Want to schedule a visit or phone consultation?
To ensure high quality service and diagnosis, kindly complete this form.
by: Dr. Craig A. Maxwell
Have you begun asking yourself, “Why am I so tired?” Have you just completely run out of energy no matter how much rest or sleep you get? Adrenal fatigue, also called adrenal burnout, is a common problem for many on-the-go people. If you think you’re symptoms are associated with adrenal burnout, learn more about this common disorder and the natural steps you can take to return to wellness.
What are the Adrenals?
Adrenal glands, also called “adrenals” are endocrine glands located just atop your kidneys. Your adrenal glands have two functioning areas that release different types of hormones. The inner part of your adrenal glands release epinephrine and norepinephrine while the outer part releases testosterone and cortisol. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are both stress hormones that help the nervous system respond to danger during fight-or-flight situations. Testosterone and cortisol give our bodies the extra strength we need to do physical battle when necessary.
Also, in addition to your gonads and brain, your adrenals produce an important hormone called DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone, which serves as a precursor for sex hormones. DHEA is responsible for reducing fatigue and improving clarity of mind. In a person with adrenal fatigue, this hormone is chronically low, resulting in extreme fatigue and brain fog.
What is Adrenal Fatigue?
Chronic stress and anxiety can cause your adrenals to become overtaxed. When your “fight or flight” hormones are constantly triggered, the glands are no longer able to meet the demand and begin to shut down. This results in what is called ‘adrenal fatigue’, ‘adrenal overload’ or ‘adrenal burnout’.
“Why Am I So Tired”? – Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
One of the most common symptoms of adrenal fatigue is fatigue that is not relieved by rest or sleep.
Other common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:
- Intolerance to bright light
- Sunken cheeks
- Hair loss on lower arms and legs
- Lines in the fingertips
- Pale lips
- Sweet or salty food cravings
- Muscular weakness
- Frequent sighing
- Mild depression
Causes of Adrenal Burnout
The two most common causes of adrenal burnout are stress and stimulants, and it’s usually a combination of both. In a harried and hectic world, we’re all pressured to burn the candle at both ends and go, go, go. The problem is the body has a natural desire for rest and sleep. Many people ignore this impulse by drinking tons of coffee and energy drinks. This only dehydrates and over-stimulates the body, making adrenal burnout practically inevitable.
Diagnosing Adrenal Fatigue
Conventional medicine often has a difficult time diagnosing adrenal fatigue. Plus, if your symptoms are severe, just the thought of having to leave the comfort of your home to drive from doctor’s office to doctor’s office can be exhausting. For your convenience, Direct Labs offers the Adrenal Stress Saliva Meta-Matrix Kit, which measures cortisol and DHEA levels with a simple saliva analysis. With this test, there is no fasting and you’ll get your results within 7-10 business days!
Natural Treatments for Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal exhaustion is just one of those disorders conventional medicine can’t treat very well. Thankfully, there is plenty you can do at home to fully restore your adrenal glands and get them back to optimum health!
Here are the methods I suggest for my patients suffering from adrenal burnout:
- Rest
Many celebrities who are hospitalized for exhaustion are actually suffering from adrenal burnout. The good news is, you don’t have to go away to an expensive rehabilitation center to get the rest you need. Just go to bed around 10pm or 10:30pm every night and sleep in as late as you possibly can. If you have vacation days saved from work, schedule a week or two off and set up a babysitter for the kids. Sleep, sleep, sleep, and sleep some more. Now is your perfect excuse to do nothing but rest!
- Laughter
While you’re up in bed all day, watch some of your favorite comedy movies. Laughter releases powerful healing hormones that help you recover faster from any illness. It also helps improve your mood and outlook on life, which can help you better cope with everyday stressors.
- Dietary Changes
A healthy diet is an absolute must for anyone suffering from adrenal fatigue or any other chronic condition. Cut the processed food out of your life completely. Throw everything with chemicals and preservatives away and stock up on whole-food fare such as organic vegetables, fruits, lean meats, wild-caught fish, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Kick the soda habit and switch to pure water instead. Your body is exhausted and needs plenty of nourishment to help it get back to functioning at its best.
- Supplements
Diamond Nutritional’s Foundation Vitamins
If you’re already taking a multivitamin supplement, you might be wasting your money and making your adrenal fatigue symptoms worse. This is because most commercial vitamin formulas on the market today are nothing more than a collection of synthetics made in a lab. They often contain dangerous chemical additives and dyes that can contribute to the health problems you’re taking them to avoid!
For my patients, I recommend Diamond Nutritional’s Foundation Vitamins. Unlike store-bought vitamins, this dietary supplement contains whole-food derived nutrition your body can easily absorb.
Foundation’s ingredients include:
- Vitamin A – 7,500 IU
- Vitamin C – 500 mg
- Vitamin D3 – 500 IU
- Vitamin E – 100 IU
- Vitamin K – 50 mcg
- Thiamine – 25 mg
- Riboflavin – 25 mg
- Niacin – 25 mg
- Vitamin B6 – 38 mg
- Folic Acid – 400 mcg
- Vitamin B12 – 500 mcg
- Biotin – 200 mcg
- Panthothenic Acid – 150 mg
- Calcium – 100 mg
- Iodine – 113 mcg
- Magnesium – 200 mg
- Zinc – 10 mg
- Selenium – 100 mcg
- Copper – 1 mg
- Manganese – 2.5 mg
- Chromium – 200 mcg
- Molybdenum – 25 mcg
- Potassium – 50 mg
- Choline Bitartrate USP – 50 mg
- Inositol – 50 mg
- Mixed Tocopherols – 50 mg
- Lipoic Acid – 25 mg
- N-Acetyl-Cysteine USP – 25 mg
- Rutin – 25 mg
- Lutein – 3 mg
- Boron – 1.5 mg
- Lycopene – 1 mg
- Vanadyl Sulfate Hydrate – 1 mg
Diamond Nutritional’s Adrenal Support Formula
In addition to the Foundation multivitamin, I also recommend my Diamond Nutritional’s Adrenal Support Formula. This formula contains a potent blend of vitamins and herbs designed to give that extra support to your adrenals while healing your exhausted body from the inside out.
These ingredients include:
- Vitamin A, C, and E – Provides antioxidant support
- Niacin – Reduces anxiety and improves sleep
- Vitamin B6, and B12 – Helps the body better cope with everyday stress
- Pantothenic Acid – Eases nervous system stress
- Adrenal Concentrate (Bovine) – Supports taxed adrenals and speeds the healing process
- Siberian Ginseng – Improves the body’s response to stress, increases energy levels, and provides immune system support
- Rhodiola Rose Root Extract – Supports energy while improving mental clarity and memory
- Schizandra Berry Extract – Alleviates stress, improves mental clarity, and promotes emotional wellness
- Licorice Root Extract – Blocks the breakdown of hydrocortisone in the liver so your adrenal glands are able to rest
Diamond Nutritional’s DHEA Capsules
In addition to giving your body full adrenal support, I also recommend a supplement that focuses on supplying your body with optimum levels of DHEA. Diamond Nutritional’s DHEA 25 mg capsules help correct hormonal imbalances and give your exhausted adrenals the right amount of this essential hormone to function at their best.
You don’t have to stay tired and run-down forever. Adrenal burnout can be fixed. All you need to do is make a few minor lifestyle changes and add some nutrient-rich supplements to your diet and your body will do what it does best: Heal on its own!
