Adrenal fatigue symptoms and seven ways to support and heal your adrenal glands

Thursday, October 31, 2013 by: Sue Woledge
Tags: adrenal fatigue, support, nutrition

(NaturalNews) In our modern world, adrenal fatigue is extremely common and estimated by some experts to affect approximately 80 percent of the population to some degree. Adrenal fatigue is caused by all types of stress - physical and emotional - and if left unchecked, it can lead to other illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, thyroid disease and heart attack.

The symptoms caused by adrenal fatigue are numerous and varied. The following are some of the more common ones:

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Diarrhea
• Frequent urination
• Thyroid issues
• Salt cravings
• Sugar cravings
• Insomnia
• Waking tired
• Needing caffeine to 'get going' in the morning
• Feeling stressed
• Inability to handle stress
• Overthinking (having a brain that won't turn off)
• Dizziness when rising from seated or lying position
• Fluid retention in feet and ankles
• Low blood pressure

As you can see, adrenal fatigue can cause many symptoms and eventually lead to many health challenges. However, the good news is that there are plenty of things we can do to support our adrenal glands to help return them to a healthy state.

Reduce or eliminate stimulants

Stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and drugs cause a stress response in the body and, if used chronically, will wear out the adrenal glands. Those who feel that they need their morning coffee should understand that, although it might feel as though caffeine is helping, it is actually stealing their health by exacerbating their adrenal fatigue.

Practice meditation

Meditating daily can help reduce stress levels. Finding even 10 or 15 minutes a day to quiet the mind by meditation has been proven to be of benefit for reducing stress.

Clean up your diet

Eating a highly processed diet creates stress in the body. Many people don't consider the stress caused to the body by eating processed foods. Processed foods contain chemicals that have no place in the body, such as preservatives, colors, stabilizers and more. These chemicals can have negative effects on the various systems of the body and add additional waste products that need to either be eliminated or stored.

Make good use of adaptogenic herbs

There are a number of adaptogens that are useful for the adrenal glands. These herbs can be taken in the form of teas, tinctures, powders or capsules and include:

• Rhodalia
• Ashwaganda
• Tulsi, or Holy basil
• Korean Ginseng
• He Shou Wu
• Licorice (Note: Licorice can raise blood pressure)

Make time to relax

Take time to chill out and make the time to do the things that you love doing and make you happy.

Eat more salt

Adrenal glands love salt. Buy a good quality, unprocessed salt, such as Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt, and use it liberally.

Try this adrenal cocktail

Try taking this adrenal cocktail either before bed if you suffer from insomnia or upon rising if you have trouble getting going in the morning. It really works!

1/2 cup orange juice (or another form of vitamin C)
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
Mix and drink.

Finally, don't watch horror movies and don't do things that get your adrenaline pumping. They will simply cause more stress for your already overworked adrenal glands, leaving you feeling tired and wired.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.drlam.com

http://www.adrenalfatigue.org

http://holisticprimarycare.net

http://mahashakti.co.uk

http://www.project-meditation.org

About the author:
Sue Woledge is a natural therapist, writer and the owner of www.ahealthymeal.com and here.