Decreased adrenal functioning from prolonged medication or drug use, stress and dietary habits may lead to Adrenal Fatigue, a diagnosis that isn't a traditional medical one, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, poor memory, food cravings and headaches. Consult with a physician to determine a proper diagnosis and determine if a juice fast is a safe treatment method to restore adrenal health.
Precautions
Juice fasts should only be conducted under medical supervision as they are typically low in calories and may not provide all essential nutrients for good health. If you are taking prescription medication, consult with a physician as drug effectiveness may be comprised while fasting. Avoid detoxes and juice fasting in general if you are diabetic, pregnant, have a diagnosed eating disorder, liver disease, anemia, cancer, poor immune function or low blood pressure.
Detoxing With Juice
Juice fasting is a detox diet intended to cleanse the body of toxins and accumulated wastes to restore good health and proper adrenal function. Chemicals in highly processed foods combined with over-consumption of foods high in sugar and fat contribute to high cellular toxicity levels that lead to adrenal fatigue or burn-out. Normal body function activities are impaired as the organs are over-taxed with eliminating toxins and the digestive tract is unable to digest food properly for waste removal. Juice fasting allows the body time to repair and heal by providing essential nutrients in raw, unprocessed form that is easier for the body to digest for decreased stress and improved nutrition.
Juice Fasting
Conduct juice fasts should only over a short period of time -- between one to seven days. The duration of fasting varies according to your individual health needs and health professional's approval. A typical juice fast involves drinking only juices throughout the day along with water and possibly lemon water to further cleanse the system. According to Kris Carr, author of "Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It!", between 32 to 64 ounces or more of juice may be consumed in a day, or up to 16 ounces at one sitting.
Nutrient-Rich Juices
Water fasts may increase symptoms of adrenal fatigue in people since lack of nutrients and calories may result in further lethargy and stress. In contrast, juices are made with fresh fruits and vegetables that provide some essential nutrients and calories to the body to sustain and improve health. Fruits and vegetables are a source of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that aid in the prevention and protection against heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. Produce is run through a juicer to separate the pulp, or fiber, from the juice that provides quick energy to the body. Typical juices include carrots, beets, apples, parsley, spinach, romaine lettuce, celery, cabbage and pineapples.
References
- "Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It!"; Kriss Carr & Dean Ornish, M.D.; 2011
- "Adrenal Fatigue: The 21rst Century Stress Syndrome"; James L. Wilson, N.D., D.C., PhD & Jonathan V. Wright, M.D.; 2001
- Dr. Lam: Laboratory Tests
- MayoClinic.com; Is There Such a Thing as Adrenal Fatigue?; Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.; April 2011
