Adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system and have two parts that produce hormones. The outer portion produces corticosteroids and DHEA, which balance salt and water in the body, regulate blood sugar, aid sexual development and function, and support stress reactions. The inner portion makes adrenalin and norepinephrine, which increases blood pressure and heart rate when there is stress. Repairing adrenal glands involves eating certain fresh, natural foods and avoiding fat, sugar and unnatural substances.
Causes and Symptoms of Weakened Adrenal Glands
Stacey Bell, a registered dietitian and nutritional researcher from Harvard Medical School, explains in the book "Prescription for Natural Healing," that long-term stress, certain physical disorders, such as pituitary tumors, or improper diet will reduce adrenal function. This causes one or more symptoms that include fatigue, lethargy, numerous infections, standing low blood pressure, dizziness, headaches, memory loss, allergies, food cravings and blood sugar imbalances. Bell recommends a diet consisting of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, legumes or dried beans and peas, seeds and nuts, olive and safflower oil, deep water ocean fish and salmon. These foods contain vitamin B complex, vitamin C, coenzyme A and coenzyme Q10, minerals and the amino acid, tyrosine, which are primary nutrients that strengthen the adrenal glands.
Fruits and Vegetables
Bell explains that green vegetables, avocados, citrus and tropical fruits, peppers and radishes are particularly important because they are high in vitamin C and most minerals. Vitamin C helps produce anti stress hormones and protects against infection. Vitamin C also prevents abnormal blood clotting, which lowers blood pressure. When blood sugar drops, adrenaline and cortisol that vitamin C produces slow it down. Minerals work together as a team to perform many functions, including the formation of bodily fluids. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain more of some minerals than others; however, eating a wide variety of these foods gives you all the minerals.
Whole Grains
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines whole grains as the entire grain, which is the bran, germ and kernel. Popular whole grains include brown rice, whole wheat, oatmeal, cornmeal, barley, rye, spelt, buckwheat and quinoa, which can also be ground into flour. Whole grains strengthen adrenal gland function because of their rich B vitamin and mineral content. Vitamin B complex maintains a healthy nervous system, decreases fatigue, dizziness, food cravings, headaches and stress, improves memory, and combats fatigue. Vitamin B-5, also called pantothenic acid, is primarily involved in adrenal hormone and antibody production, and the conversion of protein into energy. Eat green vegetables and avocados for additional sources of vitamin B complex.
Amino Acids
Legumes, seeds and nuts are also rich in vitamin B complex, minerals and amino acids. Eat them with whole grains in various combinations to receive all 28 amino acids needed in the body. Twenty amino acids are essential, meaning they can only be obtained through the diet. They help manufacture the remaining nonessential amino acids in the liver. The nonessential amino acid tyrosine is involved in the manufacture of adrenaline, dopamine and norepinephrine, hormones that control anxiety and moods. Tyrosine is a mood elevator and natural appetite suppressant. Almonds, pumpkin and sesame seeds, avocados and bananas are high in tyrosine.
Substances to Avoid
Bell advises you to avoid fats and fried foods, including red meat and processed foods, as well as sugar and white flour. These foods put unnecessary stress on the adrenal glands. Bell also states that alcohol, tobacco and caffeine are extremely poisonous to adrenal glands. Olive and safflower oil are unsaturated fats that have less effect on raising total cholesterol levels.
Fish
Bell includes cod, pollock and salmon in this adrenal gland diet. They contain large amounts of vitamin B complex, coenzyme A, and coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme A, a byproduct of vitamin B-5, produces 90 percent of the body's energy and supports the immune system. Coenzyme Q10, also an energy producer, circulates blood effectively. This lowers blood pressure and complications from heart disease. Spinach, beef and peanuts also contain coenzyme Q10.
References
- Kids Health; Body Basics: Endocrine System; 2011
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition"; Balch, Phyllis; 2010
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration; The Scoop on Whole Grains; May, 2009
