Natural Healing for Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys and are mainly responsible for regulating stress hormones. Although adrenal fatigue can affect anyone who experiences frequent stress, it isn't an easy diagnosis. Doctors like Bruce Rind M.D., an assistant professor at Howard University College of Medicine, feel it might be at the root of dozens of symptoms such as fatigue, poor memory, sleep disorders, skin issues and weight problems. With diet and lifestyle changes, you can improve or even cure your stressed adrenals.

Diet

• Eat a natural diet filled with whole foods--those that are unprocessed and unrefined--as much possible. Eliminate all sugars including honey, molasses, syrups and fruit juices. Instead of large meals that are hard to digest, eat five or six small meals a day that have organic protein like eggs, meats, fish, nuts and seeds in combination with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, corn, brown rice, quinoa and root vegetables. But stay away from any suspected allergens like wheat, dairy and soy, which are hard on the adrenals and the immune system in general. Eat five to ten servings of vegetables each day to help provide a wide variety of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Use only healthy oils such as olive oil, flaxseed oil, coconut oil and butter. Choose sea salt over table salt, but in general, avoid foods high in sodium and make sure to get enough potassium from foods like sunflower seeds, nuts, yams, spinach and beans. Especially avoid all caffeine and stimulants and drink plenty of filtered water to stay hydrated and flush toxins out of your system.

Supplements

• Try supplementing with vitamins and minerals known to help support adrenal function, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium and particularly pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), which is closely involved in adrenal cortex function and has come to be known as the "anti-stress" vitamin. Another helpful supplement to try is ginseng, which has energy-enhancing properties and is available in capsule or tea form.

Lifestyle

• Avoid vigorous exercise, which depletes the adrenals, until you're healthier. On the other hand, gentle walking is very beneficial. Try stretching along with deep-breathing techniques like pilates and yoga.

  See if your health insurance plan covers alternative therapies that can be useful in combating stress-related adrenal fatigue. Good choices are acupuncture and acupressure, massage therapy, and chiropractic adjustments.

  Another way to cut down on the stress that assaults your body is reducing the amount of chemicals in your life. Replace toxic cleaning products around the house with natural products and use gentler forms of hair dyes, shampoos, makeup and skin care products. Don't underestimate the importance of sleep in stress relief. Get eight to ten of hours of sleep each night, and take naps during the day.

  Most of all, eliminate as many of the things from your life that are draining, and replace them with those that are fulfilling, like going to the beach, playing with your grandchildren, dancing, making music, writing or painting.