Adrenal Fatigue

Most people will struggle with adrenal fatigue at some point in their lives. It is brought on by stress, both emotional and physical (exercise is great for stress reduction unless it is done to the extreme), a diet high in processed foods and sugar, ongoing sleep deprivation, and overuse of pharmaceutical medications.

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

• Fatigue — never feeling like you get enough sleep even after 8 – 10 hours
• Always feeling overwhelmed
• Unable to deal with any stress, even minor
• Trouble focusing or concentrating
• Poor memory
• Thyroid problems
• Storing excess body fat around your abdominal area

What You Can Do

Recognize stress in your life, simplify and eliminate things that are stressing you out unnecessarily. Eat a balanced, whole food diet that is high in antioxidants to stabilize your blood sugar levels.

Take supplements such as adaptogen herbs:

• Ashwagandha has a positive and calming, yet energizing, effect on the brain and the ability to lower stress hormones. It improves concentration, motivation and stamina, as well as lowers cortisol levels and naturally balances hormones.
• Rhodiola helps to balance the cortisol levels in your body, raising or lowering it as needed. It supports cellular energy, metabolism and has positive effects on brain function, depression and heart health.
• Holy Basil modulates stress, reduces fatigue, promotes longevity, improves memory and cognition, as well as helps to fight anxiety, depression, insomnia and migraine headaches.

Supplement with B vitamins to help with energy and stress.

Take Magnesium to promote relaxation, relieve and reduce anxiety and panic, improve sleep, and reduce physical aches and pain.

What are adaptogens?
They are herbs that increase the body's ability to adapt to stress.

What is cortisol?
It’s an adrenal hormone that regulates and modulates many of the changes that occur in the body in response to stress.

By Michelle Pascal, Registered Holistic Nutritionist