Adrenal Fatigue? 7 Tips to Fight Back Naturally

adrenal fatigue

Everyone has felt stress at some point in their lives.  That feeling of being so overwhelmed and overworked that you can’t eat or sleep.  Unfortunately, stress has become ingrained in our culture.  We associate it with hard work and success, assuming that we can’t have one without the other.   Though some stress is necessary, we often bite off more than we can chew.  We fail to realize that the more stressed we are, the less efficient we are.  We ignore the negative effects stress has on our bodies but unnecessary stress can lead to a multitude of symptoms including:

  • Adrenal fatigue
  • Exhaustion
  • Anxiety
  • Sleep disturbances

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adrenal glands

What Are Adrenal Glands And What Do They Do?

The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of your kidneys.  The adrenal glands are hormone producing glands similar to ovaries, testicles and the thyroid.  They are the regulators of your body as they’re responsible for regulating stress responses and play an important role in the maintenance of a healthy immune system.

Adrenal glands are key contributors to:
  • Proper thyroid function
  • Balance of hormones
  • Maintaining one’s ideal weight
  • Stabilizing emotions
  • Controlling cravings

Multiple studies have proven that the health of the adrenal glands will dictate the health and recovery of many types of chronic illnesses.  Since chronic stress is the main cause of overactive adrenals, it’s important that we find a way to control and eliminate stress.

Click here to read, “CFS – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms & Natural Solutions”.

Moreover, proper nutrition, adequate rest, and exercise is also very important. Unfortunately, an astounding amount of people suffer from adrenal fatigue due to lifestyle factors that are often overlooked.

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a common side effect of stress and has three phases:
  1. The Alarm Phase – when the body is acknowledging stress
  2. The Resistance Phase – when the body is trying to fight stress
  3. The Exhaustion Phase – when the adrenals become tapped out.

Depending the phase a person is in, the levels of cortisol (produced by the adrenals) will range from high or low at different points in the day.  Cortisol levels should be at their peak in the morning.  So, when we wake up we feel refreshed and ready to go.  Alternatively, they should be at their lowest at night when it’s time to go to bed.  Any variation of these levels will affect a person’s well-being.  Especially if stress is experienced for long periods of time.  Hence the last phase being exhaustion.

Click here to read, “Bedtime Woe’s? – 5 Simple Tips For Blissful Zzzz’s”.

Other than exhaustion, additional symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:
  • Excessive perspiration
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Cravings for salt
  • Chronic infections
  • Low blood pressure
  • Low blood sugar
  • Muscle twitches
  • Lack of libido
  • Light headed
  • Poor concentration
  • Sleep disturbance (typically waking up between 2-4 am)

So what can you do?  There are numerous natural ways to support the adrenals.

adrenal fatigue

Are Your Adrenals Fatigued?

I see the following scenario regularly in my practice.  A busy mom with a demanding career comes in complaining of;

  • Hot flashes
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of libido
  • Inability to lose weight
  • Feeling low

For the last 15 years she has been dealing with;

  • Work deadlines
  • Kid’s sports
  • Homework
  • Cooking
  • Cleaning

She goes from morning to night with little sleep.  Her adrenals are tired but she pushes through the chronic fatigue and insomnia.  She notices other symptoms such as headaches, inability to lose weight, and mood swings.  This common scenario is what many natural health professionals refer to as, “adrenal steal”.

Unable to function properly due to years of stress, the adrenals are forced to steal key hormonal building blocks from other hormones like:

  • Progesterone
  • DHEA
  • Estrogen
  • Testosterone

Hence contributing to hormonal imbalances and a slew of side effects that come with them.  Keeping the adrenal glands in check is the best way for women to avoid fatigue and keep their hormones happy.

How to Fight Adrenal Fatigue

chiropractor

See a Chiropractor – Chiropractic care plays a crucial role in adrenal health.  Physical, chemical or emotional stressors can cause stress on the spine and nervous system.  The goal of chiropractic care is to balance and optimize the entire nervous system contributing to healthy adrenal function in addition to a multitude of other health benefits.

early to bed

Go to Bed Early – You should be sleeping 7 to 8 hours and preferably going to bed before midnight.  Make sure you allow some time to wind down and relax to help your cortisol level lower before bed.

clean eating

Eat Clean – Avoid processed foods and sugar.  Focus on good fats, moderate protein, and tons of veggies that are phytonutrient rich.  You are what you eat, so feed your body the right fuel.

vitamins

Take an Adrenal Support Supplement – Consuming whole, organic foods rich in phytonutrients is great for adrenal support.  However, supplementation is sometime needed to support proper adrenal function.

Beneficial supplements Include:
  • B complex
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc
  • Omega 3 fatty acids

Also beneficial are botanical adaptogens.  They can be taken to help support the adrenal glands throughout the stress response process.

Examples of botanical adaptogens include:

  • Ashwagandha root
  • Rhodiola rosea extract
  • Suma
  • Schisandra chinensis berry extract
yoga, meditation

Exercise – Regular exercise is known to combat stress, which helps to improve adrenal function.  But be aware that if your adrenals are exhausted, intense exercise may be more detrimental than beneficial.  Try yoga or meditation.

Click here to read, “Put A Little Namaste In Your Life”.

cortisol saliva test

Get Tested! – Measuring cortisol levels can help determine adrenal health.  The Cortisol Saliva Test also know as the Adrenal Stress Test, has become the preferred way of evaluating cortisol levels.

A newer test, the DUTCH test, is another method one can use.  The test involves a urine steroid hormone profile.  This measures hormones and hormone metabolites (called conjugates) in a dried sample.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) technology used by chiropractors, is another way to evaluate stress.  It measures and tracks a patient’s autonomic nervous system state.

Think your adrenals are suffering from adrenal fatigue?  Start by taking an inventory of your life stressors and see which ones you can kick to the curb following the 7 tips above.

Your Blood Can Be a Window into the State of Your Health

live blood cell

Live Cell Microscopy (LCM) provides an extremely close look at your blood.  Unlike traditional blood tests, an LCM test gives you a more current picture of your overall health and well-being.

Traditional blood tests that medical doctors employ are essentially an ‘autopsy’ of our blood because of the time lag to actually perform the test from the time it was drawn. This is very different than with a Live Cell Microscopy test, where the blood is still living.  

With living blood, we can see more than what a traditional blood test will reveal.  What’s more, the results are immediate so you do not have to wait a week or two to get your results.

Are traditional blood tests still useful?

Each type of blood test offers its own set of advantages. From a medical standpoint, a traditional blood test is essential.  From a holistic standpoint, we are trying to acquire a snapshot of your overall health, a live blood cell test is ideal because it helps you see things differently.  As such, an LCM blood test is not a medical procedure, nor does it offer any sort of diagnosis or prescription.

How is the test performed?

A drop of blood is painlessly extracted from your fingertip and then it is placed on a slide so that it can be viewed under a specialized microscope.  At this stage, since the blood is freshly extracted, it is still very much alive.  The microscope is attached to a screen so you will be able to see your live blood while it is being assessed for any indications of concern. 

What can a Live Blood Cell test reveal?

An LBC blood test gives a clear picture of your general health, including:

• Nutritional deficiencies, including iron, B12, folic acid and essential fatty acids
• Digestive issues like leaky gut syndrome and liver stress
• Oxidative damage due to stress, smoking, alcohol or other poor lifestyle habits
• Immune system balance
• Inflammation
• Digestive health including digestion of fats
• Parasitic infections
• Allergic tendencies
• And much more…

At the end of your test, you will receive a report that contains recommendations to follow in order to improve your health (for instance, nutritional changes or suggested treatment modalities and/or supplements).

Tips for a great session:

1. It’s best not to eat any food 3 hours prior to your appointment.
2. It’s recommended that you drink lots of water for several days leading up to your appointment.

Live Cell Microscopy can be an essential part of measuring your healing progress

Live blood tests are offered as a series so that you are able to use them to measure your progress during you treatment program. Your first test will provide all the necessary baseline measures needed at the start of a treatment program. Thereafter, each subsequent test is used to measure your progress, these tests are powerful motivators. Most clients continue making positive changes in their lifestyle because they are able to see instant results that are real and meaningful.

_______________________________

Blog by Guest Author:

Cassie LandolfiCassie Landolfi
B.A. Homeopath, DHMHS, Live Blood Cell Microscopist, Nutritionist & Certified Bellicon Instructor

Request your own Live Cell Microscopy Blood Test

If you would like to have your own blood analyzed, you can get in touch during business hours by phone on 905-715-6433 or book online anytime. www.ahealthysolutionforyou.com

All tests are performed by myself, Cassie Landolfi, technician certified for Capillary Punctures, Live Blood Cell Microscopy certified in Phase Contrast, Dark Field and Dry Blood Cell Analysis. Call today to learn more about Cassie’s availability.

Cassie Landolfi, is a life-long resident of Bradford, West-Gwillimbury, who is offering a natural approach to helping the community with your health issues and to help you be proactive with your health.” I am here to listen to your conditions and whether it’s to help you lose weight or regain your energy, I will advise you on a treatment plan individualized just for you.” Cassie graduated from The Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine in downtown Toronto and she is a Certified Live Blood Cell microscopist. She has been a popular educator in spreading wellness with homeopathy and Nutrition over the last several years. Offering everything from rebounding group classes, live blood-cell analysis, nutritional body scans, homeopathy, aromatherapy, and all Canadian Eco-friendly beauty and household products for purchase at very reasonable prices.

Cassie is a certified Bellicon/rebounding trainer, who is also affiliated with Bellicon. It’s truly a one of a kind fitness studio where I offer this low-impact, high intensity bouncing classes for ALL ages. This boutique style studio is the only one in the GTA that offers certified Bellicon classes.

This new Health & Wellness Centre is located upstairs at 29 Holland St W. in downtown Bradford. The address is misleading; access to the 2nd floor Wellness Centre is from the rear of the building only where you will find plenty of parking.

Find Cassie Landolfi at: www.ahealthysolutionforyou.com

https://www.facebook.com/AHealthySolutionForYou/

905-715-6443

Email: [email protected]

Curbing Cubicle Crash: 12 Healthy Snacks To Quell The Mid-Day ‘Hangry’ Attack

12 healthy snacks to quell the mid-day ‘hangry' attack

Do you struggle with the 3 pm energy slump?  Find yourself thinking, should I have another cup of coffee…?  Wondering if there’s any birthday cake left in the staff room or where the darn change for the vending machine snacks…?

Research shows that eating a combination of complex fibre with protein and healthy fats every three or four hours, helps to;

  • Maintain normal blood sugar level
  • Give you an energy boost
  • Conquer tummy rumbles

Here are some well-balanced snacks that are fun, portable and will keep you satisfied until your next meal.

Let’s Get Snacking!

  1. Energy Bars

Energy bars are everywhere these days.  They are quick, no bake, easy to make ahead and can be left at room temperature.  Most recipes call for a combination of;

  • Ground nuts and seeds
  • Mixed with peanut or almond butter
  • your choice of cranberries or raisins

However, my favorite recipe switches out the nut butter for ground pitted dates.

For anther great date recipe, click here for, “Salted Cashew Butter & Dark Chocolate Stuffed Dates”.

2. Avocados

Avocados are ‘good for you’ fats.  They are nutrient dense and fibre rich.  Try an avocado in the half shell stuffed with lightly salted or spicy sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

3. Hummas To The Rescue

Hummus doesn’t have to be bland and boring anymore.  Think Mediterranean!  Try various recipes like sundried tomato and basil hummus for a taste of pow!  Spread on multi-grain or high fibre crackers.

cucumber snacks
4. Kukoo For Cucumber

Try having thick slices of cucumber double as a sandwich with cheese, lean meat or peanut butter filling.

5. Who Loves Goat Cheese?

Goat cheese chunks rolled in ground nuts or granola are a perfect balance of creamy and crunchy.  Pop-in-the mouth kinda snack.

6.  I LOVE Goat Cheese!

Try rice crackers or thin wholegrain crisps, spread with goat cheese.  Then top it with raisins or better yet chopped dates.

7. Change It Up!

The traditional apple or banana slices with a nut butter always tastes great, but how about slices of fresh pear, pineapple chunks, or mango?

dates and nut butter
8. Take The Road Less Traveled

Pair up delicious dried fruits like chopped dates, figs, prunes or apricots with nut butter, or wait for it…hummus!

9. Go Greek

Top your low fat Greek yogurt with ground flax, hemp, or chia seeds.  Sprinkle with some gluten free oats or granola, and add berries of your choice.

10. Roasted Chick Peas

Another satisfying fibre and protein rich finger food is roasted chickpeas.  Add tons of flavour with some curry, paprika, garlic or chili powder…or for a touch of sweetness, while still warm toss with a half teaspoon of honey or pure maple syrup, and a dash of cinnamon.

11. Fresh Take On Veggies & Dip

Pair up various fresh cut veggie sticks, (or home baked veggie chips) with a protein dip made with light ricotta, basil, parsley, oregano and a touch of lemon juice.  Your taste buds will thank you!

granolahhh
12. Not Yer Granny’s Granola

Packed with healthy fats and loaded with nutrients, this is the perfect snack to power you through the rest of your day!

Yes, we’ve all been there.  Sometimes mornings are a rush, so don’t add more stress to your day.  Keep a stash of yummy, accessible snacks in your car, bag and desk.  That way you won’t be craving birthday cake at the office.

Plan for success.  Your daily energy requirements are important.