Medically review by Kim Langdon
Adrenal fatigue - also known as the stress syndrome - is a condition believed to be caused by poorly functioning adrenal glands.
The push and pull, high-stress, little free time, and the sense of urgency we face day-to-day has the ability to tear us down, and it can wear on our adrenal glands.
These glands are responsible for hormone production, and they help us respond accordingly to stress (i.e. to cope).
In an ideal world, these hormones are happy and healthy and regulated - not too much and not too little.
Alas, when our hormone-producing adrenals are "fatigued," they function much like we do when we're sleep-deprived and exhausted: inefficiently.
If you have a hunch that your adrenal glands might be suffering, and you want to address the issue, it's always wise to see your primary health care practitioner, a functional medicine practitioner or a naturopath to get an accurate diagnosis.
When it comes to treatment, fortunately, this lifestyle-induced condition has a lifestyle cure, and many people believe in taking a holistic approach to healing.
The natural supplements and nutrients listed below all have health benefits that support adrenal health and play an important role in recovery from adrenal related fatigue and other stress symptoms.
You can read more about the symptoms of adrenal fatigue here.
1. Vitamin C
Adrenal fatigue stems from stress, so cortisol plays a huge part in both diagnosis and recovery.
Cortisol is the stress hormone, and the more of it our bodies use, the more vitamin C - or ascorbic acid - we need!
Vitamin C actually acts as an antioxidant in the adrenal cortex, so it's incredibly important to the functioning of the adrenals overall.
Of course, vitamin C is most widely known for immune support (which can be compromised by adrenal fatigue), so you'll double up by fighting off one of the most pressing symptoms of adrenal fatigue: increased sick days and longer recovery time.
How to supplement for adrenal support:
2. Vitamin E
The reason why vitamin E is important is because of its enzymatic reactions. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and lessens the damage of free radicals in the adrenals.
It works in conjunction with vitamin C to support recovery; vitamin C gives 'energy' to vitamin E by increasing its cellular activity and ability to take down those pesky free radicals.
Because of its uncanny free radical-fighting abilities, vitamin E is also known for anti-aging benefits and healthy, supple skin due to less oxidative stress in the body.
How to supplement for adrenal support:
3. Magnesium
Did you know almost 80% of people are deficient in magnesium?
This important mineral is one of the most crucial for a night of good sleep and adrenal fatigue recovery alike; it has a lot to do with energy flow in our cells.
Magnesium can be especially helpful for those of you who feel like you're under a significant amount of stress and are maybe in the beginning stages of adrenal fatigue because it can be useful as a preventative measure.
How to supplement for adrenal support:
4. B vitamins
B vitamins cover a broad range of specific adrenal concerns. Pantothenic acid - a B-complex vitamin - is needed like magnesium for energy maintenance and production.
Moreover, it works well - and is even necessary - in conjunction with the three supplements we've already mentioned!
How to supplement for adrenal support:
5. Fermented cod liver oil
Fermented cod liver oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. The connection to adrenal fatigue?
Often, the standard Western diet means our bodies contain an unbalanced ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s.
This means inflammation spikes in the body, and the adrenals are responsible for managing that!
By ensuring that we're getting quality omega-3 fatty acids into our diet - and a little vitamin D doesn't hurt - FCLO can help you to take some of the workload off the adrenals.
How to supplement for adrenal support:
6. Ashwagandha root
This 'ancient' medicine called ashwagandha is something we're fans of here at Happy Body Formula, and we're big believers in its adaptogenic properties - especially the way it impacts the body's resilience to stress!
Considering adrenal fatigue is determined by too-high or too-low levels of hormones, an adaptogen only makes sense as the purpose is to restore the body/its functions to "normal."
Since stress and the hormones released in its presence play an obvious role in the eventual diagnosis of adrenal inefficiency, addressing stress levels is often one of the first steps in recovery.
Adrenal fatigue can be recovered from if you're focused on lifestyle 'cures,' and using ashwagandha has been proven to reduce stress levels and increase the quality of life.
This study also shows that it possesses the ability to reduce cortisol levels in the adrenals.
How to supplement for adrenal support:
7. Licorice root
This herb is one of the most powerful natural stress remedies, so without question, it is highly welcomed by the adrenals!
Licorice is known to strengthen cortisol levels which helps this root get to the 'root' of things.
It also helps to address additional complications we might see due to adrenal fatigue like inflammation, a weakened immune system, nervous stomach, and hypoglycaemia.
How to supplement for adrenal support:
8. Salt
If you're avoiding salt, fat and whatever else the food industry has deemed 'bad' for you but you're feeling rather low with adrenal fatigue symptoms, it may just be part of the problem.
We talked a bit about fatty acid balance above, but where does salt come in?
A telltale sign that something might be up with your hormones is a salt craving, and this applies to every stage of adrenal fatigue.
Another symptom? Low blood pressure; too little salt can cause low blood pressure but too much can contribute to high blood pressure.
Salt: it could actually be good for you.
How to supplement for adrenal support:
9. Digestive enzymes
Considering the focus on a real food diet, we want to move away from refined carbohydrates and oils and place the emphasis on quality animal proteins and fibrous, green, nutrient-dense veggies.
One of the main problems is the way that protein irritates many people's stomachs because adrenal fatigue is often associated with low levels of hydrochloric acid.
The way to address this is with digestive enzymes, which can help HCL in the digestive process and an increased ability to breakdown protein and promote healthy digestion.
How to supplement for adrenal support:
10. Green tea
One of the primary drivers of the continuous and relentless cycle of adrenal fatigue is caffeine and overconsumption of it.
We're afraid to 'crash' harder than we already are each day, so we keep sipping cup after cup of coffee late into the day!
If you think adrenal fatigue sounds familiar, we suggest cutting out caffeine entirely or switching over to green tea if you continue using caffeine at all.
It has antioxidants and plenty of well-known anti-cancer benefits.
It's a great alternative if you are avoiding the mess of going through caffeine withdrawal but still need a 'healthy' boost.
How to supplement for adrenal support:
- Ditch coffee for green tea or herbal tea entirely.
- Don't overdo the green tea! Limit caffeine intake to the mornings and to one or two cups so that it doesn't interfere with sleep; sleep is vital to adrenal fatigue recovery.
Do you have any experience with holistic supplementation for adrenal support? Share your experience below, and spread the word to your friends who might need a "boost."
This article was fact checked for accuracy by Dr. Kim Langdon, MD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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The Endocrine Society. Hormone Health Netowrk. Hormones and Health. Myth vs Fact. Adrenal Fatigue. Available from : http://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/myth-vs-fact/adrenal-fatigue. Accessed 23 Aug 2016.
Wilson JL. Adrenal Fatigue the 21st Century Stress Syndrome. 1 2001.
Gold SM, Kruger S, Ziegler KJ, Krieger T, Schulz KH, Otte C, Heesen C. Endocrine and immune substrates of depressive symptoms and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients with comorbid major depression. J Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2011;82:814–818. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2010.230029.
Kimberly Langdon M.D. is a retired University-trained obstetrician/gynecologist with 19-years of clinical experience. She delivered over 2000 babies to mothers in a suburban Midwestern community.
