Natural Remedies For Adrenal Fatigue

I learned the best kept secret to healing my adrenal fatigue naturally, and the best part was, it took me only about ten days to notice significant improvement. I found a few natural remedies for adrenal fatigue while reading the book GAPS, Stage by Stage, With Recipes by Becky Plotner. While I had made other lifestyle and dietary changes, such as following the GAPS diet, getting more sleep, reducing stress, and spending more time in the morning sunlight, nothing compared to the improvement I felt after introducing Becky’s advice to consume a daily, homemade adrenal support shake (not an adrenal cocktail… although I highly recommend these, too!). See the recipe below.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Always check with your doctor before introducing a new diet or lifestyle changes.

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a condition where the adrenal glands do not function optimally by creating the right amount of adrenal hormones at the proper time of day. While adrenal fatigue is often not recognized by the mainstream medical community, the National Institute of Health authored a publication on the use of nutrition and botanicals (plants and herbs) to support the adrenals thus improving overall health. An abstract from their analysis shares:

Research shows a dramatic increase in use of the medical system during times of stress, such as job insecurity. Stress is a factor in many illnesses – from headaches to heart disease, and immune deficiencies to digestive problems. A substantial contributor to stress-induced decline in health appears to be an increased production of stress hormones and subsequent decreased immune function. Non-pharmaceutical approaches have much to offer such patients. This article focuses on the use of nutrients and botanicals to support the adrenals, balance neurotransmitters, treat acute anxiety, and support restful sleep. (source)

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is recognized and diagnosed by natural health practitioners based on a series of symptoms and a saliva test measuring cortisol levels at specific times of the day. Symptoms of adrenal fatigue may include:

• Fatigue and exhaustion, despite sleeping enough
• Weight gain and inability to lose weight
• Salt and sugar cravings
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Brain fog
• Depression
• Caffeine reliance
• Afternoon “crash” of energy
• Thyroid conditions
• Low libido
• Thinning hair
• Decreased immune function (more illness)
• Allergies, digestive issues, inflammation

Cause of Adrenal Fatigue

What causes adrenal fatigue?

Chronic stress over a period of time causes the elevated cortisol levels, or “stress hormones”. While cortisol hormone is essential for survival, it is designed to be secreted for short periods of time, such as during “fight or flight” situations. Our modern lifestyle can keep us in extended periods of stress and lead to “exhaustion” of the adrenals from over secretion. Sources of chronic stress that can lead to adrenal fatigue can come from inflammation from poor diet, mental/emotional stress, environment (toxins, pollutants, etc.), or poor sleep.

Certain other health challenges, such as thyroid disease, depression, or fibromyalgia are often related to an underlying adrenal disfunction. Symptoms of these health concerns might be caused by or made worse by adrenal fatigue. Thus, treating fatigue can improve overall health. (source)

Natural Remedies for Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal Fatigue Diet

Making a few lifestyle changes can work wonders for boosting energy, adrenal function, and eliminating those pesky symptoms, like chronic fatigue, weight gain, inflammation, or anxiety that might feel “normal” to you. While the changes are simple, they do not always create a quick fix to adrenal fatigue. For me, adding in the adrenal support shakes made the biggest difference in recovering from my adrenal fatigue symptoms. Feel free to jump directly to the recipes below, or read on for more education about adrenal fatigue and how to best nourish our adrenals.

Best Foods for Adrenal Fatigue

The GAPS protocol has a solid success record for supporting the adrenals and one of the most effective natural remedies for adrenal fatigue. However, the greater the adrenal fatigue, the longer it can take to recover, and the more the body needs a higher concentration of nutritive support. According to Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD, founder of the GAPS diet, these supports for the adrenals include cholesterol, salt, and more sleep. Good sources of cholesterol are egg yolks, animal fats, fermented kefir cream, and grass-fed butter.

Adrenal Support Shake Recipe

As mentioned above, I attribute this recipe as the game changer of all the natural remedies for adrenal fatigue symptoms (extreme exhaustion, insomnia, joint pain, and dizziness) improve in about ten days. This is a modified recipe from the original in Becky’s recipe book, as her recipe (though very effective), was too fat-concentrated for me to tolerate (I vomited). I recommend starting with the modified recipe and working your way up to Becky’s recipe, as you can tolerate it. This will be a very personalized approach.

Becky’s original recipe:

12 pastured egg yolks
1/2 cup grass fed butter
1 cup kefir/cultured cream
Handful of berries or 2-3T lime juice
1 teaspoon mineral salt.

Modified Adrenal Support Shake Recipe

Additional Natural Remedies for Adrenal Fatigue

1. Sleep, sleep, and more sleep. We cannot heal our adrenals without sufficient sleep. A consistent bedtime of 9pm or earlier is very healing. Two hours prior to bedtime, allow your mind to relax and do not look at blue light screens to help maintain better sleep. As a nursing mom, I find going to bed sooner really does make a difference, even though I wake several times/night.
2. Consume more natural salt. Simply salt your food to taste.
3. Have an adrenal cocktail daily. Adrenal cocktails contain salt, potassium, and whole food vitamin C. You can make a homemade version, or you can buy them. Be sure you use excellent sourcing for your homemade ingredients or store-bought brand. This is my favorite adrenal cocktail and I definitely feel a difference if I miss it. The adrenal cocktails are also something to start slowly with and work your way up to a full serving. I take 2 servings/day. Taking the adrenal cocktail at 10am and 2pm is ideal, but if you are unable to take it around these times, just take it when you are able.
   
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4. Lower your emotional stress. Take time to evaluate sources of stress in your life and look for opportunities to make changes. Add in calming habits into your daily schedule, such as prayer, outdoor time, reading, and resting.
5. Lower your chronic physical stress. This includes minimizing the amount of toxins entering the body through food and personal care products. If you are new to a whole foods diet, download this free, short e-book 10 Steps to an Easier Diet Overhaul – A How To Guide For Families With Picky Eaters.
6. Begin eating more high mineral foods. This will help bring your hormones into balance as your organs are properly nourished.

Resources

Posts

How to Start the GAPS Introduction Diet?
GAPS Diet Milk Kefir Ice Cream
How to Make GAPS Diet Meat Stock?
How to Make Milk Kefir?
Healthy Probiotic Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
High Mineral Foods

Free E-book: 10 Steps to an Easier Diet Overhaul – A How To Guide For Families With Picky Eaters

Favorite book

GAPS, Stage by Stage, With Recipes

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