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Foods for Adrenal Fatigue

Do you wake up after a full night's sleep still feeling tired and lethargic? At night are you tired, but too wound up to fall asleep? These are signs of adrenal fatigue.

People with adrenal fatigue have adrenal glands that are over-taxed and under-cared for. If you feel like this, you're undoubtedly searching for a way of curing adrenal fatigue.

  1. The Adrenal Glands

    • You have two adrenal glands--one located on top of each kidney. These small glands produce essential hormones, including epinephrine and norepinepherine, which are neurotransmitters that help your body deal with stressful situations.

    Adrenal Fatigue

    • When your adrenal glands are unable to function at their optimal level, this is called adrenal fatigue. Usually a time of prolonged or very intense stress will wear out the adrenal glands, leaving you with a constant feeling of malaise.

      Symptoms of adrenal fatigue are feeling tired for no reason, feeling overwhelmed, inability to recover after an illness or stressful event, not feeling "awake" until a few hours after you've gotten up in the morning, a resurgence of energy after 6 p.m., and feelings of weakness and lethargy.

    Nutrition for Adrenal Fatigue

    • Eating the best foods for adrenal fatigue will work wonders to help you regain energy.

      According to Project Aware, a diet for adrenal fatigue will consist of complex carbohydrates, protein and oils such as flax, fish and olive oil. Several servings of vegetables per day will continue to help your adrenal glands regain balance and begin to work correctly again.

      Eating regular meals and never skipping breakfast is essential, as is avoidance of simple carbohydrates, sugar, hydrogenated fats, junk foods and caffeine.

      Additionally, the use of sea salt helps to restore electrolytes that may be out of balance when the adrenal glands aren't working right.

    Supplements for Adrenal Fatigue

    • Along with eating a good diet that is aimed at curing adrenal fatigue, you should take a dietary supplement that supplies the following: vitamin E, vitamin B complex, magnesium, pantothenic acid and trace minerals such as zinc, manganese, chromium, copper, iodine, molybdenum and selenium.

    Other Healthy Habits for Adrenal Fatigue

    • Because adrenal fatigue not only leaves you feeling tired and lethargic physically, but generally not well emotionally, there are other habits you should engage in that will help adrenal fatigue.

      The Thornton Natural Health Care Center suggests that you get regular, moderate exercise--it will increase your body's overall health and help you feel better.

      Once you've changed your eating habits and are consuming the best foods for adrenal fatigue, you will still need to get enough rest and down time. It can take a few months to a few years for the effects of adrenal fatigue to disappear, so don't push yourself.

      When you are stressed, find productive and positive ways to deal with that stress, instead of allowing it to overtax your system.

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