It is common for patients to report low energy as a concern at our initial visits. After ruling out other causes of fatigue, like hypothyroidism and anemia the adrenal glands are another factor to consider. There are many reasons as to why the adrenal glands can become depleted over time which include chronic stress, chronic caffeine use, chronic infections and poor diet. Adrenal fatigue symptoms include, but are not limited to: fatigue, not waking rested, difficulty getting up in the morning, difficulty coping with stress, feeling energetic after 6pm and cravings for sweet and salty. Four point salivary cortisol testing is an invaluable tool that can be used to assess adrenal function throughout the day to see where support is needed in that individual patient. However, a trial with diet and lifestyle modifications, botanical medicine and nutritional supplementation can also be done.
The most important dietary treatment is ensuring you are eating a whole foods diet which is balanced properly with healthy proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It is also important to eliminate caffeine intake from the diet as it is difficult to replenish the adrenal glands if you are still depleting them with caffeine use. Alternatives to coffee include Swiss water decaf coffee, green tea and licorice tea. (It is important to note that green tea does have a small amount of caffeine which is needed to absorb EGCG, a beneficial antioxidant.) Lifestyle treatments include finding reliable coping mechanisms to deal with stress like exercise, yoga, meditation and deep breathing. Vitamin C and B5 are essential nutrients that are specific for replenishing and balancing adrenal function. Other nutrients that can be considered are: B vitamins, magnesium and zinc as these are commonly deficient in patients with adrenal fatigue. Glandulars, which are sourced from bovine adrenal cortrex can help tonify the adrenals when they are severely depleted. Botanical medicines that can be used include Licorice, Siberian ginseng, Ashwagandha and Relora. It is imperative that treatments are individualized to each patient’s needs based on symptoms and lab testing (if completed) to ensure the most therapeutic benefit.
The most important dietary treatment is ensuring you are eating a whole foods diet which is balanced properly with healthy proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It is also important to eliminate caffeine intake from the diet as it is difficult to replenish the adrenal glands if you are still depleting them with caffeine use. Alternatives to coffee include Swiss water decaf coffee, green tea and licorice tea. (It is important to note that green tea does have a small amount of caffeine which is needed to absorb EGCG, a beneficial antioxidant.) Lifestyle treatments include finding reliable coping mechanisms to deal with stress like exercise, yoga, meditation and deep breathing. Vitamin C and B5 are essential nutrients that are specific for replenishing and balancing adrenal function. Other nutrients that can be considered are: B vitamins, magnesium and zinc as these are commonly deficient in patients with adrenal fatigue. Glandulars, which are sourced from bovine adrenal cortrex can help tonify the adrenals when they are severely depleted. Botanical medicines that can be used include Licorice, Siberian ginseng, Ashwagandha and Relora. It is imperative that treatments are individualized to each patient’s needs based on symptoms and lab testing (if completed) to ensure the most therapeutic benefit.
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