Adrenals are essential for metabolic performance.
Your Adrenal Glands are absolutely vital to your wellbeing. We each have two of them, and they play a hugely important role in producing the hormones that we need, particularly during times of stress.
Located at the top of each kidney, the adrenal glands produce hormones that help the body control blood sugar, burn protein and fat, react to stressors like a major illness or injury, and regulate blood pressure. Two of the most important adrenal hormones are cortisol and aldosterone. They also manufacture and secrete some of sex hormones – estrogen and testosterone.
The main purpose of your adrenals is to enable your body to deal with stress from every possible source, ranging from injury and disease to work and relationship problems. They largely determine the energy of your body’s responses to every change in your internal and external environment. Whether they signal attack, retreat or surrender, every cell responds accordingly, and you feel the results. It is through the actions of the adrenal hormones that your body is able to mobilise its resources to escape or fight off danger (stress) and survive. In a more primitive society that would mean being able to run away quickly, fight or pursue in enemy or game, endure long periods of physical challenge and deprivation, and store up physical reserves when they are available.
In modern society, these same responses are triggered by such circumstances as a difficult boss, air pollution, family quarrels, financial problems, too little sleep, infections and overindulgence in or sensitivities to food or substance abuse. If your adrenal function is low, as it is in adrenal fatigue, your body has difficulty responding and adapting properly to these stresses. This can lead to a variety of physical and psychological health problems that are themselves a further source of stress. Some signs are:
- Tiredness especially mid afternoon
- Rely on coffee to get going
- Weight gain around middle
- Poor memory
- PMS, heavy bleeding
- Mild depression or anxiety
- Multiple food and or inhalant allergies
- Lethargy, lack of stamina
- Low blood sugar
- Low body temperature
- Palpitations
- Unexplained hair loss
- Alternating diarrhoea or constipation
Chronic stress is very common in western society. The most common causes of stress are work pressure, changing jobs, death of a loved one, moving homes, illness, and marital disruption. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the amount of stress overextends the capacity of the body to compensate and recover.
Some of you might just accept that this is life, however I can’t ‘stress’ enough (pardon the pun) that extended periods of Adrenal Fatigue (stress) can actually run out of ways to manufacture stress hormones, and cortisol levels finally begin to drop. Now, the levels of both the sex hormones and the stress hormones are low. Levels of neurotransmitters are often also low. This is what is sometimes called ‘burnout’ (a term coined by Dr. Fredenberger), and it is what happens when we finally crash after a long period of coping with stress.
Where are your adrenal glands?
Although you might think they would be symmetrical, this is actually not the case. The right adrenal gland is triangular shaped, whereas the left adrenal gland is shaped more like a half-moon. They are approximately 2.5 inches long and 1 inch wide, and they have a yellowish colour.
The adrenal glands sit just above your kidneys, which are in the middle of your lower back area. You have one adrenal gland for each kidney.
Why are the adrenals located next to the kidneys? This is because they have a strong influence on your kidney function (as well as many other things) through the secretion of aldosterone. The word ‘adrenal’ actually comes from the Latin ‘ad renes’, meaning near the kidney.
What specifically does the gland do?
There are key roles that the Adrenal Glands perform, in particular;
- Production of DHEA and other sex hormones
Hormones like DHEA, DHEA-S and androstenedione are produced and secreted as needed. In men, these hormones can be converted into testosterone within the testes. In women, the adrenal glands are the primary source of these androgens (‘male’ sex hormones), and so they play a much more important role. - Production of corticosteroids
Cortisol and its related compounds are vitally important hormones that we literally cannot live without. They control our sleep/waking cycle, they suppress inflammation, they help us generate energy from non-carbohydrate foods and they even regulate our blood pressure. - Production of mineralocorticoids
Mineralocorticoids like aldosterone, regulates our fluid and mineral excretion. - Production of catecholamines (neurotransmitters)
The medulla secretes three different catecholamines, including epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine, and dopamine. Also known as neurotransmitters, these stress hormones generate the primitive stress response that helps to keep us alive in moments of trauma or danger.
When under stress, our brains send a signal to the adrenal glands which react instantly by releasing these stress hormones. Among other things, they slow down our digestion, increase our awareness and divert blood flow to important areas like our brain and muscles.
The Adrenal Gland is part of a complex relationship with the Hypothalamus ad the Pituitary Gland – called the HPA Axis. This relationship is an absolutely indispensable part of our existence. It’s a complicated subject, and the way that the adrenals, the pituitary gland, and hypothalamus interact with each other has been the subject of considerable research.
Here is an example of how the HPA Axis works when faced with stress:
- We begin with the stressor. That could be a moment of imminent physical danger, or it could be simply thinking about a public speaking engagement next week. Whichever it is, the reaction from your body is pretty much the same.
- Next, your hypothalamus releases corticotrophin-releasing hormone, which sends a message to the pituitary. This stimulates the pituitary’s ACTH production, which then prompts your adrenals to make cortisol. Among other things, cortisol raises the sugar in your bloodstream and prepares your body for the high-energy ‘fight-or-flight’ response that it is anticipating. Your adrenals also release adrenaline, which raises your heart rate and increases your blood pressure.
- These interactions continue until your hormones reach the levels that your body needs, and then a series of chemical reactions begins to switch them off. For example the cortisol released by the adrenals actually inhibits the hypothalamus and pituitary (so they stop sending signals to produce more cortisol!). This is just one of the automatic switches that we call negative feedback loops, and these loops are one reason why the HPA axis is so extraordinary.
So what happens when you have severe adrenal fatigue? Well, those signals might still get sent from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, and from the pituitary gland to the adrenal glands. But when the message reaches your adrenals, nothing happens. The adrenal glands have become so depleted that they are unable to release or produce the hormones that you need to react to a stressful situation. In fact, our body constantly needs the hormones that the adrenal glands produce. When they become this worn out, we find that many of our hormone levels begin to drop. Other parts of the endocrine system attempt to compensate for the weakened adrenals (such as our Progesterone levels), but that only leads to lower hormone and neurotransmitter levels elsewhere (like PMS which is a by-product of low progesterone which was converted into cortisol to support adrenal depletion). Soon, we start to feel constantly tired and lethargic, and exhibit the typical symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
Steps to address adrenal burn out
Treatment for adrenal fatigue involves reducing stress on your body and your mind. Stressor can come from other places, not just all emotional. For instance eliminating toxins from our lifestyle, exercising mindfully, and replenishing your body with healthy food and positive thoughts.
Adrenal Fatigue Diet
In every case of adrenal recovery, diet is a huge factor. Removing any foods and toxins or chemicals as well as increasing foods that support and restore adrenal function.
- Caffeine: This can interfere with your sleep cycle and make it hard for your adrenals to recover. It’s like putting your foot to the floor in car whose engine has burnt out. You’re making the adrenals work too hard.
- Sugar and sweeteners: Avoid sugary foods, cereals, sweets, etc. Be aware that sugar is an additive in many breads, condiments and dressings. Try to avoid as much extra sugar as possible.
- Processed and microwaved foods: Try to buy whole foods and prepare them yourself. Otherwise seek advise from a practitioner on how best to have ready made meals which are healthy.
- Hydrogenated oils: Vegetable oils like soybean, canola and corn oil are highly inflammatory and can lead to adrenal inflammation. Try to only use good fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, organic butter or ghee.
- Dairy reduces estrogen receptor sensitivity. Hypersensitivity can lead to heavy periods, excess estrogen, endometriosis, PMS, period pain, migraines, anxiety, insomnia, acne and weight gain. Inflammation is a problem for PCOS because it impedes ovulation, disrupts hormone receptors, and stimulates adrenal androgens such DHEA and androstenedione.
- Gluten and A1 casein (dairy protein) both disrupt immune function and stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines. It’s an effective treatment for all inflammatory diseases in general, and for endometriosis and PCOS in particular.
- Too much soy, because it is anti-estrogen and can block ovulation in some women.
Increase nutrient-dense foods that are easy to digest and have healing qualities.
Eating every 1-2 hours is critical.
- Dates
- Celery
- Coconut
- Olives
- Avocado
- Cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc.)
- Fatty fish (e.g., wild-caught salmon)
- Chicken (organic)
- Nuts, such as walnuts and almonds
- Seeds, such as pumpkin, chia and flax
- Kelp and seaweed
- Celtic or Himalayan sea salt
- Wild Blueberries
Adrenals Support
This can be beneficial as sometimes food alone is not able to restore heavily depleted adrenal function. As a herbalist I use strong preparations designed to nourish the adrenals back to full function. This can take as long as 2 yrs with Chronic cases.
- Withania (Ashwagandha)
- Holy basil
- Fish oil (EPA/DHA)
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B5 B6
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D3
- Zinc
Taking these supplements in their activated form could greatly improve your symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.
Adrenal Fatigue Stress Reduction.
The last and most important key to restoring your adrenal function is to heed your mind and stress needs. Pay attention to your body!
- Rest when you feel tired as much as possible.
- Sleep 8–10 hours a night.
- Avoid staying up late and stay on a regular sleep cycle — ideally, in bed before 10 p.m.
- Laugh and do something fun every day.5. Minimise work and relational stress.
- Exercise (even moderate exercise and walking can help).
- Avoid negative people and self-talk.
- Take time for yourself (do something relaxing).
- Seek counsel or support for any traumatic experiences.
- YOGA, YOGA and YOGA…. whether it’s Yin or Vinyasa or Pranyama Breathing, they all will help restore adrenals
Let’s talk about “self-talk” for a minute.
Our bodies are made to heal. However, the words we say have a great impact on our body and our ability to heal. Regardless of what diet and supplements you take, your environment is one of the most important components. So, be kind to yourself. Try to avoid saying negative things about yourself and others. It’s important to choose to be around positive people and stay positive about yourself as well.
Improve detoxification
All hormones must be detoxified by the Liver and bowel. An important part of this process is your B vitamins, selenium and glycine. Alcohol consumption, exposure to heavy metals, chemicals in our food and environment and personal skin care all compromise the livers ability to detoxify. Your intestinal bacteria assists estrogen’s to be eliminated however many people have poor microbiomes after excessive use of antibiotics, poor diets and excessive stress.
Inner Alchemy has adrenals covered
Here at Inner Alchemy, we make amazing hormone balancing remedies, tea’s and essential oil blends to help balance the Root Chakra – which is based around the Adrenals.
- Mula Body Oil and Body Lotion – Bergamot, Rosewood, Myrrh, Virginian Cedarwood
- Stresso Tonic – Ashwaganda (Withania), Californian Poppy, Skullcap, Valerian
- Lift-Up Tonic – Ashwaganda (Withania), Licorice, Siberian Ginseng, Rhodiola
- Mula-T – (herbal tea) -Holy Basil, Nettle, Oatstraw, Schisandra, Linden
Balancing hormones can be quick once you know what is happening. Sometimes you need help figuring this out. Part of our Metabolic Coaching here at Inner Alchemy helps to cut through the roadblocks stoping out metabolism by addressing adrenals from the outset.
