Adrenal Fatigue

See also :

• Fatigue
• Stress
• Depression

Located near the top of each kidney, your adrenal glands release hormones (such as adrenaline and cortisol) that help your body respond to stressful situations (by briefly pumping up your energy levels, for instance). Research suggests that when you're constantly suffering physical, mental, or emotional stress, your stress-hormone system may become "worn out" and actually produce fewer stress hormones. This state of exhaustion -- commonly known as adrenal fatigue -- is associated with chronic tiredness, food cravings, mood swings, and weight gain.

It is important to note that adrenal fatigue is not a generally accepted medical diagnosis and that the causes of this syndrome are poorly understood.

Symptoms

Typically brought on by prolonged stress (often combined with poor nutrition, overexercising, and lack of sufficient sleep), adrenal fatigue is mainly marked by a consistent lack of energy. Other signs and symptoms include:

• caffeine dependence
• irregular menstrual cycles
• insomnia
• weight gain (especially around the abdomen)
• muscle and/or joint pain
• salt cravings
• headaches
• low libido

Remember that common conditions such as depression and fibromyalgia may cause similar symptoms.

Home remedies

Here are some natural solutions for fighting adrenal fatigue and reclaiming your energy.

• The Adrenal Fatigue Diet : Increasing your levels of Vitamin C (found in citrus, red bell peppers, papaya, and broccoli) and vitamin B5 (available in sunflower seeds, mushrooms, yogurt, and corn) and Vitamin B6 through your diet or supplements may help ease symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Too much caffeine may also take its toll on your adrenal glands. To curb your caffeine intake, try to gradually replace coffee and soda with lower-caffeine beverages like green tea.
• Herbs : For herbal relief of adrenal fatigue, look to adaptogens. This class of herbs (which includes Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Cordyceps) is thought to build your resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress, as well as boost your energy and vitality. In a 2009 study, for instance, researchers found that taking 576 mg of a standardized rhodiola extract in supplement form daily reduced stress and increased mental performance (without producing adverse effects) in a group of adults suffering from stress-related fatigue.
• Phosphatidylserine sharpens your thinking, stabilizes your mood and helps you maintain emotional balance in the face of mental stress.
• Licorice : One of its components, glycyrrhizin, assists in blocking the breakdown of cortisol, giving it the ability to raise the levels of cortisol in the body; hence, making it capable of fighting chronic fatigue syndrome and stress
• Support Your Adrenals With Stress Relief : Keeping your stress in check is key to alleviating adrenal fatigue. Research shows that yoga, meditation, and tai chi can all help lower your levels of cortisol and decrease your stress. For optimal stress relief, include one of these tension-taming practices—or another relaxation technique, such as deep breathing—into your daily routine. Exercise is also effective for managing stress, but high-intensity cardiovascular workouts (such as running or vigorous cycling) may contribute to burnout in some cases.
• Siberian ginseng has been shown in research to reduce symptoms of fatigue and improve exercise tolerance. Studies also show healthy aging benefits due to its abilities to reduce damage to DNA. It supports the body by balancing stress hormone production and helping the adrenals cope with stress.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.