Why Everyone Needs Adrenal Support Right Now
Your adrenals could use some love, friend! Even if you haven’t had a medical diagnosis yet, or did and were told they are fine, I’m here to tell you, they probably aren’t.
Your adrenals are under siege right now from chronic stress, irregular sleep, and estrogen fluctuations as you approach 40 and after. Don’t wait for things to fall apart and a medical diagnosis to take charge of your wellness.
Supporting your whole self before your parts break down is a radical act of self-care, so let’s look at what it means to take care of your adrenal glands. These two fortune cookie-looking glands sit above each kidney and are part of a complex system called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This axis is basically the communication center for the brain and stress glands, working together to regulate stress response and hormonal balance.
You may (or may not) notice when that center becomes disregulated or dysfunctional, but as the effects compound, you’ll gradually lose your ability to cope with stress well and you may become more anxiety-prone, your internal temperature may be thrown off where you may feel cold or you may sweat under your armpits all of the time, or you may feel very tired, relying on naps or reaching for quick energy (coffee, sweets, carbs) more and more often.
The adrenal glands don’t really get ‘tired’ in the way that you might expect. As the demand for cortisol increases, the ratio of various hormones gets thrown off and it becomes more and more difficult for your body to produce the required levels of stress hormones, sex hormones, and other hormones and neurotransmitters. “Adrenal fatigue” doesn’t adequately encompass the impact to the entire HPA loop.
On the flip side, when your adrenals are functioning optimally, they are: producing cortisol as needed for the occasional or unforeseen crisis, aiding the estrogen production in your body, and maintaining the intricate balance in production of other sex hormones and stress hormones. They help you feel calm yet alert all day. In other words, you rely on these glands being in good working order… and I’m here to say you’ll feel better if you give them some support.
You can support your adrenals (and the entire HPA axis) by addressing the 7 areas I’ve outlined as part of the Adrenal Diet below. By making some tweaks, you’ll avoid more severe symptoms like severe fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, sweet or salty cravings, increased energy in evening, and other symptoms commonly attributed to HPA axis dysfunction (or adrenal fatigue).
Ideal Adrenal Diet
The Ideal Adrenal Diet consists of 7 areas to evaluate. Choose a few that may be right for you, or dive deeper with a health coach into a more comprehensive protocol.
Remove endocrine disrupting chemicals - These chemicals wreak havoc in your body and particularly impact the HPA axis. Upgrade these 5 common sources of endocrine disruptors.
Eat right - Learn what’s best for you and how to use food as medicine. Food is information to your genes, but most people are not well educated about the effects of foods, especially to your gut health and hormonal health.
Chill out - Stress is the biggest aggravator to your adrenals, so above anything else, it’s important to learn to manage your stress. Because as women we’re exquisitely sensitive to stress, it’s important to prioritize mindful moments into your daily routine. Try this bath recipe:
Dr. Hyman’s Ultra Bath Soak : The Ultra Bath combines Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), baking soda (alkalinizing), and lavender oil (cortisol and stress reducing aromatherapy). This delicious ritual creates profound relaxation and detoxification. According to Dr. Hyman, soaking in the steaming water gives one the triple benefit of mind and muscle relaxation and whole body detoxification. Add 2 cups Epsom salts, ½ cup baking soda, and 10 – 20 drops of lavender oil. Soak for 20-30 minutes.Wander the wilderness - Getting into nature at least one time per week has been shown to have tremendous health benefits like reducing anxiety and stress.
Supplement - Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms that help balance and restore the body. Some especially indicated for adrenal support are Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, Cordyceps, and Eleuthero Root. You may also benefit from Magnesium Glycinate and Progesterone.
Reduce or avoid caffeine - I know it’s hard when you’re always exhausted to also reduce caffeine, but consider small shifts.
Embody ease - The less stress you feel and the less anxiety-prone your thinking, the less often you’ll trigger your sympathetic nervous system which in turns activates your adrenals. Incorporate breath work, movement, compassionate thinking, and grace into your daily to-do list to feel more ease.
** If you think you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue or HPA axis dysfunction, you may want to contact your healthcare provider. Unfortunately there isn’t a formal test for diagnosing this, so clear cut answers are unlikely. In the meantime, implementing these steps above offer no negative side effects and lots of potential upside.