Adrenal Fatigue 

Chronic stress is common in this 21st Century, with continual demands and limited ability to recuperate from physical, mental or emotional stress.

Symptoms are often vague and varied, but typically include fatigue. Other symptoms include

  • Brain Fog

  • Weight gain

  • Insulin resistance

  • Insomnia

  • Luteal phase defect (low progesterone)

  • “Wired Tired” feeling

  • Recurrent infections

  • Increased blood pressure or heart rate

Individuals at high risk for this are busy new parents, high stress-jobs, night shift workers, students in college or grad school, or with any major life change. If you have adrenal fatigue, the first step is to reduce stress. Think about what is on your plate and what you take eliminate, and also what you can and need to say “no” to.

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

A relatively new term, “adrenal fatigue” is when overstimulation of the adrenal glands (or “adrenals”) by chronic stress over time leads to an inconsistent level of cortisol (stress hormones). This is considered a “subclinical” disease, because, unlike “Cushings syndrome” where there is no remaining adrenal function, adrenal fatigue is a dysfunction of adrenal gland, not a total failure.

Overcoming Adrenal Fatigue

Treatment for adrenal fatigue involves reducing stress on your body and your mind, avoiding negative thinking and replenishing your body with healthy foods, supplements and ways of thinking. Just as in every condition, diet is a huge factor. First you have to avoid any foods that tax you adrenals.

Avoid:

  1. Caffeine. That’s right, take it out, wean if you must

  2. Sugar and sweeteners.

  3. Processed carbs, processed meats

  4. Skipping meals

Focus on:

  1. Protein at breakfast (at least 20 grams), and limit carbs at breakfast

  2. Fast overnight

  3. Take a mid-afternoon meditation break

  4. Each meal contains a protein, vegetable, and fat

  5. Eat highest carb meal at dinner, but make sure it is balanced

  6. If you aren’t sleeping through the night, have a nut butter (peanut butter works well) as a snack 1 hour before bedtime.