Adrenal fatigue and your health
Adrenal fatigue and your health
The adrenal glands are tiny organs on the kidneys that are responsible for the production of several important hormones in the body. Cortisol, aldosterone, DHEA and the androgenic steroids epinephrine and norepinephrine come from the adrenal glands. Some hormones produced by the adrenal glands are responsible for the stress response and maintenance of proper immune system function, while others regulate metabolism and blood pressure. All of these hormones play an important role in keeping your body healthy, so when you struggle with adrenal insufficiency or fatigue, it's easy to feel exhausted.
Adrenal fatigue in athletes is most often caused by the use of stimulants that affect the central nervous system.
Commonly used ingredients among athletes in pre-workout supplements or fat burners. These ingredients add energy when you need it exactly, increase the body's efficiency and lead to fat loss. However, overuse of these ingredients leads to adrenal gland depletion over time.
Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can include:
Many doctors and natural medicine therapists in the field of alternative medicine believe that adrenal fatigue is a serious problem that can be solved with appropriate treatment, supplements, and lifestyle and diet changes. Appropriate treatment is selected depending on the cause of your adrenal problems.
The symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:
Constant fatigue
Weak muscles
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea
Low blood pressure
Depression and irritability
Hypoglycemia
Headache
Excessive sweating
Irregular menstruation in women
Sudden intense pain in the lower back, legs, or stomach
Dehydration
Loss of consciousness
Trouble falling asleep and waking up
Unexplained weight loss
Low blood pressure
Dizziness
Loss of body hair
Discoloration of the skin
Adrenal glands what laboratory tests?
You can diagnose adrenal insufficiency with blood tests and special stimulation tests that show insufficient levels of adrenal hormones.
The term "adrenal fatigue" is used to describe symptoms that are said to occur in people who are exposed to prolonged mental, emotional or physical stress. Some people say that adrenal fatigue affects people who do stressful work, do shift work, or abuse alcohol or drugs. The theory behind adrenal fatigue is that the adrenal glands, which are activated during stress, are overworked. According to this, long-term stress causes fatigue of these glands and disrupts their functioning.
A diet that supports the work of the adrenal glands
A balanced diet can balance many of the symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue. Some people recommend a special anti-adrenal fatigue diet. Properly balanced meals and the use of supplements support the immune system, well-being and overall health. Regular consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, low consumption of fatty, sweet and processed foods, and limited consumption of alcohol and caffeine can all contribute to strengthening the work of the adrenal glands. A balanced diet is key to overall well-being and can help prevent many of the symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue.
Products that naturally support the treatment of the adrenal glands include lean meat, bee pollen, basil, blueberries and other vitamin C-rich fruits, green vegetables. Meals rich in high-quality protein, healthy unsaturated fatty acids and complex carbohydrates with high nutrient content will benefit your health. In order for the adrenal glands to function properly, increase the consumption of vegetables to get the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals. Also include foods rich in vitamin C, B vitamins and magnesium. Adequate hydration is also important because dehydration can increase stress levels and forces the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. A diet supporting the work of the adrenal glands effectively increases energy levels, regulates blood pressure, and promotes healthier eating habits.
Is treating adrenal fatigue effective?
Adrenal fatigue advocates can advise you to improve your lifestyle by quitting smoking, alcohol and drugs. Starting an exercise program, eating healthy foods, and following your daily routine while you sleep and wake up will almost always make you feel better, regardless of your medical diagnosis. Regular consumption of vitamins and minerals can be good for your health. There are a number of supplements on the market containing active ingredients, including adaptogens supporting the work of the adrenal glands.
What should you do if you are told your adrenals are tired?
Getting a real diagnosis is very important to help you feel comfortable
better and overcome the health problem. Each adrenal gland contains the outer cortex of the adrenal glands. It is responsible for the production of certain steroid hormones, including aldosterone and cortisol. Each gland contains the inner core of the adrenal gland, which produces several other hormones, including epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Aldosterone helps control blood pressure by regulating the balance of potassium and sodium in the body. Cortisol works in conjunction with adrenaline and norepinephrine to help regulate your stress response. Cortisol also helps regulate metabolism, sugar levels, and blood pressure. Your adrenal glands are controlled by the pituitary gland, another part of the endocrine system. The pituitary gland located in your head is the main controller of the endocrine glands. Abnormal signals can interfere with the production of hormones that the pituitary gland tells the adrenal glands to produce. This can cause too little or too much hormone to be produced and a hormone imbalance can result, causing a wide variety of symptoms and health problems.
How is adrenal disease diagnosed?
We recommend consulting an endocrinologist who, based on the results of blood tests and an interview, will diagnose the underlying disease and order appropriate treatment. What tests can the doctor order in this case? The parameters measured may include, among others: adrenal hormones, pituitary hormones, glucose, potassium, sodium. If they suspect you have adrenal disease, they may order imaging tests. Ultrasound, MRI, and X-rays are used to create images of the adrenal glands and the pituitary gland.
How is adrenal disease treated?
If you've been diagnosed with adrenal gland disease, your doctor will prescribe the right treatment to help restore your adrenal glands to function properly. He will likely recommend hormone replacement therapy if you have low adrenal function, such as caused by Addison's disease. They may also recommend medications if your glands are producing too much of this hormone.
If your adrenal glands have burned out through the use of stimulants, improper diet or stressful work, it is worth considering taking supplements to increase energy.
The supplements listed below are recommended by many natural medicine practitioners to help reverse the possible symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Of course, it's best to consult your doctor before starting the appropriate supplement to choose the most appropriate one.
Known vitamins and herbs that can help reduce stress and fatigue include:
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that has strong anti-inflammatory properties. This plant acts on the central nervous system. It is used as a sedative, calming and healthy sleep. It allows the body to adapt to stress factors, thanks to which it returns to homeostasis, despite the impact of stressors. It restores the dysregulated body to function properly, despite a poor diet, lack of sleep or physical or mental exhaustion.
Licorice is used for mood and digestive problems. It is primarily one of the best-known herbs used to treat adrenal fatigue. Licorice supports the adrenal glands by preventing the breakdown of cortisol, one of the main hormones produced by the adrenal glands to fight stress. Licorice is also an excellent herb supporting and protecting the liver, which also increases energy production.
Bovine Adrenal Extract known as bull adrenal glands extract. It contains hormones and regulatory substances important for the functioning of the nervous system. Its use contributes to faster regeneration and protection of nervous tissue against degradation. As a result, the reactivity of the nervous tissue can be kept at a high level for weeks or even months.
Pregnenolone is a component that is the basic building block of adrenal hormones, it determines the proper functioning of the entire adrenergic system. It contributes to the improvement of brain function, improves remembering, helps in the fight against stress, promotes well-being. In the body, it also functions as an important precursor to DHEA and progesterone. Plays an important role in creating correct responses to stress stimuli.
Vitamin C is helpful in energy production and supports the immune response. Humans are unable to produce their own vitamin C, so it must be provided with food. Taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day has an exceptional fatigue relief effect.
Zinc is extremely helpful in optimizing immune function and improving athletic performance. Additionally, it is one of the most important minerals in maintaining fertility in both men and women.
Vitamin B plays an important role in many body functions, including the production of red blood cells as well as the production of energy from food. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also linked to depression, so taking a vitamin B supplement may benefit