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Adrenal Exhaustion and Adrenal Fatigue:            

Just tell me what to take for adrenal fatigue

Do you experience too much stress? Both physical stress and mental stress. If you do, this might be of interest to you. 

If you have symptoms such as tiredness, fearfulness, allergies, frequent influenza, arthritis, anxiety, depression, reduced memory and difficulties in concentrating, insomnia, worn-out, inability to loose weight after extensive efforts, you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue (technically known as hypoadrenia).

There are two stress glands – called the ADRENAL glands. Located on top of your kidneys,

The adrenal glands are involved in a number of physiological functions in the body.  They are involved in pulmonary function, blood sugar metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, central nervous system processes, cardiovascular function, hematological metabolism, hormone production, gastrointestinal function, and liver function. The adrenal glands play an important role in helping the body respond appropriately to changes caused by stress and different emotions.

The adrenal glands produce hormones in a complex symphony that is orchestrated by two structures in the brain called the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.

These glands control many functions from anti-inflammatory (ridding the body of pain and swelling) and immune system protection to balancing fluid and salt levels and controlling minerals (such as potassium), rapid heart rate, regulating blood pressure,  and sleep and awake cycles.  They even act as a back up organs during menopause.  

These glands counter stress by the production of several hormones.   The adrenals don't know the difference between physical and mental stress, they treat both with the same stress hormones.   Every type of stress influences these glands - injury, infection, divorce, finances, job-related stress, irritable peoples, drugs and medications, surgery, pain, illness, poison ivy, extreme cold or heat, giving birth, menstrual cycle., staring into computer monitors, eating junk foods, starvation diets, etc. etc. etc. 

When stress and poor nutrition lead to altered hormone levels, imbalance in endocrine function can lead to substantial fatigue. When you experience stress of any kind, the adrenals start pumping adrenaline and other hormones. These hormones get the blood flowing to the heart and muscles and at the same time pull the blood away from your digestion. They also stimulate the nervous system to speed up the heart rate. They prepare your body for stress.

As you push your body over the years coping with stress, living on caffeine, nicotine, sugar and alcohol with little sleep, the adrenals eventually become exhausted.  In this state, the adrenals don’t produce like they used to:

Things that effect and stress your Adrenal glands:

Symptoms of Adrenal Gland Malfunction:

The following symptoms can occur:

Low energy - weakness, fatigue
Lethargy
Fluid retention
Sleepiness
Insomnia
Tendency to gain weight and unable to lose it (especially around the waist and is sometimes referred to as a pendulous abdomen - sagging and hanging)
Blood sugar problems
Feel better suddenly after a meal
Difficulty getting out of bed, lack of energy which returns from 3-5 PM
Need for mid-afternoon naps 
Nervousness
Anxiety (worry), frequent feelings of stress; Difficulty handling stress
Need for caffeine or stimulants to get going
Salt cravings, fat cravings and cravings for high protein foods such as cheese and meat. 
Hot flashes
Reduced sex drive
Tendency to tremble under pressure
Out of breath when going up stairs
Arthritis
High or low blood pressure 
Allergies
Tendency to get the flu
Pain in the upper back and neck for no reason
Lightheadedness when rising from a lying down position
Unable to remember things

All possible symptoms of adrenal insufficiency:

You may also have: 

Depression
Facial hair on women
Full eyebrows
Receding hairline
Deeper voice
Sparse hair on forearms and lower legs
Atrophy of breasts
Tightness in chest or chest pains
Food or inhalant allergies
Dry and thinning skin
Acne or poor skin
White or discolored patches on skin
Reddish purple stretch marks on the stomach, thighs, buttocks, arms and breasts.
Red checks
Round or moon face
Puffy face and eyes
Dark cycles around eyes
Double chin
Lax ligaments - weak ankles and knees
Weak or brittle bones (due to a loss of calcium and protein)
Buffalo hump (fat pad) at the upper back, lower neck area,
Low body temperature
Unexplained hair loss
Alternating constipation and diarrhea

If you have many of these signs and symptoms, it is time you consider adrenal fatigue as a possible cause once you have ruled out other possible disease.. None of the signs or symptoms by itself can definitively diagnose adrenal fatigue   However, it is definitely something you'll want to consider. It is very often misdiagnosed.   

ADRENAL REJUVENATION

The adrenals need salt (sea salt), healthy fats, vitamin C and copper to run effectively. The red potato offers a great supply of copper (in an enzyme form-called organic copper or tyrosinase). This copper is part of the vitamin C complex but in an enzyme form. 

You can’t just take copper as a supplement, it has to be connected to an enzyme. 

In cooking, some of the vitamin C is destroyed. But even in their cooked form, potatoes are a good source of vitamin C. Dr. Alfred Hess pointed out that orange juice failed to cure scurvy while raw potato juice produced a rapid cure.

Mushrooms also contain this vitamin C copper component as well as many other benefits (anti-tumor). 

When supporting the adrenals, it’s important to get off stimulants like coffee, sugar, etc. All foods with vitamin C complexes are best – leafy greens and other vegetables.  It is  important to get enough sleep,  exercise, and take supplements to optimize adrenal gland functions.   Vitamin C works well and gives the adrenals what they need to become strong again.  But, not just any vitamin C, definitely not ascorbic acid or any laboratory made isolates. 

Get enough sleep and don't over do exercise.  You want to be nice to your body while you build up the adrenal glands.  Remember the purpose of these glands is countering stress so don't over due the physical stress of not getting enough sleep or going to the gym everyday. 

Recommended:    Best vitamins for what to do about stress - 

Three things to help:

1) Supplements Drenamin & Vitamin C - see below

2) Add mineralized salt to your diet - more below

3) Read book about adrenals (which also helps you lose weight.)  Listed below.  Even if you don't need to lose weight, it helps you understand adrenals and how the hormones interact, yes more on that below. 

1) DRENAMIN

Drenamin is a special combination product formulated to help maintain the healthy functioning of the adrenal glands, which are involved in innumerable physiological functions inside the body. 

Drenamin accomplishes this by supplying rich sources of vital nutrients combined with bovineadrenal tissue proteins and bovine adrenal PMG™ extracts.†   By Standard Process

Drenamin was formulated to help maintain the healthy functioning of the adrenals by supplying tissue proteins and nutrients such as vitamins and mineral complexes.  In  addition, the adrenal tissue proteins contain valuable trace elements and amino acids.

Drenamin helps to maintain cellular health by promoting healthy cellular division, growth, repair, and function.

It enhances circulation by providing vitamin P complex, queretin and other naturally occurring bioflavanoids.   The  vitamin P complex contains compounds to help maintain healthy circulation and capillaries , and it works to keep cell membranes permeable so that cells can better accept and exchange nutrients. It supports metabolic efficiency and for normal fat transport and carbohydrate metabolism.  

For Drenamin Product Information: 

Success Story:

Remember when you are using a whole food supplement like Drenamin you are getting a supplement that the body can absorb and use.   Unlike laboratory supplements that you may absorb 1%, these supplements have all the co-factors that food has so that the body can use them.

Order:  Drenamin (90 tablets)
           Drenamin (360 tablets)

VITAMIN C

Vitamin  C   If you're taking Vitamin C but not sure you are getting what you need.  Check out this brand - it is a natural vitamin, a whole food supplement that the body recognizes as food. 

It is not made in a laboratory like a lot of the Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) found on the market that delivers only a fraction of what is a complete Vitamins C..   

Read more about the WSN Vitamin C

SALT

Mineralized Salt  - you need the salt.  The adrenals monitor the mineral content in the body and too much potassium can become a problem.  Thus adding Sea Salt is important.  You can find some at your local health food store.

Testimonial:  This is Chris from McVitamins.com.  I've had a long term adrenal problem which started when I was 12 years old and had Rheumatic Fever.  The doctors at that time prescribed cortisone for the inflammation.  They may have thought they were saving my life, but the bypass of the adrenal glands became a problem.   Adrenal glands get lazy when you artificially add  of their hormones to the body (as do all of the glands) and you wind up with less then perfect glands.   I've always needed to supplement my adrenal glands.    I found the information about taking mineralized salt and gave it a try.  (The information about potassium also indicated as I would eat high potassium foods for "health reasons" - doctors say salt is bad and thus I would take the potassium to counter too much salt in foods. But,  I would  wind up not feeling all that good).   Well, the salt was amazing.  Such a small change. I started by adding a 1/4 teaspoon of the salt to water in the morning and I had much more energy that day.  I also got up in the morning with  energy.  I found out additionally that putting sea salt in drinking water will help your body to actually hydrate - otherwise the body might just let the water go right out again.   So, I added a pinch of Sea Salt to my regular drinking water (I usually have a quart bottle of Fiji Water (I like that the best) and then do as I normally do, drink it during work.  I find I spend much less time in the bathroom and feel much more energized.   Oh, yes, and I sleep better. 

For what I use 

Sea Salt

LEARN MORE ABOUT ADRENALS

Adrenal Type Weight Loss - Dr. Berg's The 7 Principles of Fat Burning

It will give you lots of information about the adrenal conditions, plus how to lose weight and get them working again.

ALSO

Get enough sleep and don't over do exercise.  You want to be nice to your body while you build up the adrenal glands.  

Remember the purpose of these glands is countering stress so don't over do the physical stress or not getting enough sleep or going to the gym everyday.   You get the picture.

For more information about how to eat and help your adrenals 

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