Adrenal-Fast
Adrenal fatigue symptoms
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Fatigue
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Brain fog
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Sleep problems
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Salt or sugar cravings
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Low libido
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Dizziness upon rising
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Feeling lightheaded
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Low blood sugar
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Feeling moody or irritable
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Depression
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Depending on stimulants, like caffeine for energy
Are you often tired, brain fogged, and struggle with sleep? If feeling tired and wired has become your new normal, I’ve got news for you – it’s NOT! Many times, it’s a sign of adrenal fatigue.
Nowadays, stress is part of life. Between financial worries, relationship struggles, work stress, and traffic jams – none of us are immune.
But when too much stress goes on for too long, we can run into problems. Extreme or prolonged stress can burn out your adrenal glands, resulting in adrenal fatigue.
Wondering if adrenal burnout is to blame for your symptoms? Read on to learn what adrenal fatigue is, what causes it, and how to reverse it naturally.
What are Your Adrenal Glands?
Your adrenal glands are two small triangular-shaped glands that sit on top of your kidneys. They work in concert with the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Together, this trio makes up the HPA axis, which is in charge of your stress response.
Your adrenal glands play many roles. But their main job is to produce hormones – the chief one being cortisol.
What is Adrenal Fatigue?
In short, it’s an imbalance of cortisol. Your stress hormone cortisol is meant to follow a natural rhythm. It rises in the morning to help wake you up and then gradually falls throughout the day.
Cortisol and your sleep hormone melatonin have an inverse relationship. When cortisol rises, melatonin dips, and vice versa. This supports a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
But if you’re under extreme stress for too long, your adrenal glands may not be able to keep up with cortisol production. Your cortisol rhythm may get out of whack – and be too high or too low at the wrong times.
This can disrupt your sleep and make you feel like you’re dragging yourself through the day. And if left untreated, long-term adrenal fatigue can progress into adrenal exhaustion. This is when both cortisol and DHEA are low. In essence, it’s when your adrenals have pooped out.
People suffering from adrenal exhaustion are often so tired they can barely function in their day-to-day lives. They may spend most of their time in bed because their bodies simply don’t have the energy for anything else.
Is Adrenal Fatigue ‘Real’?
That depends on who you ask. Conventional medicine doesn’t currently view adrenal fatigue as a real diagnosis. According to mainstream medicine, you either have full-blown Addison’s disease, or your adrenals are fine.
But functional medicine says otherwise. The term ‘adrenal fatigue’ was coined back in 1998 by naturopath and chiropractor Dr. James Wilson.
Dr. Wilson saw many patients who struggled with the same set of symptoms – but didn’t meet the diagnosis for Addison’s disease. These patients’ symptoms were often debilitating, yet their cortisol levels were “in the normal range.”
Since then, adrenal fatigue has been widely recognized in functional medicine. So, if your doctor is overlooking your symptoms or telling you it’s “all in your head,” you may want to find a functional medicine doctor.
What Causes Adrenal Fatigue?
Chronic stress is at the root of adrenal fatigue. But those stressors can come in many different forms, including:
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Emotional stress
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Poor diet
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Toxin exposure
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Excessive exercise
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Lack of sleep
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Food sensitivities
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Infections
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Injuries
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Autoimmune conditions
Adrenal-Fast contains the following herbal extracts:
Ashwagandha.
Lowers stress hormones and calms anxiety
Stress normally causes a surge in the adrenal hormones - adrenaline and cortisol – both of which increase alertness (sometimes known as ‘fight or flight’). Ashwagandha tackles the problem at the root as it acts directly on the trigger of stress by regulating the imbalanced cortisol level and nourishing the adrenal glands.
Ashwagandha has been well-researched in this regard with several studies supporting its effectiveness in managing the effects of stress. Ashwagandha is also a tonic and can strengthen an exhausted or agitated nervous system whilst calming it at the same time. By nourishing and strengthening a weakened and over-anxious nervous system, studies show that ashwagandha helps us to relax enough to get a better night’s sleep. It has been shown to significantly enhance athletic performance by improving heart and lung capacity while increasing energy levels. This makes it a great support for those who struggle with energy or have fatigue-related conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome.
Astralagus
Astragalus is an herbal supplement that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s purported to enhance the immune system and reduce inflammation. It’s also used to help treat heart conditions, kidney disease and more. Astralagus enhances the body’s natural ability to adapt to stress, bolstering the immune system so that you stay well. Astragalus root even helps maintain normal blood sugar levels and alleviates insulin resistance. Astragalus also aids healthy weight regulation by making cells more receptive to insulin and exerting an anti-inflammatory effect, helping to protect against insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
Licorice
Licorice is an anti-stress herb known to increase energy, endurance and vitality, and act as a mild tonic. It has been used to stimulate the hormones for anti-inflammatory action, as well as naturally fortify cortisone levels–arguably the most important hormone in stress and adrenal fatigue. Its cortisol sparing effects help in maintaining energy levels which results in a better response to stressful situations.
Licorice has also been used to help decrease symptoms of hypoglycemia, a common side effect of decreased adrenal function. Wound healing, which can be slowed down by stress, has been improved by using licorice. Both blood circulation in the heart and arteries and production of interferon-like substances by the immune system are stimulated by licorice
Eleuthero Root - Siberian Ginseng
This root increase’s mental alertness and performance, enhances concentration, improves sleep, builds and maintains muscle as we age
Adaptogens increase the body’s ability to cope with both physical and mental stresses and their use, particularly in the long term, leads to increased endurance. They work by “sensing” the body’s needs and tipping the balance in the right direction, hence they are usually very gentle and safe. For instance, the same adaptogen can help you sleep better by relaxing you in the evening and, if taken in the morning, can give you energy..
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola is an herb grown in the cold, mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. Rhodiola, for example, modulates the activity of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for their degradation. In this way, adaptogens may contribute to a more balanced emotional response to stress. Rhodiola rosea limits the release and production of cortisol when the body experiences stress. For those suffering from chronic stress, this can help prevent an adrenal crash and a worsening of their condition. Preliminary clinical research shows that oral rhodiola extract reduces fatigue and feelings of stress in stressful situations.
Curcumin
curcumin has been shown to restore the cortisol balance and the adrenal glands to their normal function. Curcumin improves both the oxidative and energy-restricting effect of stress while again restoring normal behavior.
Each 600mg Vegicap contains: Licorice Root 50mg; Ashwagandha 50mg; Astralagus Root 100mg; Eleuthero Root 100mg; Rhodolia Root 100mg; Curcumin 100mg. Contains no fillers, preservatives or bulking agents.
