Let’s take a closer look at these compounds and how natural adrenal supplements can help.
Vitamin C:
The adrenal glands require Vitamin C to produce stress hormones and maintain their balance. When you are under chronic stress, Vitamin C can become depleted. Vitamin C is water soluble and is not stored in the body, so replenishing your supply daily through a
high quality multivitamin supplement is an important step to keep the adrenals and all your tissues nourished.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid):
Vitamins in the B complex family improve cellular energy. Certain B vitamins, including Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) provide targeted support to the adrenals. As studies show, B5 supports balanced cortisol production and helps reduce levels of excess
cortisol triggered during stress events.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine):
An overactive stress response can disrupt the nervous system and neurotransmitter production, often leading to depressed mood, jumpiness and anxious feelings. Vitamin B6 helps restore equilibrium to your nervous system by supporting the manufacture of key neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Vitamin E:
A powerful antioxidant, vitamin E supports hormone production and stress recovery by protecting adrenal tissue from free radical damage that impairs function.
Calcium:
The mineral calcium acts like a shock absorber for the adrenals during times of stress by assisting in restoring calm to the body after the stressor has passed.
Magnesium:
Magnesium supports balanced blood glucose metabolism and neurotransmitter production, helping stabilize mood and increase feelings of calm. Most of us don’t get anywhere near enough magnesium in our diets. Chronic stress further depletes magnesium, leaving you at much higher risk of deficiency. Studies show daily
magnesium supplementation can improve sleep and promote relaxation.
Trace minerals:
Adrenal imbalances can trigger and/or worsen other problems, like low thyroid function. Zinc, manganese, selenium, and iodine are trace minerals needed to keep your entire endocrine system humming along and your hormones balanced. It’s important to supplement with these trace minerals since it’s difficult to get enough through diet alone.
Nature has a few other tricks up her sleeve to help us deal with our stress, whether it’s physical, emotional, or environmental. Here are some adaptogenic substances which are especially useful for maintaining a healthy stress response and keeping you calm and focused.
Astragalus root
This staple of herbal medicine enhances the body’s natural ability to adapt to stress, bolstering the immune system so that you stay well. Astragalus root even helps maintain normal blood sugar levels and alleviates insulin resistance.
Cordyceps
This wild fungus, found in the high altitude Tibetan Plateau, is part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to adrenal health. Cordyceps helps support physical stamina, energy levels and immune health during times of stress. Cordyceps also assists in balancing the body’s inflammatory response and helps stabilize blood sugars.
Eleuthoro
Formerly called Siberian ginseng, Eleuthoro acts to limit excess cortisol in your system by inhibiting the cortisol-boosting enzyme C-Jun N-terminal kinase. Through this action, Eleuthoro helps to shorten recovery from acute stress, decrease stress-related fatigue, improve stamina, and regulate blood sugar.
L-theanine
An amino acid found in green tea, L-theanine helps the brain enter a more relaxed state, lowering stress hormone levels. In one study, participants given L-theanine one hour before undertaking a stressful task reported lower levels of stress while performing the task. Through saliva testing, researchers even detected lower levels of stress hormones after the stressful task for up to three hours later.
Rhodiola rosea
Also known as “golden root,” Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb that helps protect against stress-related fatigue and “burnout”, encouraging a balanced response to stress throughout the body. Rhodiola increases mental clarity and offers immune and blood sugar support. Studies show that added benefits of Rhodiola are its antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties.
Passion flower
This wildflower from South America is a calming herbal agent shown to reduce excess cortisol levels. Passion flower is also believed to bind to GABA receptors to ease restlessness and improve mood and sleep.
Phosphatidylserine
This phospholipid is an important blocking agent that protects against the harmful effects of cortisol at the cellular level. Phosphatidylserine is also important for brain health, helping with focus and mental clarity.
The best supplements for adrenal fatigue In an ideal world, we’d get all the nutrients we need to restore adrenal health from a
well-balanced diet . However, adaptogenic herbs aren’t typically part of everyday foods, and no matter how well we eat, a stressful day can really burn through all our nutrient stockpiles. The best supplements for adrenal fatigue are those formulated to address fatigue and stress symptoms by delivering key nutrients in therapeutic amounts.
Home Remedies for Adrenal Fatigue
