Many health experts believe approximately 80% of the population suffers from some level of adrenal insufficiency, yet are only diagnosed when an extreme deficiency (Addison’s disease) or overproduction (Cushing’s disease) of the adrenal hormones are found in routine blood work.
Because adrenal dysfunction is so common, it is important to always support and monitor your adrenal health in order to avoid developing a severe deficiency. Below we outline the importance of the adrenals, common habits that lead to adrenal problems, and simple everyday practices that can help support adrenal function.
The adrenals are involved in regulating virtually every aspect of body function. The health and functional efficiency of the adrenals is necessary for every aspect of metabolism in the body.
The adrenal glands are no bigger than a walnut and they sit on top of the kidneys. They produce more than 150 different hormones, including adrenaline (sometimes called epinephrine), cortisol, norepinephrine, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the major stress hormones in our bodies that are absolutely essential to health and vitality.
These hormones help:
Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenals have been overworked to a degree where they can no longer secrete levels of cortisol that are adequate to perform essential tasks such as those listed above. When the adrenals are out of balance, the quality of our health and well-being becomes severely compromised.
Because the adrenal glands are vital for optimal health and wellness, it is important to recognize the signs that your adrenal glands are not functioning optimally:
Limiting certain lifestyle factors and habits that can negatively impact the adrenals can help alleviate the symptoms listed above as well as promote optimal function:
It is important to incorporate simple yet effective habits into your daily routine in order to not only avoid adrenal fatigue but also ensure that your adrenals are in balance and successfully performing essential bodily functions:
Practice stress management: Stress, especially when there is a lack of coping mechanisms, can exhaust the adrenals. Incorporating meditation, journaling, deep breathing exercises, or other ways of processing stress into your daily routine can help support your adrenals.
Recognize the value of rest and recovery: Listening to your body is essential for adrenal health. Avoid frequently over-exercising and overexerting your body. Make sleep a priority as REM sleep is critical for adrenal function. Creating a sleep schedule is a great way to ensure your body is getting the rest it needs. During periods of prolonged emotional or life stress, carve out one day of the week to use as a recovery day to rest and nourish your body.
Eat an adrenal-supporting diet: It’s not only important to avoid or limit your intake of inflammatory foods that inhibit adrenal function, but it’s also valuable to regularly incorporate adrenal-supporting foods that can help restore any imbalances during times of stress and promote optimal adrenal function.
Try supplementation: It can be difficult to obtain the wide variety of minerals and nutrients your body needs through diet alone. Regularly supplementing with herbs such as adaptogens that have balancing qualities and alleviate stress is a great way to support your adrenals.
Hydrate: Hydration is essential for all organs and bodily functions, which includes the adrenal glands. Finding ways to ensure you meet the daily recommendation of fluid intake (15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women according to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) can help keep you hydrated. Strategies such as setting reminders on your phone, using an app, using a water bottle that is clear or has measurement markers, and keeping water in multiple areas of your home are all ways you can prioritize keeping your body hydrated. Moreover, if you are suffering from adrenal dysfunction, it is advised to add a quarter of a teaspoon of Celtic sea salt to your first glass of water when you wake up. Daily total consumption of about two teaspoons of Celtic sea salt and the 80 minerals in the salt will help nourish your adrenals and endocrine system.
The adrenals are a vital component of overall health and wellness. Adrenal dysfunction can greatly impair your quality of life and lead to serious health conditions such as Addison’s disease. Being proactive and taking steps in your day-to-day life to protect and nourish your adrenal glands will help avoid any health complications and support your journey to health.
*Always consult your doctor before beginning supplementation
Holtorf Medical GroupThe Holtorf Medical Group specializes in optimizing quality of life and being medical detectives to uncover the underlying cause of symptoms, rather than just prescribing medications to cover-up the symptoms. We are experts in natural, prescription bioidentical hormone replacement and optimization, complex endocrine dysfunction, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and Lyme disease. We’ve dedicated our practice to providing you the best in evidenced-based, integrative medicine that’s not only safe and effective, but provides measurable results.
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