Recovering from burnout

Adrenal glands are responsible for producing several hormones daily that are used throughout the body. When  your adrenal glands become fatigued, it can trigger other health problems, starting with a hormone imbalance. Since your adrenal glands are so important to overall body function, it’s common for adrenal fatigue to become noticeable in several areas of your life, although you may not be sure exactly what is happening internally.

The most common adrenal disorder can occur even if you aren’t physically ill; instead, it seems more stress-related. Symptoms are commonly autoimmune reactions, so for some people it can be hard to diagnose. When the autoimmune system starts working on overdrive, it begins attacking healthy tissue because it mistakenly suspects that the body is being attacked by a threat. This disorder is commonly called “adrenal fatigue” and can result in serious hormonal imbalances and hormone-related symptoms.

The main hormone produced by the adrenal glands is the stress hormone cortisol. Other than regulating stress, cortisol is responsible for regulating electrolyte balance, managing fluid retention and body weight, helping you sleep and concentrate, providing you with a sex drive, and much more.

Another important hormone produced by the adrenal glands is aldosterone. Aldosterone binds with the kidneys to cause the conservation of sodium and secretion of potassium, which increases water retention and blood pressure. The overall effect of aldosterone is to increase the reabsorption of ions and water in the kidneys. Its role as a human metabolite is extremely important in regulating electrolyte and water balance throughout the body.

Adrenal fatigue can also contribute to estrogen and testosterone deficiencies. When chronic stress, including from disease or even extreme athletic training, causes the adrenals to produce more cortisol and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone that your adrenals use to make other hormones) at the expense of producing sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone levels fall.

These consequences are particularly significant for women who are perimenopausal or menopausal, given that the adrenal glands are critical to postmenopausal estrogen and testosterone production.

You may experience consistent generalized fatigue, even with adequate rest; low body temperature; light-headedness; increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections; and increased environmental sensitivities and food allergies. You may also crave sugar.

Some of the most common symptoms are:

• chronic fatigue that lasts more than a couple of weeks
• muscle weakness
• changes in appetite, mainly a loss of appetite
• weight loss
• digestive issues
• low blood pressure or blood sugar
• mood changes, irritability and depression
• irregular or missed periods

If you believe you are suffering from adrenal fatigue, I recommend you schedule an appointment with a doctor, but there are also a few natural things you can do to help reverse the symptoms—and restore hormone balance.

Adjust your diet

Eliminate or limit caffeine, alcohol, sugar and processed food and eat foods low in the glycemic index.

Eat more protein

Eat 1 g of lean protein per pound of body weight and eat natural carbs like vegetables with low-sugar fruits like berries.

Reduce stress

Implement self-care, such as meditation and breathing techniques. 

Spend time outdoors

Add moderate outdoor exercise and get professional help asneeded.

Make sleep a priority

Get yourself on a sleeping schedule with eight to 10 hours of sleep a night to let your body refuel.

Try essential oils

Include a few drops of lavender, nutmeg, pine, rosemary, spruce, sweet orange and valerian oils in your bath or massage oil to support the adrenal glands and possibly help with symptoms of low cortisol. 

Get tested for food allergies 

Before you begin taking supplements, speak to a qualified practitioner first and see what is recommended. But advice should include:

• An adrenal complex supplement made from the desiccated adrenal glands of cows, pigs or sheep, taken for a few weeks to a few months.
• One or more adaptogenic supplements—plants and plant-derived substances that can help support the adrenal system and the body’s ability to manage stress and fend off fatigue: licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), the Ayurvedic medicine ashwagandha, rhodiola (golden root), the Peruvian herb maca, or the plant-based amino acid derivative betaine, which has been shown to support muscle gain (600 mg) and fat loss (1,000 mg). Take them before meals, ideally in combination with pepsin for maximum efficacy.
• A methylated B-complex vitamin that contains folic acid (1,000–2,000 mcg), riboflavin (25 mg), vitamin B6 (10–25 mg), and vitamin B12 (also called methylcobalamin or, in its synthetic form, cyanocobalamin, 1,000 mcg).
• Fish oils and vitamin C (3 g each per day).

Dr Shawn Tassone is a double-board-certified physician in obstetrics/gynecology and integrative medicine and author of The Hormone Balance Bible (Hay House, 2021).

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