Have you ever woken up from a full seven hours of sleep only to feel as if you only received two? This weak drowsiness then makes you crave a cup of coffee in hopes that it will help provide some energy, but unfortunately, this effect is only temporary. As time passes, you feel your body ache and your once-sharp-mind loses its focus. At this point, you decide to talk to a conventional medical professional and they perform blood tests only to show a low production of hormones in your adrenal glands. So, what could this mean?
First, it’s important to understand the purpose of the adrenal glands. These are small, walnut-shaped glands located on the top of both kidneys. Their purpose is to create hormones to regulate the body’s metabolism, blood pressure, immune system, and response to stress. So, when test results show that one has a low level of hormonal production, what could be happening? Technically, this can mean a couple of things. Either you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Addison’s disease, which occurs when the immune system attacks the adrenal glands and lowers its hormone production. Another possibility is that you have likely developed adrenal fatigue; a condition in which chronic stress wears out the adrenal glands, slowing their production. Now think, have you recently felt extreme feelings of distress or other emotions? If the answer is yes, then it’s likely that you have developed the latter.
Unfortunately, this condition isn’t recognized in conventional medicine. Therefore, if your medical doctors are having issues diagnosing your condition, this could be the reason. However, at LifeWorks Wellness Center, we treat multiple adrenal fatigue patients on a daily basis. Treatments for this condition can vary based on the patient’s symptoms, although it’s not uncommon for these patients to share one thing in common: nutritional deficiencies. One major treatment tactic that we will use to help heal one’s adrenal fatigue is to place them on a supplement regimen. Listed below are a few supplements that can greatly benefit adrenal fatigue patients.
Supplements For Adrenal Fatigue
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin Bs are considered an essential supplement in both managing adrenal fatigue and preventing it. This is because each of the vitamins and minerals within the vitamin B complex contain vital qualities to support the adrenals. Studies show that they can help stabilize mood, DNA and energy production. Additionally, a lack in B vitamins can cause various physiological conditions such as elevated HDL cholesterol, hypertension, vertigo, and hyperthyroidism. Specifically, Vitamin B5 has proven to be combative towards anxiety and stress while B6 has shown to improve cognition and decrease depression. A blog published by Vitagene explains that B5 can help regulate cortisol levels in the bloodstream. When digested, it is converted into coenzyme A (pantothenic acid) which plays a significant role in stabilizing the adrenal glands and protecting the body from an imbalance of cortisol¹. Other B vitamins can drastically decrease or eliminate symptoms of adrenal fatigue by developing strong cell growth, boosting energy levels, enhance cardiovascular health, build muscle tone, and protect against autoimmunity.
Vitamin C
While vitamin C is widely known for repairing body tissues and building strong immunity, it is also beneficial in assisting the body’s stress response system. The adrenal glands need vitamin C in order to properly manufacture the hormones produced in the body. Vitamin C is especially important in controlling the production of cortisol and stabilizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) Axis. This axis is the connection between the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus and the adrenal glands, and how they interact together to combat stress. Patients that encounter chronic stress will have depleted levels of vitamin C, which means this vital mineral needs to be replenished in the system for the adrenal glands to function properly.
Magnesium
Most people know magnesium as a supplement that encourages strong bones, muscle support and the enhancement of heart health. However, what many are unaware of is its role in stress management. Magnesium is the fourth most important mineral because it is responsible for approximately 300 biochemical reactions. For those with adrenal fatigue, studies show that magnesium can help calm nerves and reduce stress levels, thus taking a lot of weight off of the adrenal glands. Furthermore, adrenal fatigue is listed as a symptom of magnesium deficiency. Since the presence of this mineral can rehabilitate the hormonal system and regulate cortisol levels, this will ensure that the hormones remain balanced and hypertension is reduced.
Other Essential Supplements
Other supplements that have proven to benefit adrenal health include zinc, vitamin E, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids, licorice and amino acids. Although, prior to taking any of these supplements, LifeWorks recommends consulting with a practitioner to discuss one’s adrenal fatigue. Severity of adrenal fatigue can vary from patient-to-patient, thus it’s important that the right supplement regimen is provided based on symptoms. Additionally, every supplement regimen may involve different methods of how they should be taken to prevent an overdose or undersupply. From there, the patient will be subject to a treatment plan alongside a supplement regimen that may include any of the vitamins mentioned above and others.
If you or someone that you know are experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue and interested in a supplement regimen, please call to schedule an appointment with a LifeWorks practitioner at 727-466-6789.
