Hey mama! Are you experiencing stress, mood changes, loss of memory, weight gain, low libido, poor quality of sleep and/or frequent cold & flu? These symptoms may be overlooked as a side effect of being a busy mom, but you may actually be experiencing a treatable condition.

If you answered YES to any of the above, then you are most likely experiencing adrenal fatigue. This article provides IMMEDIATE step-by-step solutions to recover your adrenals and gain your health back.

What are ADRENALS and where are they found?

Adrenals are walnut size glands above your kidneys that significantly affect the functioning of every tissue, organ, and gland in your body and the way you think and feel. The main purpose of your adrenal glands is to help your body cope with stresses and survive. The adrenals are known as “the glands of stress.” It is their job to enable your body to deal with stress from every possible source, ranging from injury and diseases to work and relationship problems. Your resiliency, energy, endurance, and your life all depend on their proper functioning.

Numerous hormones secreted by your adrenals influence all of the major physiological processes in your body. They closely affect the utilization of carbohydrates and fats, the conversion of fats and proteins into energy, the distribution of stored fat (especially around your waist and at the sides of your face), normal blood sugar regulation, and proper cardiovascular and gastrointestinal function. The protective activity of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant hormones secreted by the adrenals helps to minimize negative and allergic reactions to alcohol, drugs, foods and environmental allergens.

After mid-life (menopause in women and andropause in men), the adrenal glands gradually become the major source of the sex hormones circulating throughout the body in both men and women. These hormones themselves have a whole host of physical, emotional, and psychological effects.

Low adrenal function causes severely diminished work performance, low sex drive, and weight gain. Every athlete knows that the adrenal hormones, more commonly known as steroids, acutely affect muscular strength and stamina.

Even your propensity to develop certain kinds of diseases and your ability to respond to chronic illness is influenced significantly by the adrenal glands. The more chronic the illness, the more critical the adrenal response becomes. Your health depends on adrenal glands function because you cannot live without your adrenal hormones.

What are the causes of adrenal fatigue?

Stress is the main cause of adrenal fatigue. Stress can be from overwork, weight gain, trauma, emotional, psychological, environmental (chemicals and pollutants), infectious, or a combination of these. It is important to know that your adrenals respond the same way, whatever the source of stress might be.

How can you tell you have adrenal fatigue?

Poor performance and weak productivity
After a long night sleep, you wake up tired and/or unable to get up.
You turn to caffeine and sugar as energy source
Craving salty snacks and/or sugars
Unable to handle stress –feeling overwhelmed, irritable, depressed and anxious.
Lack of motivation, concentration, and inability to recall information.
Weight gain
Low sex drive
Frequent cold & flu
Joint pain and stiffness
Muscle pain
Underactive thyroid
Digestive disturbances (constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating)

Laboratory tests for adrenal fatigue:

Saliva Hormone Testing
Thyroid profile (TSH, fT4, fT3 & antibodies)

What are treatment options for adrenal fatigue?

It is imperative that you follow these adrenal gland recovery solutions to improve your energy and vitality. However, this article is not intended to substitute for the advice, treatment and/or diagnosis of your physician.

Create a routine and stick to it
Don’t overwork yourself
Incorporate good sleep hygiene
Get plenty of restful sleep
Mind and body recovery (De-stress on a daily basis)
Remove high processed foods, sugar, and sodas from your diet
Eliminate caffeine as much as possible
Eat at the right times (don’t skip breakfast & don’t eat too late)
Recognize food allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances, and avoid them
Your adrenals need nutrients high in vitamins and minerals from food, supplements, and herbs
Vitamin C, magnesium, B5, B6, B12, probiotics, omega-3, D-Ribose, acetyl-L-carnitine, licorice root, ashwagandha, maca root, Rhodiola, all are important nutrients for adrenal glands recovery.
Balance hormones
Moderate exercise, such as yoga, Tai chi, Qigong, Earthing (connect with nature) and walking
HAVE LOTS OF FUN AND ENJOY LIFE!