Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue is a result of improper function of the adrenal glands. This can be caused by stress, poor dietary choices or too little sleep. The adrenal glands support hormone production in relation to metabolism, immune function, blood pressure, response to stress and cortisol production. When we experience consistent stress at a high level, this can cause adrenal fatigue, limiting our body’s ability to function the way we require.
Some Symptoms:
Experiencing insomnia at night
High level of fatigue during the day
Inability to handle stress
high energy levels in the evenings
Cravings of salty foods
Low blood pressure
Weight loss
Stages of adrenal fatigue:
Feeling Wired and Tired: May feel energized at night, but tired during the day. This is often a result of cortisol imbalance.
Stressed and tired: May feel tired throughout the day, but may wake up early in the morning and cannot fall back asleep.
Burnt out: This stage often results in feeling extreme exhaustion. This is an unsafe area to be in, as it may lead to autoimmune disease susceptibility.
Dietary choices that may lead to adrenal fatigue:
White sugar
Processed foods
Alcohol
Caffeine
Fried foods
artificial sweeteners
Holistically Supporting Therapies for Adrenal Support
Basil Essential Oil:
May support: Adequate protein sources such as lean meat (i.e chicken), and fatty fish (wild salmon) may support optimal adrenal function as well.
Ashwagandha: This adaptogen has been known to support adrenal function, through helping to reduce high levels of cortisol, which can contribute to adrenal fatigue.
Holy Basil: This herb helps relieve stress that may correspond in response with a rise in cortisol levels, which can contribute to adrenal fatigue.
Recommended Dietary Choices:
A balanced diet, consisting of whole grains, protein, fiber and nutrient-dense carbohydrates (like sweet potatoes) help to support adrenal gland function, reducing symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
Foods that support:
Eggs
Dark leafy greens
Vegetables
Whole Grains
Healthy fat: olive oil, avocado oil
Low-sugar fruits: berries and stone-fruit (i.e. peaches and apricots)
Nuts and legumes
Adequate protein sources such as lean meat (i.e chicken), and fatty fish (wild salmon) support optimal adrenal function as well.
References:
Lee, Y., Jung, J. C., Jang, S., Kim, J., Ali, Z., Khan, I. A., & Oh, S. (2013). Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects of Constituents Isolated from Rhodiola rosea. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 514049. doi:10.1155/2013/514049
Kumar, G., Srivastava, A., Sharma, S. K., Rao, T. D., & Gupta, Y. K. (2015). Efficacy & safety evaluation of Ayurvedic treatment (Ashwagandha powder & Sidh Makardhwaj) in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot prospective study. The Indian journal of medical research, 141(1), 100–106. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.154510.
Nutritional Therapy. Blood Sugar Regulation. Nutritional Therapy Association. pg. 20.
Singh, N., Bhalla, M., de Jager, P., & Gilca, M. (2011). An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM, 8(5 Suppl), 208–213. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9
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