From tiredness to irritability, the problems associated with adrenal fatigue can make day-to-day life difficult as well as wreak havoc on the overall quality of life. There are a wealth of adrenal fatigue supplements that claim to help with poorly functioning adrenal glands and run the gamut from everything from bovine adrenal glands to exotic herbs.
However, what is safe and effective? It is wise to do your research and pay attention to ingredients before deciding on a supplement. The safest and most effective adrenal fatigue supplements are well researched and have minimal potential side effects.
What is Adrenal Fatigue?
The adrenal glands make hormones, and some believe that stress can cause these glands to produce an inadequate amount of hormones, resulting in adrenal fatigue. Although it’s not recognized as a medical condition, proponents of the disorder believe it’s a real health problem.
Common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:
- Difficulty getting up in the morning, even if you’ve slept well
- Tend to have more energy during the evenings
- Extreme fatigue throughout the day
- Difficulty handling stress
- Craving salty foods
- A weak immune system
- Weight gain
- Low back pain
How to Treat Adrenal Fatigue
Some doctors feel the symptoms could be attributed to other health problems and there are tests that can be run to detect adrenal fatigue. However, many proponents of adrenal fatigue believe these tests aren’t sensitive enough to catch small changes in the hormones, but feel the body can. So they look at symptoms from your body to diagnose the condition.
Steps can be taken to help alleviate the symptoms of poorly functioning adrenal glands. Some people choose to treat the symptoms with supplements, however, be wary of unproven methods and treatments. They could be harmful to your health. However, there are natural adrenal fatigue supplements known to benefit everyone that are well researched and have minimal potential side effects.
1. Magnesium
Magnesium helps fight the effects of stress on the body. It does this by helping regulate the fight or flight response so the stress fighting hormones you need are there when you need them, at adequate levels. Magnesium and calcium work together regulating electrical impulses within the cells, which diminishes the tendency to overreact by regulating the electrical impulses within the cells.
When supplementing with Magnesium, it’s best to take the citrate or malate versions because they are more easily absorbed by the body. In addition, pay attention to how much you’re taking, and reduce your dosage, if you begin to have loose stool. Here’s a great option from Now Foods available on Amazon.
When magnesium is deficient, anxiety irritability and depression are more likely to occur even with minor stimulation. Magnesium deficiency slows the adrenals, producing a delayed response in your fight or flight hormones and raises cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine to unhealthy levels.
When magnesium levels are low, calcium stays within the cells for a prolonged period of time creating a whole host of problems like prolonged muscle contractions, anxiety, and irritability, as well as a racing heart. This deficiency causes an even greater loss through urination as well.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for the optimal functioning of the adrenal glands. It assists by regulating their function. Clinical studies show that it also helps to regulate the amount of cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine released during stress so that the body doesn’t produce too much or too little of these stress hormones. Additionally, it’s a powerful antioxidant capable of protecting the adrenal glands from DNA mutations. When selecting a vitamin C supplement look for the buffered variety. This should help eliminate possible problems caused by irritation of the GI track.
When vitamin C becomes deficient, cortisol levels go unchecked, and stress reactions occur more frequently and with less stimulation. Because vitamin C is responsible for both the synthesis and the creation of certain hormones, when deficient, it lacks the ability to successfully control the amount of hormones released during stressful situations.
One of the best ways to supplement vitamin C is with these gummies from Vitafusion.
3. Vitamins B5, B6, B12
There are particular B vitamins that play a central role in improving metabolic pathways which help to boost energy. Vitamin B5 helps with cell respiration by producing coenzyme A, while B6 is active in the process of adrenal hormone creation. B5 also helps to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. B12 plays an active role in energy production, cell repair, and maintenance, it even helps with the proper functioning of the red blood cells.
All 3 of these B vitamins are necessary for:
- Improving Metabolic Pathways
- Boosting Energy Levels
- Contributing to Cellular Respiration
The actual amounts needed of each of these B vitamins vary. You should take higher amounts of B5 than B6 and B12. To make sure you’re getting the right balance, get a B-Complex supplement. They’re made with the proper dosage of each B vitamin so you don’t have to guess. B vitamins work great as adrenal fatigue supplements.
4. Ashwagandha
If ever there was a herb that the body needs to help handle stress, it’s this one. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, and it does exactly that. It helps your body adapt to stress.
When your body is experiencing stress this herb helps it to produce stress hormones. Conversely, it also helps you to stop producing stress hormones when they are not needed. Ashwagandha also helps with the production of cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, when needed. This herb is a choice adaptogenic herb because of the amount of confirmed research that backs its effectiveness. It’s also recommended because of its minimal potential side effects.
The Best Solution
Individually, these different herbs and vitamins are great for adrenal fatigue supplementation. However, having to take four different supplements is very inconvenient. A great alternative is to take an all-inclusive adrenal fatigue supplement.
We recommend 1 Body’s Adrenal Support Dietary Supplement. It’s packed with a powerful list of health-boosting ingredients:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6 & B12
- Pantothenic Acid
- Magnesium
- L-tyrosine
- Eleuthero Extract
- Choline
- Ginger Extract
- Licorice Extract
- Gotu Kola
- Schizandra
Adrenal fatigue can be difficult to maneuver when left untreated. However, choosing effective adrenal fatigue supplements can be tricky with all the available treatments that claim to help with adrenal dysfunction; Well researched supplements should be high on the list of possible treatment options.
Supplementing with vitamins and herbs known to boost health and regulate bodily functions could be the answer to alleviating and helping many of the symptoms associated with this disorder. Supplements that address poorly functioning adrenal glands and boost and regulate energy are essential to a good treatment regimen. Magnesium, vitamin C, the B vitamins, and Ashwagandha all have safe positive effects on the adrenal glands and help with regulation, adaptation, and encouragement of hormonal production.