age is really just a number

Let’s talk about adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue stems from chronic stress that persists. This stress overstimulates your adrenal glands which are located above your kidneys. Severe, prolonged stress overtaxes these glands, and they start to “burn out” or basically tell you to F*** off! This leads to inconsistent levels of cortisol in your bloodstream. When your cortisol is out of whack, you tend to experience energy levels that fluctuate, mood swings, sleeping difficulty, weight gain and can even lead to heart-related issues.

You cannot eliminate all the stress in your life. Mild and intermittent stress actually tends to make the body healthier. A good example of this is exercise followed by rest period.  It is prolonged significant stress that results in adrenal fatigue. There are many ways to eliminate unnecessary stress. See my previous blog post for tips for dealing with stress.

There are also adrenal supplements that can help you recover from periods of excessive stress and burnout. Just like any other supplements, don’t start something new without discussing with your doctor. Remember that supplements are not approved by the FDA for the treatment, diagnosis, prevention or curing of any disease.

Here are my top picks for best adrenal supplements.

1. Adrenal Edge: Fatigue Support with Adaptogens. This is a product by Go Nutrients. It is a liquid drop and is more quickly absorbed than capsules. The healing adaptogens get to work faster. It’s also easier to take than a capsule. The downside is that it tastes a little like liquid dirt. I mix it with juice to help get it down. Another precaution is that it contains licorice root, which can increase your blood pressure. If you suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure) I recommend you check with your doctor before adding this supplement to your regimen.

• Gaia Herbs Adrenal Healthy Nightly Restore. This is a Gaia Herbs supplement that works while you sleep to help support your adrenal glands and balance your cortisol levels. This supplement utilizes the power of adaptogens to help you relax and achieve a sense of calmness as you drift off to sleep. This promotes a healthier sleep cycle. I love a supplement that works while you sleep. Another upside is that Gaia is known for their quality control. Every bottle has an ID number that allows you to see where the ingredients come from. The biggest downside of this supplement is it’s a little pricey. If you have sleep issues, this is the best one for the job. 

• SOOTHE Adrenal and Thyroid Supplement. This is a WellPath formula. This supplement has the best combinations of adaptogenic herbs, L-tyrosine and Eleuthero. Eleuthero is known to balance stress and improve central nervous system functioning, while L-tyrosine is used by your adrenal glands to make norepinephrine which improves your overall mood. This formulation also includes thyroid gland support. The best part is that you usually notice better sleep, energy and decreased stress effect in less than two weeks. And while it can help you regulate your cortisol it also assists with chronic headaches and weight gain. 

• Premium Ashwagandha 1000mg with Artichoke. A Havasu Nutrition supplement. Ashwagandha has been used for centuries to decrease anxiety while balancing the thyroid and adrenal systems. Havasu also places a lot of emphasis on a quality product and has third-party testing to assure potency and quality. One downside to this supplement is that it has been linked with some acid reflux issues. Again, if you have any kind of stomach issues you may want to discuss this with your doctor or stick to the prior mentioned options.

There are lots of other options for adrenal supplementation, but these have been identified as the four most effective and quality products.  Adrenal health is paramount to overcome burnout symptoms and supplements can accelerate your recovery when coupled with a comprehensive lifestyle stress reduction plan.