20/06/2018
The Adrenals, Small and Mighty Glands with a Big Job
The adrenals are small glands that sit on top of each kidney. They control hormones like DHEA, adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. These glands are known as the stress glands because they help one to respond to stress using a cascade of hormones. If there is stress a high cortisol situation may arise. High cortisol is linked to a larger waistline, increased incidence of a stroke and alzheimer’s disease. Low cortisol and adrenal output is called adrenal fatigue. This can happen for a number of reasons. Adrenal fatigue is not a disease but a collection of symptoms. In the clinic we see more and more cases of adrenal fatigue.
Some common symptoms of adrenal fatigue are:
difficulty waking, fatigue not helped by sleep and waking unrefreshed
craving for salt and salty foods, craving more alcohol and coffee
lack of energy where everything feels like a chore, increased effort to do every day tasks
low s*x drive
decreased ability to handle stress, irritability, weeping
slow recovery time from injuries
dizziness on standing up quickly
mild depression, less enjoyment in life
weight gain especially around the middle
increased PMS symptoms
feeling worse missing meals, hypoglycemia
thyroid disorders
difficulty focusing, memory weak
allergies and respiratory infections that take a long time to resolve, environmental sensitivities
decreased tolerance and irritability
skin pigmentation disorders
poor energy on waking, between 3:00 and 4:00p.m. and more energy in the evening
eating disorders such as binge eating or anorexia
Saliva cortisol testing can detect if the adrenals produce enough or too little of cortisol at the right times of the day. Too much at night can trigger a restless sleep and too little in the morning produces fatigue. Consistently low cortisol output is considered to be adrenal dysfunction (AD). AD can improve if obstacles to good health are removed. Shift work, working long hours, ongoing stress, illness, poor diet, chronic pain or certain medications such as steroids are linked to AD. A diet that is low protein, high in prepackaged goods, caffeine and refined carbohydrates, is linked to AD. Refined carbohydrates are high glycemic which means they convert to a sugar in the bloodstream and can cause blood sugar to spike. These foods like white rice, white flour and white sugar negatively impact the adrenal glands. In fact, people with low adrenal function often suffer more often from bouts of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). They tend to get headaches, dizziness, trembling and irritability if they miss a meal or exercise too vigorously. Lastly certain mental illness and certain anxious personality types will be more apt to suffer from AD due to stressful thought processes.
If you suffer from any of the common symptoms of adrenal burnout there are a few things you can do for yourself at home:
Eat a whole food diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Limit refined carbohydrates like white flour, rice and sugar
Avoid caffeinated drinks, they increase energy temporarily but they drain the energy from the adrenals in the long run
Drink licorice or rosehips tea (avoid licorice if you have high blood pressure)
Limit your exposure to stress
Try some relaxing exercises such as yoga, meditiation, tai chi
Walk and talk with a friend or your family
Ask for help instead of trying to do everything yourself
If you take any medication or have an underlying condition check with your doctor or homeopath before taking any supplements
