IF YOU OFTEN FEEL TIRED, HAVE LOW ENERGY AND NO MATTER WHAT YOU TRY YOU’RE UNABLE TO LOSE WEIGHT, WEAKENED ADRENAL GLANDS MIGHT BE TO BLAME.

Your adrenal glands are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys. They’re chiefly responsible for producing the hormones required to manage both physical and emotional stress. The most common cause of adrenal fatigue is intense or prolonged stress, but respiratory infection such as influenza, bronchitis, and pneumonia can also bring it on.

Fatigued or over tasked adrenal glands can cause a whole host of problems in your body and can be the culprit for your lack of energy or inability to lose weight. Low energy is one of the more common complaints I hear from my clients, independent of age.

Take a look at the list below – if you have 2 or more of these symptoms, it might be adrenal fatigue.

SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL FATIGUE

(a.k.a. non-Addison’s hypoadrenia, adrenal neurasthenia, adrenal apathy)

Abdominal fat accumulation for no apparent reason
Asthma, allergies, or respiratory complaints
Chronic illness
Craving for salt
Cystic breasts
Dark circles under the eyes that don’t go away with rest
Depression
Dizziness
Dry, unhealthy skin with excess pigmentation
Feeling “wired” but unable to relax
Fogging thinking
Frequent urination
Hair falling off for no reason
Heart palpitations at night or when stressed
Lack of libido
Light-headedness on standing up
Low blood pressure
Low blood sugar
Low energy
Low thyroid function, despite thyroid medication
Low tolerance for stress, easily irritated
Lower back pain and/or knee weakness
Numbness in fingers
Poor sleep
Premature aging skin
Trouble getting up in the morning, even when you’ve gone to bed at a reasonable hour
Weight gain

If you suspect your adrenals are over tasked, address it right away with your healthcare provider. Healthy adrenal glands are extremely important to a healthy immune system and are necessary for proper thyroid function.

6 NATURAL WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR ADRENALS & INCREASE ENERGY

1. TIME YOUR MEALS & SNACKS

When we go for long periods without food, our adrenal glands work hard to release hormones to try to maintain the body’s normal functions. When our blood sugar dips for extended periods, this creates a stress reaction, taxing the adrenals. Regulating our hormone levels by eating timely, healthy meals and snacks is key. Click HERE for balanced snack options.

2. ELIMINATE SUGAR AND PROCESSED CARBOHYDRATES FROM YOUR DIET.

Sugar and processed carbohydrates (junk!) put stress on the adrenals and wear them out. Additionally, hormones produced from your adrenal glands help regulate your blood sugar levels. If they’re worn out, they won’t be able to help regulate your blood sugar, which is key to maintaining a healthy weight, energy levels, and immune system. Click HERE to learn about “10 Foods You Can Eat To Beat Stress”.

3. EAT ORGANIC VEGETABLES, FRUITS, NUTS, LEGUMES, BEANS AND GRAINS.

Pesticides and insecticides found in conventional foods can fatigue your adrenal glands, so look for organic whenever possible. Washing your produce thoroughly will also help. If you consume animal protein, make sure it’s clean & lean. Click HERE for my “Perfect Make Ahead Breakfast: Cinnamon Oats”, a guest-blog post I wrote for MindBodyGreen, and click HERE for my Quinoa Black Bean Salad (one of my favorites)

4. KICK YOUR CAFFEINE HABIT.

Too much caffeine can task your adrenals, so ease off. It may seem counterintuitive, but you’ll have more energy in the longrun if you give up the short term kick you get from caffeine. Replace your caffeinated beverages with purified water with lemon, herbal teas, vegetable juice (V-8), or coconut water. Some people can handle a little caffeine just fine and others can’t handle even a cup; know your body and eliminate all caffeine if needed. Click HERE for my healthy Ginger Lime drink and 6 more drink options.

5. GET SOME SLEEP.

You must rest if you are going to help your adrenals get stronger. That means going to bed every night by 10 p.m. Make this a priority and stick with it. Your adrenals need their beauty sleep!

6. DRINK PLENTY OF PURIFIED WATER EVERY DAY.

Purified water will flush toxins out of your body and help keep healthy adrenals on track. Another one of my go to “flushing out toxin drinks” is lemon water. Click HERE to get my recipe for lemon water that I drink 30 minutes before breakfast, every morning.

If you are looking for more in-depth information on adrenal fatigue, I recommend checking out this Adrenal Fatigue Solution website.

Here’s to your health!