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Adrenal fatigue is a condition caused by a poorly working adrenal gland in people who are under mental, emotional or physical stress.

Generally, this condition is not recognized by conventional medicine; it is a subclinical condition. To this end, conventional medicine only recognizes Addison’s Disease, which is a much more severe kind of adrenal disease.

Adrenal glands are a pair of peanut size glands which sit on top of both kidneys

Adrenal fatigue is a condition caused by a poorly working adrenal gland in people who are under mental, emotional or physical stress.

Generally, this condition is not recognized by conventional medicine; it is a subclinical condition. To this end, conventional medicine only recognizes Addison’s Disease, which is a much more severe kind of adrenal disease.

Adrenal glands are a pair of peanut size glands which sit on top of both kidneys like caps.

In case of Addison’s disease, adrenal glands do not make enough hormones. Unlike adrenal fatigue, this is an illness that doctors can test and recognize. In most cases of this disease, the adrenal glands have been damaged by the immune system.

This syndrome has been known by many other names throughout the past century, such as non-Addison’s Hypoadrenia, sub-clinical Hypoadrenia, Neurasthenia, Adrenal Neurasthenia, Adrenal Apathy and adrenal fatigue. Although it affects millions of people around the world, conventional medicine still refuses to even identify it.

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

Trouble getting out of bed
Chronic tiredness, even after you wake up in the morning (always feeling tired)
Trouble thinking clearly or finishing your tasks (Brain fog)
Hair loss
Hormone imbalance
Weakened stress response
Insulin resistance
Lightheadedness
Decreased sex drive/libido
Moodiness and irritability
Depression
Muscle or bone loss
Skin ailments
Sleep disturbances
Weight gain
Sweet and salty food cravings
Autoimmune conditions
People suffering from the adrenal fatigue look and act relatively normal and may not have any obvious signs of physical illness, yet they live with a general sense of unwellness, tiredness or low feelings. People experiencing adrenal fatigue often have to use coffee, colas and other stimulants to get going in the morning and to carry themselves up during the day.

Changes occur in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, heart and cardiovascular system, and sex drive.

causes of Adrenal fatigue:

Stressful experiences like death of loved one, divorce or surgery
Exposure to environmental toxins and pollution
Prolonged stress due to financial hardship, bad relationships or work environment, and other conditions that lead to feelings of helplessness
Negative thinking and emotional trauma
Lack of sleep
Poor diet (including crash diets and inconsistent nutrition) and lack of exercise
Pain
Food sensitivities
Surgery
Reliance on stimulants like caffeine or energy drinks
Rheumatoid arthritis
How to treat:

a) Follow diet

Diet is crucial.  First, start by removing any hard-to-digest foods and any toxins or chemicals in your environment.

The idea is to remove anything that stresses adrenals. Foods to avoid include:

Caffeine

Sugar and sweeteners: Includes avoiding high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners as well. Avoid sugary foods, cereals, candy, sweets, etc. Remember that sugar is an additive in bread, condiments, and dressings. Avoid as much extra sugar as possible. Use raw honey or stevia as an alternative, and always use sweeteners of any kind in moderation.

Carbohydrates: Gluten, Starchy Carbs should be avoided.

Processed and microwaved foods:

Processed meats:

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.

Add nutrient-dense foods that are easy to digest and have healing qualities. Some of the top superfoods for adrenal health include:

Coconut
Olives
Avocado and other healthy fats
Cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc.)
Fatty fish
Free-range chicken
Nuts, such as walnuts and almonds
Seeds, such as pumpkin, chia, and flax
Kelp and seaweed
Himalayan sea salt
Fermented foods rich in probiotics
Mushrooms
b) Oral Nutritional supplements and Intravenous high-dose Vitamin C drips with Glutathione are highly useful

c) IV / Oral chelation, wherever needed is very helpful

d) Reduce stress

Dr Kalpana Shehawat M.D.

Functional Medicine Specialist

BHRT Consultant