Dealing with Adrenal Fatigue
By: Tim Wong
Adrenal Fatigue is a lay term applied to a collection of nonspecific symptoms, such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive problems.
“The adrenals are two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys and produce several hormones, among them, cortisol. When under stress, we produce and release short bursts of cortisol into the bloodstream. The adrenal fatigue theory suggests that prolonged exposure to stress could drain the adrenals leading to a low cortisol state. The adrenal depletion would cause brain fog, low energy, depressive mood, salt and sweet cravings, lightheadedness, and other vague symptoms.”
Elevated cortisol levels can also interfere with blood sugar levels, cause weight gain or loss, increased risk of infection or cause bone density loss, muscle wasting, thinning skin and kidney problems. This increased demand puts a stress on the endocrine system, which may eventually affect the levels of the sex hormones like estrogen, testosterone and DHEA. When your adrenal glands aren’t secreting the right number of hormones to keep healthy levels circulating in your bloodstream, extra support is needed.
So this begs the question, what happens when the adrenal glands can’t keep up?
The stress response actually starts with the hypothalamus, which stimulates the pituitary gland to signal the adrenal glands to release the stress-buffering hormone cortisol, and the thyroid to release the hormones T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). Together, T3 and T4 hormones regulate your body’s temperature, metabolism, and heart rate. Increased cortisol levels may actually inhibit or alter the body’s ability to produce these hormones.
Elevated levels of cortisol increases production of cytokines – a group of proteins that promote and regulate immunity and inflammation. Cortisol also suppresses the production of lymphocytes, a major component of the immune system that help defend against disease-causing and infectious organisms.
Stress impairs serotonin transmission in the brain and increases activity in the amygdala, or the brain’s fear centre. As a result, cortisol levels rise and cripple the signals sent by the hippocampus – the part of the brain that dictates learning, memories, and stress control.
Females experiencing adrenal fatigue may also find they suffer estrogen-dominant symptoms such as PMS, endometriosis, irregular menses, fibrocystic breast disease, or fibroids. Severe cases of adrenal fatigue may also cause amenorrhea, the cessation of menstruation altogether.
Males experiencing the hormone imbalance caused by adrenal fatigue invariably leads to common symptoms like fatigue, irritability, depression, anxiety and weakened immune function. In addition, low libido, erectile dysfunction and loss of muscle mass and strength are indicators of adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal fatigue can cause many problems in the body’s immune response, brain, thyroid and reproductive system, so what is the solution?
Ginseng is a common and versatile adaptogen.
Ashwagandha is another example of an effective adaptogen!
Adaptogens! In herbal medicine, adaptogens are a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. The goal of taking adaptogens is to return your body back to a state of balance (homeostasis). The herbal action in adaptogens increases or decreases chemical reactions within your body.
If you’re stressed, an adaptogen will respond by reducing your cortisol levels. If you experience chronic fatigue with low cortisol levels, an adaptogen will increase the level of cortisol in your body. You can take adaptogens by adding them to food or beverages or take them as tinctures.
Here are a few adaptogen products we sell at Amaranth and recommend for you to use to reduce adrenal fatigue:
Health First
Stress Release Supreme (60 capsules) & Ashwagandha Supreme (120 capsules)
Stress Release Supreme contains Suntheanine® L-theanine, shown to promote relaxation while keeping your mind sharp; Reishi and Cordyceps mushrooms support a healthy immune and stress response; and lastly, Schisandra extract is a known adaptogen to alleviate both mental and physical fatigue.
Ashwagandha Supreme is formulated with KSM-66 Ashwagandha® – an organic, non-GMO, concentrated root extract and the most clinically studied ashwagandha on the market.
WomenSense
AdrenaSense (180 capsules)
AdrenaSense is a natural formula containing rhodiola, suma, Siberian ginseng, schisandra, and ashwagandha. Health care practitioners recommend AdrenaSense to help improve mental and physical performance after periods of exhaustion and to temporarily promote relaxation.
CanPrev
Adrenal Pro (120 capsules)
Adrenal Pro helps increase energy and reduce stress and fatigue, enhances physical and mental performance and provides an improved sense of well being!
Each capsule of Adrenal Pro contains L-Tyrosine - 200mg, Vitamin B5 (calcium d-pantothenate) - 125mg, Ashwagandha extract root, 1.5% withanolides - 100mg, Schisandra extract berry, 1.6% schisandrins - 75mg, Siberian ginseng extract root, 10:1 - 75mg, Rhodiola extract root, 3% rosavins, 1% salidrosides - 50mg, Astragalus extract root, 10:1 root, 10:1 - 38mg and lastly, Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate) - 15mg.
MegaFood
Balanced B Complex (72 tablets)
MegaFood® Balanced B Complex supports your nervous system and assists in the conversion of food into energy with its balanced ratio of FoodState® B complex vitamins and nourishing real food like organic kale and brown rice. It can be taken anytime throughout the day, even on an empty stomach.
A small amount of stress can help us temporarily to be more productive, with increased energy and focus. But when stress is chronic, it can lead to tissue damage, exhaustion and a reduction in our immune response. Having too little or too much cortisol is a result of stress in our lives, and adaptogens are the best way to balance our bodies to reduce adrenal fatigue. Consider also having an adequate intake of water soluble vitamins like Vitamin C, B and Magnesium as they are easily depleted in our bodies in times of stress.