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.
If you download my free thyroid book from
AshevilleThryoidClinic.com, I give a thorough (and concise) breakdown of
evaluating and treating your immune challenges (so many thyroid problems are
immune).
I also have a section on treating adrenals…but I’ll summarize
that here.
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 are whole
adrenal glandulars and licorice root. 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. Licorice improves your “gas
mileage”…it keeps the available cortisol circulating longer so we get more
blood sugar stimulation from less production.
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 thoughts for adrenal overdrive are phosphatidyl
serine, lemon balm, passion flower, and skullcap. These are products that 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.
