Instruction to Adrenal Stressed Patients

Adrenal gland responds to our everyday stresses. Long-term stress eventually causes adrenal malfunction. Not only busy lifestyle stresses adrenal. Physical diseases and emotional issues also stress adrenal a lot. Clinically we found that chronic diseases such as pain, allergies, candida and food indigestion give adrenal a lot of pressure and cause many adrenal deficiency cases.

Adrenal malfunction is classified into two stages, stressed stage and fatigued stage. In stressed stage, high production of cortisol leads to insulin resistance, low thyroid function, fat accumulation, low sex hormone production and the patients often show insomnia, hard to relax, afternoon fatigue, low metabolism or weight gain. If the stress factors are not resolved, the malfunction of adrenal gland further develops into fatigue stage, in which patients experience tired easily, low healing ability and other degeneration related symptoms. To identify detailed stages of adrenal problems, a saliva test for cortisol pattern is helpful.

To help adrenal recover, eliminating stress factors is always the first approach and supporting adrenal is secondary. Addressing inflammation, allergies, candida, emotional issues and indigestion helps adrenal recover completely. The following is a guideline for those who have already been treating those stress factors. Lifestyle changes is necessary to help adrenal recover faster.

 

Lifestyle Changes for Adrenal Stress Syndrome

 

1. Avoiding Adrenal Stimulators

It is very important to avoid certain foods and chemicals in order to avoid excessive stress on the adrenal glands. Patients who do not comply with avoiding stimulators will not reach optimal results. The following is a list of foods and chemicals that need to be avoided as much as possible when attempting to normalize adrenal function.

· Concentrated sugars

· Caffeine (decaffeinated is not acceptable because it is still 60% caffeinated)

· Nicotine

· Alcohol

· Allergic food (histamine is an adrenal stimulant)

· Partially hydrogenated fats such as deep fried food and shortenings (inhibit steroid hormone synthesis

· Artificial sweeteners (blocks the conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine, which is needed to synthesize catecholamines in the adrenal medulla)

· Over training

· Inadequate sleep

 

2.           Stabilize Glucose Levels

When blood sugar levels fall, healthy adrenals restore the levels back to normal. If blood sugar levels are not stabilized, there will not be optimal results when attempting to correct adrenal status. Here is the Dietary Guidelines to Stabilize Glucose Levels.

· Do not skip breakfast

· Eat a high quality protein based breakfast

· Eat every 2-3 hours. Do not wait until you are hungry

· Snack with low glycemic foods such as nuts, seeds, hard-boiled eggs, etc.

· Avoid all fruit juices and carrot juice

· Never consume high glycemic fruits (foods) without a source of protein

· Avoid all adrenal stimulants

· Eat a well balanced diet consisting mostly of vegetables, quality grains and lean meats

 

3.           Exercise in Aerobic Heart Range

We have two systems of energy production in our bodies—aerobic and anaerobic. Anaerobic exercises include activities that require fast explosive movements such as weight lifting, fast paced jogging, and any other for of exercise that can not be performed for a long duration. This type of exercise will put excess stress on the adrenals. On the other hand, aerobic exercise includes long duration and slow paced activities such as walking, slow jogging, slow cycling, and any other for of exercise that involves endurance. This type of exercise will help decrease cortisol levels and will help to burn body fat as well. Aerobic exercise will benefit the patients who have stressed adrenal glands.

4. Relaxation Techniques

The stressful daily life can have an adverse impact on the adrenal glands. This is especially important with those who have a high load of emotional or mental stress. Simple and quick relaxation such as meditation or Yoga can be very helpful in reducing mental effects of stress on those with adrenal stress syndrome. For each week, 3-4 sessions of 20-minute relaxation are necessary.