Adrenal nutrition and natural remedies for adrenal fatigue

About the Adrenal Glands

• Mineralocorticoids: hormones triggered by the kidneys. These hormones regulate the balance of salt to water within the body and help to maintain blood pressure.
• Glucocorticoids: hormones triggered by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. These hormones increase blood glucose levels, regulate the conversion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into energy, help to regulate blood pressure, and regulate immune response and inflammatory reactions.
• Gonadocorticoids: sex hormones. Small amounts of sex hormones are released by the adrenal cortex. After middle age, the adrenals become the primary source of sex hormones.

• Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline): Epinephrine is the fight or flight hormone. It increases your heart rate, raises your blood sugar, and rushes blood to the muscles and the brain.
• Norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline): Norepinephrine works with epinephrine.

Major Illnesses Associated with Adrenal Glands

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a genetic disorder that disrupts hormone levels from the adrenals.
• Addison's disease:a rare disorder that disrupts production of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
• Cushing's syndrome: an uncommon disorder where the adrenals overproduce cortisol.
• Adrenal cancer: an aggressive rare cancer that causes excess production of hormones.

Adrenal Fatigue

• Hypothyroidism
• Lowered libido
• Immunity reduction
• Low blood pressure

• Licorice: Sometimes used alone, sometimes in conjunction with Panax ginseng and Bupleurum falcatum--especially used for people who have damaged adrenal output by long term steroid use. Warning: licorice can raise blood pressure.
• Rhodiola: Adaptogen--helps the body adapt to stress.
• Shisandra: Also an adaptogen--helps the body adapt to stress.
• Holy Basil: Also an adaptogenic--helps the body adapt to stress.
• Ashwagandha root: Increases in T3 and T4, supports thyroid and adrenals, balances hormones.
• Astragalus: Improves immune system, adrenal function, and reduces stress.
• Ginseng Root: Revitalizes the adrenals and balances hormones.

• B-complex - especially B5: While those suffering from adrenal fatigue need B5 more than the other B vitamins, it is best to take B complex because B vitamins work together.
  
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an important part of a healthy immune system, but its critical role in adrenal function is no less valuable and far less well known. We recommend getting your vitamin C naturally, and it's even better when it's with other nutrients.
  
• Adrenal extracts: Not for vegans obviously, but bovine desiccated adrenal is a popular and effective way to get adrenal nutrition into the body.
  

Natural protocol for adrenal fatigue

Michael Edwards is the founder, owner, editor-in-chief, and janitor for Organic Lifestyle Magazine and Green Lifestyle Market. At age 17, Michael weighed more than 360 pounds. He suffered from ADHD, allergies, frequent bouts of illness, and chronic, debilitating insomnia. Conventional medicine wasn't working. While he restored his health through alternative medicine he studied natural health and became immersed in it.