Adrenal Fatigue

This first time I heard about adrenal fatigue was when a friend was diagnosed by their family practitioner.  Not knowing what adrenal fatigue was I researched it and now it seems as if information on it is everywhere I turn.  So why am I bringing this up?  Well I believe that adrenal fatigue can play a huge role in why some people can't seem to lose weight and/or don't have the energy to exercise.

So what's an adrenal?
-Adrenal glands are in all mammals and are endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys.  The main purpose of the glands are to release hormones in response to stress through the synthesis of corticosteroids (like cortisol) and catecholamines (like epinephrine and norepinephrine).  Adrenal glands mobilize these hormones as a response to every kind of stress (physical, emotional, or psychological) to help you cope.  If you have constant job stress, chronic pain, relationship stress, or are just overwhelmed with life your adrenals are working pretty hard to just maintain homeostasis.

So how can you tell if your adrenals are fatigued?
-If you feel chronically tired.
-If you frequently are ill and have a hard time recovering quickly.
-If you have brain fog.
-If you have alcohol intolerance (you seem to become drunk after only a glass of wine or have a hangover even if you haven't drank a lot).
-If you are jumpy or overwhelmed by stimuli.
These are just some of the most common symptoms but if you google fatigued adrenal symptoms there are several more that come up.  Honestly I believe that in our society most everyone suffers unknowingly from some degree of adrenal fatigue.

So what should you do to recharge your adrenals?
-Eat a healthy, well balanced diet with plenty of protein and fat.  Like a whole30 diet! :)
-Set aside time to relax each day.  Drink a cup of chamomile tea before bed, sit in the sun, snuggle with a dog, cat, or human, take a bath, etc.
-Go to bed at the same time every night.  I know this one is tough but at least being in bed around the same time with all electronics off is what I try to shoot for.
-Replenish electrolytes.  And no you do not need Gatorade to so this.  Try coconut water or simply a wedge of lemon in water.
There are definitely other things you can do so research it a little and see what works for you!

This is obviously a very simplified explanation of adrenal fatigue and it goes without saying that I am not a doctor just a girl with a laptop so please seek medical advice.

Do you think you suffer from adrenal fatigue?  Is there anything more that should be touched on?