When under stress, healthy adrenal glands increase their production of cortisol and DHEA to allow you to maintain health and respond to increased demand. They also secrete adrenaline, to give you a boost of energy when you need it. If stress becomes chronic, the adrenal glands can no longer keep up with the demand, and levels of DHEA and eventually cortisol begin to drop, signifying adrenal exhaustion. Also, excessive adrenaline secretion can make anyone feel anxious and nervous. Complaints of insomnia, fatigue, depression, irritability, and digestive difficulties are common. As adrenaline rises during stress, digestive enzyme levels drop at the same time and blood sugar levels initially rise. As this becomes more chronic, the consequences of prolonged stress include:
• Tired
• Decreased immune function
• Humor changes
• Cortisol depletion, resulting in low blood sugar
• Less restful sleep
• Increase in the lipid levels of fats in the blood.
• Decreased sensitivity to insulin, with greater susceptibility to diabetes.
Restoration
A main topic is how to reduce and respond to stress in your life. The adrenal glands will not heal until you change your way of life. This may include learning a relaxation practice like meditation or yoga, talking to a therapist, or learning some cognitive behavioral therapy techniques from a book (Feeling Good by David Burns) or a website (moodgym.org), cultivating positive relationships or even just laughing on a regular basis.
I highly recommend that you get enough sleep and go to bed before 10pm.
Your diet should avoid refined sugars, caffeine, and alcohol and should include several small meals that contain protein. It is also important to determine allergy foods and avoid them.
Get outside light every day. Light exercise is recommended every day.
Nutritional supplements and herbs are also believed to support adrenal acorn healing. The vitamins used include vitamin C, magnesium, B complex, and pantothenic acid, but there is little research to know whether or not this is effective. Similarly, adrenal glands (extracts from the adrenal glands of land animals) have been used with reported success but with little formal research.
There is more research on “adaptogenic” herbs, which help people cope with stress and also lower the risk of various diseases and infections. These include Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), Withania somnifera (Ashwaganda), Panax ginseng (Ginseng), and others. Licorice can also be used as adrenal support, but if used in large amounts, blood pressure and potassium should be monitored.
All of these supplements should always be used in consultation with a physician familiar with adrenal stress disorders.
