Are you tired all the time, regardless of how much sleep you get? Do you have difficulty sleeping through the night and/or getting up in the morning? Are you stressed out? Do you rely on caffeine, sugar, or salty snacks to keep you going? Do you have unexplained muscle weakness or pain? Are you often irritable and quick to anger? Do you have difficulty concentrating or does your brain feel foggy? If you answered yes to most of these questions, you could be suffering from adrenal fatigue. I suffered from adrenal fatigue for ten years before I was diagnosed and received proper treatment.
Adrenal fatigue is a condition in which the adrenal glands become overworked and function poorly. The adrenal glands are two tiny glands, located above the kidneys that are responsible for secreting hormones such as cortisol, DHEA, estrogen, testosterone, and epinephrine. The adrenal glands can become drained due to long-term stress or a major life event. Women tend to suffer from adrenal fatigue more often than men do because men have higher levels of testosterone and DHEA to rely on.
Most traditional doctors do not recognize adrenal fatigue as a medical condition. If you do not have Addison’s disease, a rare endocrine disorder, doctors will most likely determine that your adrenals are functioning just fine. They may even conclude that you are depressed and refer you to a therapist or prescribe anti-depressants. While anti-depressants may address some symptoms for some sufferers, they fail to get to the root of the problem.
Holistic doctors may use lab tests to check for adrenal function, hormone imbalances, and excess toxic metals and to identify deficiencies of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, all of which can cause stress on the body. If you are experiencing the above symptoms, they may just clinically diagnose you and treat you with supplements and dietary recommendations. In addition to a high-potency multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement, you might benefit from the following:
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
· Reduce painful inflammation
·. Blue-Green Algae Juice
·(low blood sugar can lead to physical and emotional stress)
·. D-Ribose Powder
· Increases energy
· Improves sleep quality
· Increases mental clarity
· Reduces pain intensity
· Promotes overall well-being
4. MSM
· Improves absorption of vitamins and minerals
· Reduces inflammation
·. Magnesium
· Has a natural calming affect
·. Adrenal Concentrate
· Provides adrenal support for fatigue, stress and other signs of low adrenal function
· Contains extracts from animal adrenal glands (porcine or bovine) as well as vitamins, minerals, and herbs to help restore healthy adrenal function
You should consult a holistic medical doctor before introducing new supplements into your diet. When trying new supplements, you should introduce them to your diet one at a time. If you introduce several at once, you will not know what’s working and what’s not, and if there is any negative reaction, you will not know which supplement to blame. You should avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol and consume a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Additional rest and moderate exercise are also beneficial.
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