If you feel like you’re running on empty, and need coffee to survive—you’re not alone. Thousands of people suffer from fatigue and exhaustion, due to the constant stress and pressure on our adrenal glands. You may have heard of adrenal fatigue or dysfunction but didn’t fully understand how it relates to stress and fatigue. We’ll break it down for you here.
What is adrenal dysregulation?
Adrenal dysregulation is a way to describe the dysfunctional communication between the endocrine glands and the adrenal glands. The results? An altered pattern of cortisol or Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) that is out of our body’s natural rhythm. When this happens, people tend to notice common symptoms.
Here’s a few you may experience:
- Fatigue
- Cravings
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
- Low recovery
How to improve symptoms and feel your best:
When dealing with adrenal dysregulation it is especially important to AVOID caffeine and excess sugar. Caffeine and being on the blood sugar rollercoaster stimulate a stress/cortisol response so this exacerbates the current issue.
Vitamin C is a necessary nutrient when dealing with adrenal dysregulation. You store vitamin C in the adrenals to support stress hormone synthesis. During a stressor the glands go through vitamin C dumping so you become depleted of vitamin C very quickly.
You require more protein when dealing with a stressor, therefore it’s important to ensure adequate protein intake. Choose lean cuts of meat, along with poultry and fish.
A self care routine and good sleep are essential to feeling better. Set yourself up for success with an evening routine that includes self-care rituals like a sauna blanket or dry brush.
