal Fatigue
- Poliquin Institute: Magnesium
