| | | | | Those with adrenal fatigue often find they feel |
| Adrenal fatigue is a label applied to a collection of | | | | tired when getting up in the morning - even with |
| nonspecific symptoms, such as body aches, | | | | a full night's sleep. They often need stimulants like |
| fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and | | | | caffeine and sugar to 'get going' both in the |
| digestive problems. The term often shows up in | | | | morning and throughout the day. |
| popular health books and on alternative medicine | | | | Physically - The physical symptoms of adrenal |
| Web sites, but it isn't an accepted medical | | | | fatigue are exhaustion not relieved by rest, food |
| diagnosis. | | | | cravings, lethargy and longer recovery times for |
| Causes of Adrenal Fatigue | | | | illnesses. Healing begins by strengthening our body |
| As mentioned earlier, sugar and refined | | | | especially the adrenal glands. Build yourself back up |
| carbohydrates are the main cause of adrenal | | | | physically with healthy eating, vitamin and minerals |
| fatigue. Sugar includes honey, maple syrup, | | | | supplements (especially vitamin C, B complex and |
| fructose, dried fruit, fruit juice and just about | | | | fish oil), rest and relaxation, light exercise, DHEA |
| anything that is sweet. Refined carbohydrates are | | | | and adrenal glandular supplementation. |
| grains that have been ground up or have had the | | | | Emotionally - Loss of self esteem, depression and |
| bran removed. This include products like bread | | | | denial are the emotional signs of adrenal |
| even whole wheat bread, noodles, corn chips, | | | | exhaustion. Building self-esteem, relieving |
| white rice and pretty much anything that comes | | | | depression and dealing with buried negative |
| in a package. Refined foods are broken down by | | | | emotions can revive your positive feelings. |
| grinding and concentration. | | | | Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue |
| Proponents of the adrenal fatigue diagnosis claim | | | | L-Theanine |
| this is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency caused | | | | L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea |
| by chronic stress. The unproven theory behind | | | | that produces a calming effect in the brain. It |
| adrenal fatigue is that your adrenal glands are | | | | works by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid |
| unable to keep pace with the demands of | | | | (GABA) that is a relaxer and creates a sense of |
| perpetual fight-or-flight arousal. As a result, they | | | | well-being. L-theanine may be taken to help |
| can't produce quite enough of the hormones you | | | | modulate mood and relieve stress in many health |
| need to feel good. | | | | conditions (Abe et al. 1995; Kobayashi et al. 1998; |
| Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms | | | | Juneja et al. 1999). |
| People with adrenal fatigue experience extreme | | | | Licorice |
| physical exhaustion and they don't have an | | | | Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) works by blocking the |
| explanation as to why (such as a strenuous | | | | breakdown of hydrocortisone in the liver. the |
| workout). This isn't just everyday tiredness it is | | | | hydrocortisone level then becomes higher, and this |
| extreme exhaustion. | | | | slows down the production of ACTH |
| You Gain Weight Easily - Especially Around the | | | | (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) from the pituitary |
| Middle | | | | gland, giving the adrenals a much-needed rest. |
| People with adrenal fatigue often notice they gain | | | | Licorice is a highly prized medicinal in Chinese |
| weight very easily. They especially notice the | | | | medicine. Glycyrrhiza may be taken in a variety of |
| extra weight around the middle - and it's very | | | | ways, including as a tea. Licorice can the be |
| hard to lose it. | | | | tapered off when adrenal gland function is |
| You Have Difficulty Rising In The Morning | | | | restored. |