Adrenal Glands, Adrenal Fatigue, Reducing Anxiety & Stress

By: Timothy Long 11/22/2012

Adrenal Glands, Adrenal Fatigue, Reducing Anxiety & Stress
By Timothy Long

Your ability to respond to stress effectively is directly affected by how well your adrenal glands are functioning. This important organ system directly affects your level of muscular strength, blood sugar levels, energy levels and overall sense of well being.

When we are stressed, our adrenal glands produce a stress hormone known as cortisol. With prolonged stress, the adrenal glands become overworked and can no longer respond appropriately to stress. Instead, the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, which often induces a feeling of being both “wired and tired.” In this case you may feel tired at the end of your day, but too wired to relax or sleep. Other symptoms and health problems that indicate adrenal support may be needed are low energy, exhaustion, trauma, mood disorders, sugar imbalances, high anxiety, panic attacks, hormonal imbalances, increased menopausal discomfort (the body begins to rely on the adrenals for estrogen) and thyroid problems. Everyone supporting their thyroid also needs to support their adrenal glands.

There are many products marketed that claim to help the adrenal glands; however, it is important to note most companies derive their supplements from synthetic sources and glandular products that can be over-stimulating. I recommend well-researched, high quality natural supplements that work very well to support the adrenal glands and combat many related symptoms. Premier Research Labs, founded by Robert J. Marshall, Ph.D., creates its supplements from grade 10 organic whole food and herb sources, and do not use any synthetic or chemical nutrients or additives in production or in the final product. Additionally, these formulas contain plant enzymes to increase the body’s ability to absorb the nutrients.

For restoring adrenal glands to optimal health, I recommend the following basic supplements. Dosages listed here are suggested general recommendations; it is important to decide dosage according to individual need. Because these Premier supplements are whole-food, they can be taken with or without meals. If budget is an issue, the products listed below are in order of importance.

In addition, one needs to eat a healthy, thyroid-adrenal supportive diet. If extra protein is needed (as is often the case), a high quality protein powder like Premier Whey Peptein is necessary. Premier Greens will round-out the nutrition needed along with the following supplements:

Premier AdrenaVen
Two to eight capsules in the morning (beginning with higher doses and reducing over time as needed) Higher doses split morning and noon, though not later than 1 pm.

Premier Adaptogen-R3
Adaptogens are substances that help the body better deal with stress. Premier Adaptogen contains highly effective adaptogens and other ingredients that make it a superior adaptogenic formula for adrenal, endocrine and anti-aging health.

One to Three capsules in the morning. One to Three capsules at lunchtime.

Premier Max B-ND
Vitamin B is extremely important to all of body’s functions, and will help your body deal with stress. Premier Research Laboratory’s liquid vitamin B complex is derived from 100% food sources, and is highly absorbable and effective.

Take a half to one teaspoon in water in morning. Sip slowly. (This can be repeated at lunch time.)

Premier Vitamin C
Whole Food Herbal Vitamin C from nature. No synthetic, manufactured ascorbic acid, nor any excipients or artificial anything added or used in PRL supplements. Natural vitamin C is essential for adrenal health and numerous functions of the human body. It is easily depleted with stress and from toxic environmental factors. It is essential to take a natural food form vitamin C daily for health and immunity.

Two to three capsules in the morning. Two to three capsules in the evening (more as needed).

Premier Magnesium (Glycinate) or Cardiovascular Research Magnesium Taurate
These are highly absorbable, gentle forms of magnesium. Magnesium is very effective for anxiety, depression, muscle tension, heart health and calcium absorption.

1-3 caps morning, and 1-3 caps night

Bio Nativus Trace Mineral Concentrate
Another way to replenish magnesium and other minerals. This is a complete, soluble, liquid ionic mineral/electrolyte formula from nature. High in magnesium, low in sodium, without calcium.

Read label, take as needed daily in water. (Avoid water with chlorine and fluoride. See CuZn home filter systems.)

Premier Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone is very helpful in supporting the adrenal glands, supporting over-all hormonal balances, anxiety, panic attacks, brain, memory, capillaries and much more.

Additional Information:

- Avoid excess sugar, simple carbohydrates, caffeine, alcohol, MSG and all artificial sweeteners.
Real Stevia is good (Avoid new manufactured sugars claiming to be stevia, such as as Truvia and PureVia, and those containing erythritol)

- Avoid ordinary table salt, as it is just sodium chloride. However, use whole natural salt in cooking and on food, as it contains important minerals. Whole real salt is very important for your adrenal and thyroid health, digestion, and the health of your entire body. Avoid high sodium in foods, but do use whole salt in your diet. The best salt is Celtic Salt from the Grain & Salt Society. You can find it in health food stores and on the internet. Be careful with ‘sea salt,” because much of it is stripped down whole salt with just a fraction of the minerals remaining. Therefore, it is nearly like table salt, which is pure sodium minus all the minerals inherent is real whole natural salt as found in the ocean. People with weak adrenals and weak thyroids usually need a lot more real whole salt in their diet.
Use more salt when feeling stressed and fatigued from exercise, hot weather and sweating.

- Drinking adequate water is very important for adrenal health. Some healthcare professionals advise dividing your weight by three and drinking that number of ounces per day. Clear liquids like herbal tea and even soup broth can count, so your intake doesn’t have to be from just pure water. If you are drinking coffee, soft drinks or alcohol, these are dehydrating and you will need to drink more water. It is wisest to follow your own individual need, which depends on your activity, the weather, and other individual biological and dietary factors to decide if more or less is adequate. Insufficient minerals in food can cause some people to be excessively thirsty and drink too much. Drinking far too little can be a contributing factor in disease, though drinking far too much is also unhealthy, stressing the kidneys and washing away minerals.

- Ground yourself to the earth as often as possible, by lying on it or walking barefoot. See past newsletters for more information and other ways to ground yourself.

- Emotions/Trauma: Nearly all people with stressed and depressed adrenals have had or suffer from a deep emotional shock or chronic emotional stress and trauma. Along with the naturopathic recommendations made here, it is highly advisable to seek some counseling and healing with a therapist who is qualified to help you clear the debilitating effects of emotional trauma and long-term stress from your nervous system. Combining therapy with adrenal-supportive supplements can give you back your life, energy, health and peace of mind.

- Adequate sleep is very important in rebuilding and maintaining healthy adrenal glands. One must have at least five hours of uninterrupted sleep. If you awaken prior to completing five hours of sleep, it is best to continue lying down (without raising head from pillow or above the body) until you reach five hours. Resolving insomnia or sleep issues is very important concerning all health issues. You can find more information about sleep and supplements that will be helpful to you in past issues of my newsletter. You can find these by doing a “Site” search on my www.longnaturalhealth.com website.

- Meditation and deep relaxation is perhaps the greatest daily thing you can do to heal your adrenals, clear stress from your body and prevent or heal disease, as well as to know true happiness. I highly encourage not only a daily meditation practice, but more importantly learning to live with your mind quiet and aware of the stillness within you. To fully understand this key to life and your greatest source of health and healing, I highly recommend that you read (or reread) ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle. I also teach meditation and relaxation techniques as a very important part of my counseling and healing practice.

Long Natural Health offers a number of adrenal health testing options: see ZRT and Sanesco. The Sanesco program also offers natural solutions to neurotransmitter imbalances that are often related to adrenal problems, anxiety, stress disorders, depression, mood swings, SAD, insomnia, OCD, panic attacks, eating disorders, weight issues, chronic fatigue, and other emotional issues.

Timothy Long, Life Coach & Psychotherapist. Owner/Founder of Long Natural Health www.longnaturalhealth.com & www.imaginehealing.com