Diet for Adrenal Insufficiency

According to information from the National Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Information Services, adrenal insufficiency is a disease that can occur where the adrenals fail to produce sufficient amounts of required hormones. The adrenal glands are two small glands that sit atop the kidneys, being responsible for producing a number of stress hormones such as cortisol and cortisone, along with maintaining blood pressure and aiding the regulation of metabolism. Symptoms include constant fatigue coupled with hypotension and a possible craving for salty foods.

Dieting

• Follow a healthy diet to help curb the threat of adrenal insufficiency. According to information from the Penn State College of Medicine and the medical information site Doc20.com, the proper diet to help eliminate adrenal insufficiency includes a relatively high intake of proteins, complex carbohydrates, unrestricted sodium intake, and regulation of blood-sugar levels. Put this approach into action by consuming a diet consisting of five to six small meals consumed every two to three hours throughout the day. Each meal should consist of a lean protein source such as chicken, low-fat meat or seafood, along with one or two servings of complex carbohydrates such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains (with a preference for fruits and veggies, as they tend to provide the body with more nutrients with fewer calories). Keep your blood-sugar levels stable by consuming roughly the same number of carbs per meal in addition to avoiding fast-digesting carbs such as white flour and sugar, which can spike blood sugar to high levels. Additionally, feel free to consume healthy foods that contain higher amounts of sodium such as salted or roasted nuts, as salt will help alleviate some of the stress from your adrenals, facilitating a smoother recovery.

Supplementation

• According to information from the medical website of Lawrence Wilson, M.D., adrenal insufficiency should also be treated with vitamins and nutritional supplementation. Purchase a multivitamin (or individual vitamins) containing vitamins A, C and E, and the minerals manganese and zinc. Take according to the recommended dosage to help improve the function of your adrenal gland, overcoming the threat of adrenal insufficiency.

  Beyond strictly dieting, remember that stress plays a role in overworking the adrenal glands, so attempt to limit all sources of stress whenever possible, whether from social situations, employment or recreational activities. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or recreational exercise can also help you overcome adrenal insufficiency in part by reducing your overall stress levels and improving your body's response to stress that does occur.