What Vitamins Help Adrenal Fatigue?

Going through life feeling completely exhausted as a result of adrenal fatigue can be, well…tiring! Uscriptives is here to help you understand what adrenal fatigue is, its symptoms and causes, and what vitamins help adrenal fatigue by giving your body the support it needs. 

What Does the Adrenal System Do?

Adrenal glands and the adrenal system are a small part of the endocrine system. As a whole, the endocrine system is responsible for producing and managing the various hormones constantly at work in our bodies.

The adrenal system, powered by the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys, is responsible for the production of hormones that help regulate our metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, stress responses, energy levels, and more. 

Why is Healthy Adrenal Function Important?

While our adrenal glands, and the other glands that make up the endocrine system, are small in size, they play a significant role in our body’s overall health and wellness.

 

Hormones help regulate every aspect of our anatomy, such as growth, sex drive, sexual development and function, reproduction, metabolism, and thirst, just to name a few. Without the proper production and management of these essential hormones, the majority of our body’s natural functions would have to proceed without any regulation or guidance. In a nutshell, the endocrine system helps our bodies run smoothly. 

As a part of the endocrine system, the adrenal system acts as an important regulator for our bodies. When the body suffers from adrenal fatigue or any sort of adrenal dysfunction, we begin to feel the consequences.  

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is commonly defined as the “inadequate production of one or more of these hormones (those listed above) as a result of an underlying disease.” Put simply, when the adrenal glands engage in the overproduction of these hormones for long periods of time, they become burnt out and can no longer sustain even normal levels of hormone production.

The main hormones produced by the adrenal glands include cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. 

Cortisol 

The hormone cortisol controls the body’s use of fats, protein, and carbohydrates, fights inflammation, helps regulate blood pressure, increases blood sugar levels, and controls the sleep/wake cycle. 

Aldosterone

This hormone plays an important role in regulating blood pressure through communication with the kidneys. 

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine 

Commonly referred to as “adrenaline” and “noradrenaline,” these stress hormones initiate the body’s fight or flight response. They can increase heart rate and blood flow to the muscles and brain, allowing the body and mind to be more responsive in times of emotional or physical stress. 

Diagnosing Adrenal Fatigue

Unfortunately, there are no tests that can definitively identify the presence of adrenal fatigue; as a result, the condition is largely diagnosed using a patient’s symptoms or using a Corticotropin Stimulation Test. This test measures the levels of cortisol released when stimulation is provided to the adrenal glands; based on the level amounts of cortisol produced, a doctor can better determine if a person’s adrenal glands are suffering from burnout. 

It is important to note that adrenal fatigue is not the same as adrenal insufficiency, which occurs when the adrenal glands cannot produce enough hormones, there is damage to the gland itself, or an issue with the pituitary gland (another member of the endocrine system).

Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can include: 

• Dehydration
• Confusion
• Weight Loss
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Low Blood Pressure
• Stomach Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Symptoms & Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

Unlike the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, the symptoms of adrenal fatigue tend to be much less obvious. Someone suffering from adrenal fatigue might experience: 

• Persistent Exhaustion
• Brain Fog
• Trouble Falling Asleep or Waking Up
• Changes in Mood
• Digestive Issues
• Lowered Immunity
• Achiness
• Diminished Sex Drive
• Low Blood Pressure
• Weight Gain
• Hair Loss

When in the process of diagnosing adrenal fatigue, your doctor may perform tests to rule out the following conditions:

• Anemia
  
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Growth Hormone Deficiency
• Poor Diet

As mentioned above, adrenal fatigue is often not a condition in itself but rather the result of another underlying condition. The following conditions may contribute to the development of adrenal fatigue:

• Prolonged Stress
  
• Anxiety or Depression
• Thyroid Issues
• PCOS
• Leaky Gut
• Weight Gain
• Low Blood Pressure
• Blood Sugar Imbalances

These conditions are related to the endocrine system and are either caused by or can cause hormone imbalances, which can lead to the adrenal glands becoming overactive and overworked if they are not treated appropriately.

How Can I Prevent Adrenal Fatigue?

Preventing adrenal fatigue can go a long way toward maintaining your health and wellness. Here are a few ways you can help prevent adrenal fatigue. 

Treating Underlying Conditions 

Because adrenal fatigue is often the result of an underlying condition, treating those conditions can help prevent the onset or worsening of adrenal fatigue. Treating the condition and attempting to regulate hormone levels will ideally prevent the adrenal glands from working overtime. 

Avoid Caffeine

Drinking caffeine can activate our body’s natural fight or flight response. When the fight or flight response is activated, the adrenal glands release adrenaline, cortisol, and other hormones to aid us in dealing with the hypothetical situation at hand. Because caffeine can elevate our heart rate and mirror the physiological symptoms of fight or flight, it can become a trigger for our adrenal glands to start producing unnecessarily. When triggered continuously, this “false alarm” can create an imbalance in our systems. 

Get Quality Sleep

Getting the recommended amount of restful sleep allows the body and its systems the time to rest and recuperate, thereby reducing the stress on the adrenal glands.

Practice Mindfulness

Practicing regular stress management and mindfulness techniques like meditation can help reduce stress, which in turn reduces the amount of cortisol and other stress hormones required by the adrenal glands. 

Vitamins to Support Adrenal Wellness

Taking a regular vitamin or supplement can support overall adrenal health and potentially help prevent the onset of adrenal fatigue.

What Vitamins Help Adrenal Fatigue?

There are different types of vitamins that support the health of adrenal glands and can potentially alleviate the symptoms of adrenal fatigue if it is already present. 

Vitamin C 

Taking a vitamin C supplement can help boost your energy production and support healthy immune function.

Vitamin B5 & 6 

Vitamin B5 can help restore the balance of cortisol secretion in times of stress, while Vitamin B6 can help restore a feeling of calmness. 

Vitamin E

Taking a vitamin E supplement can help neutralize damaging free radicals present in the adrenal glands. Free radicals are compounds that, when seen at high levels, have been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. 

Calcium

Taking a calcium supplement can help maintain levels of calmness and restore cortisol levels to the “normal” range. 

Trace Minerals

Trace minerals like magnesium and zinc can help regulate cell energy production, promote muscle relaxation and quality sleep, and support a healthy stress response. 

If you find that you feel tired, or are experiencing any of the other symptoms discussed above, reach out to your doctor to discuss the possibility of adrenal fatigue and, as always, seek professional medical advice before adding a daily vitamin or supplement to your wellness routine.

Get Daily Health and Wellness from Uscriptives

No matter how you choose to combat adrenal fatigue, taking care of your adrenal glands is an important part of maintaining overall health and wellness! For those looking to support the health of their adrenal system through a vitamin routine, Uscriptives offers an  Adrenal Support Supplement! Learn more by visiting our website.