Adrenal Stress Syndrome

Just like a whole person, your adrenal glands can feel exhausted or over stimulated.  And just like you (and me), we, and those adrenal glands, don’t function well when we are out of balance in either direction.  

Our primary product, as a whole person, is the harvesting of a special molecule called ATP.  (Energy) 

The product of the adrenal glands is blood glucose control…in particular, they are the guardians of HYPOGLYCEMIA (low blood sugar).  You know it when they fail…you feel jittery, shaky, irritable, maybe even nauseous.

Just like you and me, the adrenal glands have to ensure survival and manage stress just to get to our real job (making energy / keeping blood sugar stable, respectively).  And while we might think our next paycheck is survival, and the boss is stress, your adrenal glands worry about invasion (immune challenges), attack (physical danger), and stress over keeping the blood sugar from dropping.  

And quite possibly, one complication of restoring adrenal health is NOT considering potential immune challenges.  If you are exhausted, and wish for more energy…and simply take adaptogens or glandulars for the adrenal glands…without considering immune health…you might be disappointed.  (Imagine taking an adaptogens while you have a cold…the cold trumps the adrenals and keeps you in bed.)

This can be diagnostic though.  If you take tried and true adrenal exhaustion remedies…and don’t feel “remedied”…time to look at your immune challenges.

Hypo-Adrenal:  A classic sign of tired adrenals is hypoglycemia, especially when coupled with waking up several times a night.  (or waking and not being able to go back to sleep even though you are exhausted!).

My first thoughts with clear adrenal exhaustion or fatigue is True Stress Resilience, perhaps with some True Energy Boost if you are weary.  Adrenal glandulars work similarly to cortisone or prednisone, in that they stimulate the adrenal glands, but not to the extent of suppressing the immune system.  

Hyper-Adrenal:  A classic sign of over stimulated adrenals is falling asleep insomnia, especially when coupled with falling asleep after lunch (right when you NEED the energy for productivity).

My first thought for adrenal overdrive is True Calm.  These plants slow, soothe, and relax different parts of the nervous system.  

Adaptogens fit most adrenal dysfunction, as they “adapt” to whatever stress you are having.  With that said, the ginsengs are more stimulating and appropriate for tired adrenals.  Ashwagandha and Holy Basil I think of as regulators…help with shifting from night to day, rest to awake, etc.  Reishi and Astragalus for immune suppression with fatigue.  Schizandra and Rhodiola for mental and physical endurance.  

The glandular adaptogen is Drenamin…it is not whole gland (Dessicated Adrenal is the whole gland product), but an extract of proteins from the cells of adrenal glands, plus calming B vitamins.  Like the adaptogen plants, it can be used to treat hyper and hypo- adrenal function, plus has the glandular qualities of nourishing/healing the gland itself.    

There are more plants and nutrients that contribute to the health of the adrenals, but this list offers a starting point and the most common protocols I use for adrenal dysfunction.  And remember…if you pick a stimulating or soothing protocol, and don’t feel stimulated or soothed, go up the priority hierarchy to immune challenges.