Adrenal fatigue is a term often used to describe a range of symptoms related to the malfunctioning of the adrenal glands due to chronic stress. While this concept remains controversial within the medical community, many people experience symptoms such as exhaustion, insomnia, and a lowered tolerance for stress, which proponents of the theory attribute to overworked adrenal glands. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of what adrenal fatigue is, its potential causes, symptoms, and how natural remedies can assist in managing it. By exploring the adrenal glands' role in the body and the impact of chronic stress, this article will shed light on how individuals can work towards regaining hormonal balance and well-being.
The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands that sit atop each kidney. Despite their size, they play a vital role in producing hormones that regulate metabolism, the immune response, and stress reactions. Each adrenal gland is composed of two distinct parts: the outer Adrenal Cortex and the inner Adrenal Medulla, both of which have unique functions.
The adrenal medulla is responsible for producing two critical hormones: adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine, both of which are essential for the body's "fight-or-flight" response.
Together, these hormones enable the body to cope with immediate threats by boosting physical and mental performance. However, chronic mental stress can overstimulate this system, leading to imbalances.
The complete adrenal system is closely tied to what we refer to as the "fight or flight" response, serving its purpose of enabling the body to acclimate to a state of stress.
Originally intended for short-term scenarios, this system was designed for immediate responses rather than prolonged use. However, we often find ourselves dealing with extended periods of persistent mental stress.
Our bodies were designed to take more physical stress over mental.
These hormones go through almost every cell in the body and start to change certain things to adapt the body to prepare for this stress situation.
What is the significance of that?
If you are under chronic mental stress or you have major losses in your life (or surgeries and/or trauma)
Note: These stresses above acumulate over time and creates situations where the adrenals become disfunctional to a certain degree. While this isn't necessarily a disease it's more a sub-clinical issue of the adrenal.
At first you have a higher level of these hormones, and then overtime you start developing cortisol resistance just like insulin resistance where now the cortisol doesn't work but you have high levels of cortisol and symptoms of low cortisol.
The adrenal cortex produces three major types of hormones:
Androgens: These are sex hormones, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), that contribute to overall hormone balance. Although primary sex hormone production occurs in the gonads, the adrenal glands produce supplemental amounts.
Glucocorticoids (e.g., Cortisol): Known as the "stress hormone," cortisol regulates metabolism, immune response, and blood sugar levels. Under prolonged stress, high levels of cortisol can lead to "cortisol resistance," where the body becomes less responsive to cortisol despite its elevated levels.
Mineralocorticoids (e.g., Aldosterone): This hormone helps regulate electrolyte balance and blood pressure. Dysregulation of aldosterone can result in imbalances of sodium and potassium, further complicating stress responses.
Glucocorticoids (Sugar hormones):
Mineralocorticoids (Salt hormones):
Androgens (Sex hormones):
With an adrenal body type, you become more active at night, especially around 2am where you wake up and you're thinking about problems etc... Climbing up stairs will cause breathlessness and you may crave salty food.
There are 4 different phases of sleep that a person can go through:
The purpose of sleep is to get rid of alot of toxins in the brain, and metabolites that are generated throughout the day. You're also getting a rejuvenation of neurotransmitters.
Cortisol messes up the adrenal circadian wave because everything is backwards with the adrenals. The lower point of cortisol is normally around 2am and the highest point is at 8am in the morning. So with adrenal failure, you'll see it's just the opposite. You're very awake at 2am but want to sleep at 8am.
Adrenal fatigue theorists suggest that prolonged stress causes the adrenal glands to become "fatigued," resulting in suboptimal hormone production, particularly cortisol. This concept is not widely accepted in mainstream medicine due to a lack of conclusive evidence, but the symptoms it describes—chronic exhaustion, mental fog, and lowered stress tolerance—are very real for many.
Those experiencing adrenal fatigue may initially produce excessive cortisol, which over time leads to a kind of "cortisol resistance," similar to insulin resistance in diabetes. This means the body stops responding effectively to cortisol, even though its levels remain high.
Testing adrenal function is more complex than a single blood test due to the circadian rhythm of cortisol levels. One common at-home test is Ragland's test, which involves measuring blood pressure while lying down and standing up. A significant drop in systolic blood pressure may indicate adrenal dysfunction.
Another test for adrenal fatigue involves measuring CO2 tolerance by assessing the length of an exhalation after deep breaths. Shorter exhalation times are often linked with adrenal fatigue.
These hormones travel on the circadian wave. So if you check 1 blood test or saliva test with your cortisol, you're just getting a snapshot of what's happening at that period of time.
The best at-home tests for adrenal fatigue (Ragland's test):
The adrenal glands have no parasympathetic innovation. In other words, the glands have no off switch, only an on switch.
To properly find out you would need to test every 4 hours.
First test is called the Ragland's test - All you need is a blood pressure cuff
When you lie down and then stand up, the top number should go up a certain amount (~6-10 points).
If it goes up more than that or goes down then that normally means there is an adrenal disfunction.:
How does this measure work?
The adrenal glands have no parasympathetic innovation. In other words, the glands have no off switch, only an on switch.
Normally when you lie down and then stand up there is an adrenal adaptation that increases the blood pressure and the pulse rate in order to be able to push the blood into the brain (you may have noticed this before when you stand up very quickly and you feel dizzy - that is because of a failure in the adrenal system to pump the blood pressure up into the brain fast enough).
The second test evaluates your CO2 tolerance:
The more exercise and fitness you do get your body in shape, the more you will be able to handle stress.
Individuals with adrenal fatigue often exhibit specific physical traits and behavioral patterns. For example, they may be more active at night, crave salty foods, and experience breathlessness during simple physical activities like climbing stairs.
The disrupted circadian rhythm, caused by cortisol imbalances, results in peak cortisol levels occurring during the night (when the body should be resting) and low levels in the morning (when energy is needed most).
Suggested Remedies:
Nutritional Support:
Adaptogenic Herbs:
Vitamin C
Cortisol and adrenaline need Vitamin C as a precursor.
- Sauerkraut (700mg)
- Bellpeppers
- leafy greens
- Lemons / limes / berries
Potassium
Calms things down for you
Sodium
Want to get it from sea salt or salt already in your food:
Electrolyte Balance: Sodium is one of the body's essential electrolytes, and it plays a key role in maintaining proper fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. Proponents argue that increasing sodium intake may help support electrolyte balance and alleviate some symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue.
Blood Pressure Regulation: Adequate sodium intake is important for regulating blood pressure. Some proponents suggest that individuals with adrenal fatigue may experience low blood pressure, and increasing sodium intake could help normalize it.
Cortisol Regulation: Sodium is believed to influence cortisol levels, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Supporters of this approach argue that higher sodium intake may support better cortisol regulation in individuals with supposed adrenal fatigue.
Vitamin B1
One of the most important nutrients for the autonomic nervous system)
- Nutritional yeast