Cumulative stress can take a heavy toll on your health and well-being, affecting mood, sleep patterns, appetite, digestion and possibly the function of your adrenal glands. Adrenal fatigue is not a medical diagnosis but rather an increasingly popular health theory based on the idea that high exposure to stress hormones in the body contributes to reduced adrenal gland function. According to adrenal fatigue experts Drs. Michael Lam and James Wilson, bananas should be avoided if you have adrenal fatigue, as they may worsen the condition.
Adrenal Function
The adrenal glands secrete cortisol and adrenaline, commonly dubbed "stress" hormones for their role in stimulating the body during situations of anxiety and danger. Your body depends on the activation of stress hormones for survival, as they prompt a series of reactions that provide a temporary boost in energy, immunity, vision and resistance to pain. However, lifestyle and stimulant use can contribute to excessive exposure to stress hormones, which over time can have an adverse effect on your health.
Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue specialist Dr. Michael Lam contends that adrenal fatigue is a common health condition marked by symptoms of extreme exhaustion, lack of motivation, muscle weakness, food cravings, lethargy, reduced libido, weight gain and moodiness. Adrenal fatigue describes a state in which the adrenal glands function at a sub-optimum level because of acute or chronic stress. When the adrenal glands don't function as they should, this further reduces your body's ability to cope with stress, which leads to a possible worsening of symptoms.
Adrenal Fatigue and Bananas
Nutrition may play an important role in healing adrenal fatigue and treating its associated symptoms. Drs. Michael Lam and James Wilson recommend a diet rich in proteins, whole grains and vegetables, eaten in small meals throughout the day. Adrenal fatigue diets advise that you refrain from consuming fruit in the morning, as it may cause sharp elevations in blood sugar levels, and that you eliminate certain fruits, such as bananas, from your diet.
Bananas are rich in the mineral potassium, which, according to Dr. James Wilson, is detrimental to adrenal recovery. The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys, which work to balance levels of potassium in the body and release the nutrient into the bloodstream. Because of the relationship between kidney function and adrenal health, consuming high levels of potassium, such as that found in bananas, may exhaust the kidneys and further compound adrenal fatigue.
Caution
The symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue are broad and may indicate an underlying health condition, such as depression, fibromyalgia and Addison's disease. Although adrenal fatigue is a recognized condition among numerous medical and alternative health practitioners, it is not a validated diagnosis. Experts from the Mayo Clinic caution that attempting to treat adrenal fatigue may run the risk of ignoring serious health problems, and they advise that if you experience persistent symptoms you should consult your doctor.
