Addison's Disease & Nutrition

Addison's disease is a rare condition in which failure of the adrenal glands to produce enough of the steroid hormones glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids leads to symptoms including low blood pressure, fainting and abnormal levels of important blood salts and sugars. In addition to hormone replacement therapy, Addison's patients are also advised to follow a careful diet that addresses specific nutrient imbalances cased by the disease.

Self-Treatment

Undiagnosed Addison's sufferers frequently self-medicate, with varying degrees of success, by regularly consuming foods to correct nutrient imbalances, according to a May 2009 article published by the National Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Information Service. Addison's disease is a complex disorder that can affect individuals in very different ways, emphasizing the importance of seeking personalized dietary advice from a doctor or trained nutritionist.

Licorice

Doctors have often reported that some Addison's patients eat a large amount of licorice on a daily basis. The main sweet-tasting ingredient in licorice is a chemical called glycyrrhizin, which is known to inhibit production of the hormone cortisol in the body, which in turn can mimic some of the actions of mineralocorticoid. Through this mechanism, licorice may partially correct some effects of hormone imbalances in Addison's patients, leading to alleviation of symptoms, according to a December 2001 article published in "Hypertension."

Soy Sauce

Excess excretion of sodium salt, due to impaired kidney function, is characteristic of Addison's disease, leading to a number of symptoms, including nerve and muscle problems. Addison's patients are frequently advised to consume sodium-rich foods such as soy sauce to maintain blood sodium levels, and many report alleviation from disease symptoms by self-medicating in this way, according to an April 2006 article published in "Endocrine Abstracts."

Carbohydrate

Patients with Addison's are prone to low blood sugar, which causes a drop in energy levels, and the possibility of coma if unaddressed. These individuals are advised to maintain blood sugar levels within safe levels by eating small portions of carbohydrates such as potato, rice or pasta on a regular basis, according to a May 2009 article published by the National Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Information Service.

Potassium

Levels of potassium salt commonly become elevated in the bloodstream of patients with Addison's disease, leading to a variety of medical problems including an increased risk of a heart attack. For this reason, Addison's sufferers should avoid the type of salt substitutes commonly recommended to people with high blood pressure, as these often contain potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride, according to a February 2010 article published by the global health care provider Cigna.