About 10 years ago, I found my health slowly declining as I was afflicted with brain fog and fatigue. I didn’t want to sleep but did not want to get off the couch and had little inspiration or energy to do anything. At the time, the extent of my family’s history with autoimmune diseases was not fully known. I went to several doctors, none of which could find any problems. However, I then discovered Dr. Michael Doyle at Stamford Integrative Medicine in Connecticut who found that my daily cortisol production was under 5 ug/dL (15-25 is normal and 3 is considered “crisis” when organs start shutting down). He immediately put me on a regimen that included prednisone and several supplements to address my Hashimoto’s and Addison’s diseases. Within weeks, my fatigue and fog had lessened. Now, 5 years later, I have some of the best mental and physical energy I’ve ever had. Ironically, my adrenal glands have started producing more natural cortisol.
What I’ve come to realize is that stress happens in life. Without healthy and functioning adrenal glands, you will not be able to have a stable and healthy response to it. This typically leads to fatigue. In addition, stress can lead to mental fogginess and ultimately depression. Stress also impairs your immune system throwing you out of balance.
We have a built in response for unexpected stress -- typically called fight-or-flight or an adrenaline rush. This cortisol boost comes from your adrenal glands to help you fight physical and emotional stress. For unknown reasons, the body’s stress hormones can remain “on”. Over time, this can wear down your adrenal response so that your glands no longer produce sufficient cortisol levels. This not only affects your stress response but also how you feel as the typical person produces 15-25 ug/dL just to get through the average day. Underproduction at this level can cause adrenal fatigue and is what makes you sick.
You can do something about adrenal fatigue as you’re likely affected by it. Almost any person can experience it at some point in their life be it from a prolonged stressful situation, a family history or simply age. However, due to the widespread effect of the adrenals on a number of body functions, symptoms of adrenal fatigue can be confused for other disorders and not always identified by doctors. Typical symptoms include extreme fatigue (and not just “sleepiness”), brain fog and unexpected weight gain. Just being fatigued is not necessarily a sign of adrenal fatigue. However, if you do have some or all of these signs, you should see an adrenal/autoimmune specialist who can properly test and diagnose your condition.
If you do think you have the onset of adrenal fatigue, various interventions are often recommended including pharmaceuticals (prednisone as one common choice), diet change (low carb and gluten free) and supplements. Adrenal fatigue causes not only a deficiency in hormones, but also a deficiency in many of the vitamins, minerals and essential compounds that our bodies need to function.
Introducing our specialized formulated Adrenal Support with Ashwagandha
Don’t let stress win. Our Adrenal Support blend with Ashwagandha, Vit C & B-6, L-Tyrosine, Ginseng, Licorice, Rhodiola Rosea, Holy Basil Leaf & more ensures your cortisol (the stress response hormone) response is in balance.
There are a number of herbs, probiotics and other supplements that play valuable roles in the treatment of adrenal fatigue. Using the right combination of these, together with the appropriate adjustments in your diet and lifestyle, will go a long way towards reversing the problems associated with adrenal fatigue. Here are the key components in our Adrenal Support capsules:
Ashwagandha, also known as "Indian ginseng" (but not related to Asian Ginseng), is an herb that is known to boost the immune system, stimulate the thyroid, prevent cortisol loss and enhance cognition among many other characteristics. This “miracle herb” is unique in that it helps stimulate both adrenal and thyroid functions. Known as an adaptogenic, ashwagandha regulates various systems in our bodies. If cortisol is too high, it acts to lower it, And if cortisol is too low, it acts to raise it.
Licorice root is an herb that has long been used to stimulate hormone production, maintain energy levels and increase stamina. It helps cortisol circulate longer, but there is one thing to be aware of: licorice root can raise your blood pressure. Do not take it if you have high blood pressure. This is not usually a problem for most adrenal fatigue sufferers as they tend to have low blood pressure.
Panax ginseng, also known as Asian/Korean ginseng, is native to East Asia and Russia. The root of the plant is an adaptogen being used medicinally as an immune system booster. It contains panaxoside, also called ginsenoside, which is the most valuable component in the root.
Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) belongs to the Eleutherococcus family rather than the Panax family. As with Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng is also considered an adaptogen as it provides a boost to your overall health. It contains polysaccharides which are associated with lower blood sugar levels, and eleutherosides are its active ingredient.
Panax and Siberian ginseng have similar medicinal benefits. Both support to your immune system, help reduce stress, improve overall mood and promote a sense of well-being. They are also both associated with increased mental ability and concentration, greater alertness and higher stamina levels.
Rhodiola Rosea is popular in Scandinavia and Russia. This herb can help with a wide variety of conditions including muscle tension, poor circulation, depression and fatigue. By improving our circulation it enables us to increase our cortisol production further when we need it.
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that is a precursor to the production of cortisol, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. For someone with low cortisol, using tyrosine may be helpful in the production of it. You should see an improvement in focus and concentration. Do not use this if you have high cortisol levels as it will help you produce more.
Astragalus is another adaptogen. It helps support the nervous system and limit the effects of stress. It also contains protein, calcium, magnesium, silica, iron, and vitamins, all of which help to strengthen the body as a whole and impart energy.
Suma Root has been used for hundreds of years for medicinal purposes. It is considered an adaptogen, a substance that strengthens and protects the body and mind against stress. South American natives would consume it daily to increase physical strength, energy and stamina. It promotes a hormonal balance and strengthens the adrenal glands as well as being a powerful immune system booster.
Holy Basil Leaf has anti-stress properties making it a fairly safe herb for adrenal fatigue treatment. In addition to lowering cortisol during exposure to stress, Holy Basil also lowers total cholesterol and boosts your immune system.
Black Pepper Fruit’s most active constituent, Piperine, helps support the absorption of other herbs. Our proprietary formulation, BioPerine®, also has antioxidant properties.
So why don’t you try our new Adrenal Support formula today. I know I am.