A-Z adrenal support Articles

Adrenal glands are small glands located on the upper pole of each kidney. Each adrenal gland contains an inner medulla surrounded by an outer cortex layer. The medulla produces the fight-or-flight hormones adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). The cortex produces sex hormones, stress hormones and other hormones responsible for water balance in the body. The adrenal cortex produces hormones from cholesterol, making adequate cholesterol intake important for hormone production. Discover which nutrients and supplements you can take to support your adrenal glands and help them operate optimally.

What Negatively Impacts Adrenal Health?

Stress and Adrenal Fatigue

Although actual organ failure of the adrenal gland is uncommon, our high-stress lifestyles, poor diet and abuse of drugs or alcohol often lead to adrenal depletion. Low adrenal function may cause fatigue, dizziness, headaches, memory issues, cravings, and blood pressure changes. As the dysfunction gets more serious, other symptoms such as fainting, diarrhea, depression, moodiness, feeling cold, discolouration of the skin, swelling and loss of body hair can occur.

Diet and Lifestyle Influences

It’s important to deal with stress in healthy ways in order to escape potential adrenal burnout. Deep breathing and regular exercise help relieve stress and reduce its effects on the adrenal glands. These activities support adrenal function. A few times each day, take 10 slow, deep breaths to increase your well-being and reduce stress. This simple activity will improve adrenal gland function.

To achieve full adrenal benefits, be sure to moderate or eliminate consumption of the following harmful substances: corticosteroids, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, fried foods, processed and white sugars and flours and red meat.

Increasing foods containing high amounts of vitamins and minerals, like green leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, garlic, onions and healthy fats will support the adrenal gland. The essential fatty acids found in fish and fish oil also support the adrenal gland.

Supplements For Adrenal Support

Nutritional supplements can also help to nourish and support the adrenal glands. Because these glands produce a large number of different hormones, they require several different precursors and cofactors to perform their task efficiently.

Vitamin C and Vitamin B-5 for Adrenaline

The adrenal glands require vitamins C and B-5 (pantothenic acid) to produce optimum levels of adrenaline (epinehphrine) for response to immediate urgent stress.

B-Complex

In addition to the role of B-5 in the synthesis of adrenaline, the other B vitamins also act as cofactors for the synthesis of other adrenal hormones. They also help promote efficient energy utilization in the body.

Licorice

The herb Licorice contains hormones similar to those released by the adrenal gland. Because of this, it can help to supplement low adrenal function and help to give a significant increase in energy levels.

Adrenal Glandular

Adrenal gland extract (New Zealand source) contains proteins and essential nutrients that can help optimize your adrenal functioning. This extract also contains the active hormones that can supplement the activity of an under-functioning gland.

Adaptogenic Herbs

Some herbs are able to help the body more easily adapt to stress, and these herbs are referred to as adaptogens. The ginsengs can act in this way, as can astragalus. Interestingly, in addition to boosting adrenal function, these herbs also help to improve immune functioning.

What Are The Adrenal Glands?

Your adrenal glands are located in the abdomen above the kidneys and are the sole provider of cortisol to the body. In addition to cortisol, they produce some androgen, aldosterone, norepinephrine and epinephrine. The body produces cortisol daily, and people commonly call it the stress hormone.

Cortisol is highest first thing in the morning and tapers off throughout the day, reaching its lowest point between 5pm and 8pm. Chronic stress can cause problems by signalling the adrenal glands to produce higher amounts of cortisol than normal. The continued stress put on the glands can cause them to fall behind and create a cortisol deficit or to respond with inappropriate levels of cortisol that swing from high to low. Anyway you look at it, if the adrenals are not supported in their balanced production of cortisol, health problem ensue (fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, mood swings, compromised immune function, insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction and more!)

How Do Adaptogens Support The Adrenal Glands?

Adaptogenic herbs or adrenal support formulas can be very effective at balancing cortisol levels and decreasing unwanted stress-related symptoms. Adaptogens vary in their effects, and one herb may work differently than another. Practitioners often combine herbs for specific needs.

Holy Basil

Holy basil is especially important for individuals with dysglycemia (or blood sugar imbalances) and cravings and/or emotional eating in relation to stress or caused by cortisol irregularities.

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola is another herb with a long history of use for treating stress-induced fatigue, improving mental performance, and alleviating mild depression and anxiety. It is more commonly useful for those who find themselves getting angry or frustrated when stressed out.

Relora

Relora is actually the proprietary combination of two plants: Phellodendron Amurense and Magnolia. This herb may help manage irritability and mood swings linked to cortisol imbalance. It may also support sleep and concentration during stress.

Astragalus

Astragalus addresses the fatigue and weakened immune system aspects of stress and cortisol imbalances. It is often included in immune support formulas for this reason.

Ginsengs

The Ginsengs [Ashwaghanda, Eleutherococcus, Maca and /articles/supplements/gingseng/] Ashwaghanda can be particularly effective for stress-related insomnia or sleeping problems. It also supports the production of thyroid hormone, as thyroid issues often go hand in hand with adrenal dysfunction. Eleutherococcus, Maca and Panax ginseng are helpful for energy, as well as increasing libido and helping to support balanced androgen production (sex hormones).

Licorice

Licorice is a very effective cortisol balancer, although slightly less popular, as it can increase blood pressure. Like Holy Basil, the use of licorice has been linked to improved glucose control and fat modulation, as well as improving immune function, decreasing inflammation and balancing sex hormones (often exacerbated with cortisol imbalances). For those with low blood pressure (do you get dizzy when you sit up quickly?), licorice might be the right choice for you.

Schisandra

Schisandra is an adaptogenic herb especially useful for reducing fatigue and improving mental performance and memory decline related to stress. It can also help to support stress related immune compromise, such as chronic cough or asthma. This plant also has an affinity for the liver, helping to support liver function and repair liver damage.

B Vitamins

B vitamins can be very useful for supporting healthy adrenal function, as well as reducing symptoms associated with cortisol imbalances, such as anxiety, depression, ruminating/obsessive thinking and blood sugar control. These vitamins work best in combination with other B vitamins, so when stress is an issue, a B complex has to be included in your supplement protocol.