You may have heard the term ‘adrenaline fatigue’ recently, but what is it?
It’s a condition that is recognised when the adrenal glands are functioning below the necessary level. Your adrenal glands produce a variety of essential hormones. Adrenal Fatigue or (Addison’s disease) refers to the inadequate production of one or more of these hormones as a result of an underlying health conditions.
So, who is likely to suffer with adrenaline fatigue?
This may sound obvious, but generally people that are busy busy busy! Yes, we’re all busy, but I mean unusually busy. For example, new parents, people working excessive hours (well over 8 hours a day), and that includes working at home, running after the kids or in the office – working on that time critical project.
If you have adrenal fatigue, it can be a major cause of low energy levels and excess fat storage. So, although you could be following that diet, you might not be losing any weight.
What are some of the main symptoms?
• Brain Fog – Generally struggling to focus throughout the day.
• Hair Loss.
• Light headedness.
• Weight Gain – frustrating if you’re trying to lose any weight!
• Depression – Feeling down, whether mild or severe.
• Decreased libido
• Sugar & Salt Cravings.
• Struggling to get up in the morning.
• Loss of muscle tone.
• Joint Pain – Knees and elbows feeling a little achy?
• Dry Skin – Could be just a little dryer than usual.
• Dark Circles under eyes – Also can be down to the lack of sleep of course.
Here are the 4 key changes you could look at to help with adrenal fatigue.
1. Eating healthy is one of the most important change you will need to make. You will need to reduce processed and high fat foods and increase nutrient-dense, whole food in-take. Such as vegetables, fruit, organic meat. If it is from a packet or from your fast food store then those are the foods you need to avoid.
2. Getting more sleep is also important. Although it is easier said than done when you have kids or have a demanding job, getting enough sleep really does play a key role in your health. Aiming for a minimum of 7 hours sleep per night is your target to help ease symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
3. Relax! Again, easier said than done, right? But sometimes you just need to take some time out for YOU. Maybe practise some relaxation or breathing techniques at home each day. Or find yourself a local Yoga class so you get some time for yourself to relax.
4. Supplements. If you’ve had a poor diet (until now), it might be an idea to start taking some supplements to boost your immune system. Aim for a broad-spectrum supplement, ideally one with Vitamin D as a lack of Vitamin D can play a big role in suffering with fatigue. Once you have made a change to your diet, it is likely you will not need the supplements after this point.
Although these some simple small changes, these can make a big impact on your health.
Thanks to Sharon Armstrong, dipN, SACdip, FNTP for this article.
