How to cure adrenal fatigue.
 
By Cori Chong


Lots of people have stress living in today's world. What many people don't realize is their own symptoms of chronic stress and the effect that chronic stress has on their endocrine system. And it's effect on their overall health as well.

When living a stressful life becomes a chronic condition and you can never recover from one stressful event before another one comes along, your adrenal glands can become very tired. The adrenal glands provide us with the resiliency, energy, and endurance necessary to live a productive life. But whenever we become overwhelmed by chronic stress even the most simple situations can seem very stressful and our bodies are not able to recover from these events. Our ability to manage stress in our lives becomes very much compromised. Throw in a divorce, death of a loved one, or an excessively competitive workplace and you have a recipe for disaster.

Then begins a vicious circle, stress...exhaustion...more stress. After years (or sometimes even a few months) of this behavior our adrenal glands are producing so much cortisol (the hormone secreted by the adrenal glands) on such a regular basis that they start to get tired and worn out. And without attention to this condition your adrenal glands start producing less and less cortisol and you become more and more exhausted.

At this point you are weak and tired all of the time. Your immune system starts to malfunction and you get sick at the drop of a hat. Your brain becomes very foggy and you can barely remember your own name much less which client gets what contract. Or which jumper belongs to which child. Or have you ever been driving in your car and began to wonder after only a few minutes of travel...where am I going? You begin to feel like the walking dead.

Cortisol is a hormone. When cortisol levels become low, other hormones can react and pretty soon your body is malfunctioning! The adrenal gland secretes hormones that affect all of the primary physiological processes in your body.

Untreated this condition can lead to chronic illness which once again affects the adrenal glands. And the more chronic the illness the more critical the adrenal response becomes. That's why so many serious illnesses are treated by giving patients Hydrocortisone or Prednisone to help the adrenal glands function better, which in turn reduces negative symptoms that the patient is experiencing.

Your adrenal glands need lots of care and attention. Many times a lifestyle change is required for patients to ever fully recover. Removing stressful activities, getting lots of sleep, and eating a healthful diet free of chemicals and sugar are important but beginning steps in treating this condition.


To learn more about the symptoms of chronic stress and your adrenal glands visithttp://www.prescriptionsforstress.com - a popular website with lots of free and useful information on chronic stress on it's impact on your health.

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By Ann Musico


According to Mayoclinic.com, depression is one of the most common health conditions in the world. It is also expected to be the second leading cause of disability for people of all ages by 2020. It is a medical illness involving both the soul (your mind/thoughts and emotions) and the physical body. While the severity and symptoms vary widely since each person experiences it differently, these are the most common symptoms:

Loss of interest in normal daily activities 
Feeling sad or down 
Feeling hopeless 
Crying spells for no apparent reason 
Problems sleeping 
Trouble focusing or concentrating 
Difficulty making decisions 
Unintentional weight gain or loss 
Irritability 
Restlessness 
Being easily annoyed 
Feeling fatigued or weak 
Feeling worthless 
Loss of interest in sex 
Thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior 
Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

There are no known specific causes of depression. However, a variety of biochemical, genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role. What I would like to focus on are some possible physical/nutritional causes that you can take steps to address.

Let's begin with nutritional deficiencies that may be underlying factors:

Decreased levels of minerals, particularly, magnesium, iron and zinc as well as vitamins C, B3, B6. B12 and folic acid have been found to increase risk. These nutrients are necessary in order for your body to convert amino acids in your foods into brain chemicals.

That brings us right into amino acid deficiency. Amino acids are necessary for production of brain chemicals and hormones that impact your moods and ability to effectively manage stress.

Inadequate intake of Omega 3's, common in our SAD (Standard American Diet), is associated with increased risk of depression.

Certain foods are known to cause health problems, including depression. ANY food you are allergic or sensitive to can cause your immune system to over-react, which can be a risk factor. The foods most commonly found to be the culprits include wheat, dairy, oranges, eggs, yeast-containing foods, shellfish, nuts, soy and the nightshade vegetables like eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes.

A diet high in refined carbohydrates can cause nutrient deficiencies as well as blood sugar imbalances, which in turn have been linked to lower serotonin levels (the feel good brain chemical). Heavy metal toxicity has been linked to anxiety, depression and fatigue. There are also several physical conditions that are thought to contribute to depression:

Adrenal fatigue can be a major factor in depression. The adrenal glands produce hormones including DHEA, adrenalin and noradrenalin which affect the ability to deal with stress and motivation. Stress itself is a primary cause of adrenal fatigue.

Closely linked to adrenal fatigue is hypothyroidism or under-active thyroid, which is one of the most common causes of depression. In part two I will share steps can you take to minimize your risk.


Ann Musico is a certified Biblical health coach and holistic nutritional consultant. She has developed a "3-D Living Program" as well as coaching packages, e-books and newsletters to assist her coaching clients in achieving vibrant health and wholeness. Visit her website at http://www.threedimensionalvitality.com to learn more.

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By Madhurima Devi Sarma


Do you know body's requirement for energy will go up when the body experiences a stressful situation. Because our body releases a specific hormone called adrenaline (known as stress hormone), which kick starts a variety of physical reaction designed to help the body deal with the crisis. For example breathing becomes faster, the heart rate speeds up, digestion slows down etc. Simultaneously it needs certain nutrients in abundance. Let me give you a brief idea about some of the very important nutrients to help you cope up with stressful situation.

Vitamin B1, help us to cope with increased energy need when the body is in stress. It is found in liver, brewer's yeast etc. Vitamin B5 which is essential for adrenal function is considered the anti stress vitamin because it helps the body to cope with stress.Vitamin B5 can be derived from Avocado and Mushroom.

Vitamin A, C, and E which are also known as antioxidants are needed to fight with free radicals the natural by products of stress In addition vitamin C is a key vitamin for adrenal glands and is easily depleted when the adrenal glands are working overtime. Amla(Indian goose berry)and all citrus fruits, black currants, green pepper, mango,papaya etc. are good sources.

Mineral like potassium are also important anti stress nutrients. Body's demand for potassium will also go up with the increased energy need, because increase energy production causes increase excretion of potassium. A diet high in citrus fruits, dark green leafy vegetables can fulfill the demand for potassium.

Magnesium, another important mineral, needed for efficient nerve transmission, when depleted during stress. Deficiency can result in fatigue, mental confusion, irritability and insomnia. A diet high in green leafy vegetables can meet this demand.

Calcium is also required for healthy nerves and work with magnesium to reduce irritability and insomnia. Dairy products and green leafy vegetables are rich source of calcium. Finally I would like to conclude that if you are suffering with panic attack of stress then you should certainly give proper attention to diet, especially food rich in vitamin B1, B5, antioxidants like vitamin A, C, E, and food rich in calcium magnesium and potassium.


Hi, I am Madhurima Sarma and write health related articles to help people be aware about the numerous roles of diet in healthy as well as in diseased individual, with an aim to prevent the development of the disease or to stop/ slow down the further development of the ongoing disease process. I spent over 10 years as a dietitian and presently work in a multi-speciality hospital.

To contact me please email me at [email protected]
My blog is http:// http://www.healthywealthyandwiseinfo4u.blogspot.com

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By Steve A Johnson


Everyone has stress in their daily life, and everyone's body responds differently to stress. When you experience stress, the brain responds by a variety of different responses, these include releasing different chemicals to our blood stream. What this does is give us a momentary boost to do whatever needs to be done to survive. However, if left unchecked, you could have a heart attack or stroke.

Stress is one of the reasons that many people turn to drinking alcohol. The cycle begins with them getting depressed, then they may find it difficult to fall asleep, soon they may even experience chest pain. In extreme cases the body loses the ability to fight diseases. So, possibly these people could die of a disease, such as cancer, pneumonia, etc. Unfortunately stress can never be identified as the cause of the death. The way it happens is that some other disease will always takes the blame for it. Our body's ability to cope with stress is called General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).

Doctors have stated that there are three stages to GAS. The First stage of GAS is called alarm reaction. During this stage the body produces and releases adrenaline and various other psychological mechanisms. These are chemicals intended to combat the stress and to keep you in control. This term is called fight or flight response. The reactions that occur are the muscles begin tensing up, the heart starts to beat faster, and breathing and perspiration increase, the eyes dilate, the stomach may clench. Believe it or not, this response is to protect you in case the event of an emergency. When the cause of the stress is removed, the body will return to normal. In the case of the cause for the stress is not removed, the GAS go proceed to a second stage which is called resistance or adaptation.

In stage two of GAS the body reacts to long term protection. It will start to secrete an increased amount of hormones that serve to increase blood sugar levels. Higher elevated blood sugar levels are used to sustain energy and raise blood pressure. The adrenal cortex produces hormones called corticosteroids for stage two of GAS. Constant overuse by the body's defense mechanism will eventually lead to disease because of this phase. In the case of phase two continuing for a prolonged period of time without frequent periods of relaxation and rest to counterbalance the stress response, sufferers can become prone to fatigue. Other effects include lapses in concentration; irritability and lethargy develop as the effort to sustain ones self slides into negative stress.

The third stage of GPS is called exhaustion, during this stage, the body runs out of its reserve of body energy and immunity becomes depleted. Resources such as mental, physical and emotional suffer heavily. The body begins to experience adrenal exhaustion. The blood sugar levels start to decrease as the adrenal glands become depleted. This leads to decreased stress tolerance, mental and physical exhaustion, or in the worst case scenario, illness and collapse.

The importance of maintaining low stress levels and keeping your mind active and healthy cannot be emphasized enough! By learning how to successfully combat stress you can lead a fuller richer life. One such product designed to help the battle against stress and promote focus and concentration is Focus Excel by Micronutra. It is specially formulated to contain the safest of ingredients that have been used by millions for thousands of years!


Steven Johnson is interested in maintaining a vital, active, and healthy lifestyle. For more information on products that are related to maintaining mental focus, as well as other life-enhancing nutrients, please visit his website http://articles.alternative-health-supplements.com/Stress-and-the-Human-Body.htm

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By Sharon Hwang


Crazy Busy Culture

America is a Nation that is crazy busy and we deal with stress on a day to day basis. We run off of soda, coffee, and fast food. We live a life that is about having more, more material things, a bigger house, nicer car, clothes, and more things. These are the biggest cause of stress in many of our lives and is causing major havoc on our adrenal systems, causing excessive fatigue and contributing to the decline of our overall health and emotional well-being.

Food, Nutrition and Stress

In 1970, Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food; in 2001, they spent more than $110 billion. Americans now spend more money on fast food than they do on higher education.

Recent scientific studies have shown that high-calorie foods rich in fats, refined sugar and salt could reconfigure the hormones in the body in such a way that they make you crave for such foods and always leave you asking for more. Fast food is addictive; you get hooked on to it and continue consuming it in an uncontrolled way in spite of knowing that it is unhealthy. It provides an escapism, so a person doesn't need to deal with stress. The more you consume, the more difficult it is for you to opt for healthy foods. If you have seen the movie Super Size Me, you can see that fast foods can be one of the biggest causes of stress and excessive fatigue.

Why do we live this way? Can we choose to live differently? There is no simple answer to this question.

History of the American Breakfast

In society today many of us are just trying to get by, survive and deal with stress as best we can. To survive in a Nation that is extremely masculine (driven by goals of productivity, output and efficiency). We have all been conditioned to to follow this model. To get a good job, work hard, buy our dream home, car, go out to eat, and consume products that will make our lives more efficient and easy. Lets face it we are creatures of habit. Many times our habits are created by what is available.

Let me give you an example. Breakfast. Lets look at the brief history of the typical American breakfast.

In the pioneer days, the 1700s breakfast was typically, thick slices of bacon, stewed antelope steak, corn meal or bread and coffee (if available).

In the 1800s as America became more wealthy, breakfast was some type of hot bread, with hearty meats that were served (bacon, sausages, ham, beef or fish depending on the region). Time moved much slower as the main role of the woman was the manage the household. Many times you would find the women baking sticky buns, breads and in the morning making hearty breakfasts like chicken, biscuits and gravy.

At the close of the 1800s, a combination of events were taking place. That have taken us away from the hearty American breakfast. The industrial revolution had many families moving to the cities and the United States Department of agriculture was promoting "scientific cooking" as the cleanest and the best. The biggest causes of the sped up American breakfast are; women were just starting to work outside the home. They didn't have time to prepare breakfast, and fast food is tasty, fast and cheap.

Hurry Up Trend

Suddenly there was a hurry-up trend in American Breakfasts, with more Americans on the move. In the 1960s, cereal, fast food, boxed pastries became the norm when it came to the American breakfast. As more women entered the workforce, the idea of convenience and speed were the top priorities when it came to breakfast. But little did we know that we were beginning to sacrifice the nutrition and good health of ourselves and our families. Which could lead to excessive fatigue.

We have now moved into the decade where to meet monthly expenses, families need to rely on 2 incomes. What that has meant for American families, is more time working, running errands, and less family and down time. Slowly over time, Americans have sacrificed their emotional, physical and health margins. A study released in 2005, by Families and Work Institute, Overwork in America: When the Way we Work Becomes Too Much, reports that one in three American employees are chronically overworked and experience excessive fatigue.

We live in a time where there is no time to stop, relax, and think. When we do have a moment of quiet time we automatically fill it with a task. This trend in the American lifestyle has created a culture of tired, frazzled, stressed out, depressed and anxious people. People don't have time to heal anymore, they barely have time to eat, let alone eat a healthy meal. Many of us don't know how to deal with stress. There is a instability in our day that prevents peace from coming into our lives. It is destroying our quality of life.

What can one do to combat this crazy busy culture that we live in and learn to deal with stress?

Committing to your Health and Well-Being

Make a commitment to put your health and life first. 
Re-evaluate what you are spending your time on, review your calendar for the last month and look at where you spend your time. 
Start looking at what you spend your time on, what is draining your energy? Ask yourself what can you either remove or delegate from your life. Start clearing space in your schedule for down time. time to think. One of the biggest causes of stress is that many Americans feel they don't have control over their lives. Planning more down time in your life and eliminating energy drains will prevent you from getting excessive fatigue.

Go ahead and take some time for that healthy breakfast and give yourself some breathing room to think!


Sharon Hwang M.A., is the owner of The Wellness Center, located inside Whole Foods in Colorado, http://www.wellnessdenver.com She is a pioneer in the health and wellness industry and has been working in the industry for over 10 years. She has a Masters in Counseling, and has a passion for helping people live better, happier lives. She is working on her newest website http://www.adrenal-failure.com a website devoted to helping people manage their stress levels. She is a professional public speaker, entrepreneur, and wellness coach. She currently lives in Denver.

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By Monique Helou


Nowadays, most of us agree that everyday stress has become part of our modern living lifestyle (job and career challenges, raising children, financial problems, physical challenges, crossing a busy intersection, death in the family, etc...). But, we have a choice on how to react to it as mentioned by Dr. Andrew Weil:"... life moves from crisis to crisis I agree, but we have a choice as to how we react to the crisis, even if we are unaware that we do. How you react to disturbing events is mostly a matter of habit and Habits can be changed."

In addition, it has been proven that prolonged stress can place a tremendous load on many organ systems in our bodies, especially the heart, blood vessels, adrenals, and immune system leading to many illnesses and chronic diseases. Therefore, teaching you how to relax your body in order to become better at handling stress when it arises is a very crucial step towards better health.

The following Techniques and Key Dietary Recommendations and Nutrients are vital components of a Stress Management Program and of a healthy lifestyle:

1. Smile and have more fun: Do things that you enjoy and help you smile since smiling makes your face muscle relax and sends immediate signals to your brain to make you happy.

2. Exercise: Exercise is a vital component of a comprehensive stress management program and of overall good health. Regular physical exercise is one of the best ways to clear your tensions and feel good, with more energy and better attitude toward life. People who exercise regularly are much less likely to suffer from fatigue and depression.

3. Meditate: When we meditate our mind becomes recharged with our own positive energy. It helps you calm down your nerves and helps you connect with your true nature. Try "Tai Chi", an ancient form of meditative exercise which is now practiced by millions of people around the world to improve and maintain good health.

4. Learn how to Breathe: One of the most powerful ways to decrease stress and increase energy in the body is by breathing with the diaphragm. This kind of breathing can activate the relaxation centers in the brain and you can feel the difference in minutes. Practice slow deep breath in a quiet place, inhale for a count of four, hold your breath for few seconds and then exhale for a count of eight. Repeat the process until you achieve a sense of deep relaxation.

5. Express your Feelings: Emotions need regular venting; unexpressed emotions are the building blocks of stress, pain and illness.

6. Practice Yoga: as mentioned by Maria Costantino: "Yoga is possibly the supreme exercise, combining and harmonizing meditation with physical fitness to ensure that the mind and body function efficiently and to their maximum potentials." Yoga enables and empowers you to control the natural and immediate reactions to a stressor.

7. Practice Progressive Relaxation: This exercise involves a deep muscle relaxation technique which helps you recognize tension and where it resides in your body. The basic procedure is to forcefully contract a muscle for one to two seconds and then give way to a feeling of relaxation. Since the procedure goes progressively through all the muscles of the body, eventually a deep state of relaxation will result.

8. Manage your Time: One of the biggest stressors for most people is time; they simply feel they do not have enough of it. Thus, set your priorities, organize your day, delegate as much authority and work as you can, handle the most important tasks first, avoid putting things off and don't be a perfectionist.

9. Key Dietary Recommendations:

- Eliminate or restrict the intake of caffeine. 
- Eliminate or restrict the intake of alcohol. 
- Eliminate refined carbohydrates from your diet (sugar and white flour) 
- Increase the potassium-to-sodium ratio in the diet in order to support your adrenal glands. This can best be done by consuming foods rich in potassium such as avocado, cooked lima beans, potato, banana, tomato and avoiding foods high in sodium such as most processed foods. 
- Eat regular planned meals in a relaxed environment. 
- Control food allergies as they can lead to chronic fatigue.

10. Key Nutrients:

- Several nutrients are very important for a healthy functioning of your adrenal glands (the control center in our body in handling stress); however, the B vitamins and vitamin C are the main constituents of many antistress formulas: 
- Vitamin C: Extra vitamin C, in the form of supplementation along with increased intake of vitamin C-rich foods, is often recommended to keep the immune system working properly during times of stress. 
- Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): this vitamin is also very important during times of stress since its deficiency in the body can cause fatigue, headache, nausea, sleep disturbance and abdominal discomfort. Vitamin B5 is found in whole grains, legumes, cauliflower, broccoli, salmon, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. 
- Vitamin B6: beside wheat germ, good protein sources of b6 include fish, poultry, egg yolk, peanuts and walnuts. Vitamin B6 is used for people with stress conditions. 
- Minerals are also important, with Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium leading the antistress list. Minerals that are helpful for their immune and enzyme support include Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium.


Monique Helou, RHN
(Registered Holistic Nutritionist)

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By Paul Cresswell


Are you always tired? Do you feel irritable, light headed when standing quickly, have a low sex drive, find it really hard to concentrate, crave salt or sugar and have problems with your digestion? Perhaps you've had more coughs and colds than normal?

If these symptoms sound familiar, apart from the fact that they are all typical signs of stress, you may be suffering from a recently recognised stress disorder called Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome. This new syndrome covers a large group of non specific symptoms and it's now become so commonplace that it's actually recognised now by the World Health Organisation.

Adrenal Fatigue Syndromes occurs - simply - because the adrenal glands, the ones that are located just above the kidneys, get overworked. The adrenal glands work in times of stress to help the body cope by pumping out high levels of the hormone cortisol during short term periods of high stress.

The problem these days however is that the adrenal glands 'burn out' as the body is almost always under stress, with the result that the glands tire, and the levels of cortisol in the body plummet, meaning that the sufferer can no longer respond effectively to high pressure situations.

Sufferers of this syndrome can show no signs of a physical illness; instead they live with a general sense of being ill, tired and generally not 'feeling right'. People suffering from this syndrome also find they have to use stimulants such as caffeine, coffee, and colas to keep themselves going through the day. Going to bed increasingly earlier and still having difficulty getting up in the mornings, waking up still feeling tired, is also a common symptom of the syndrome.

Many people with chronic or clinical stress disorders have problems sleeping - and lack of sleep is the main cause of adrenal syndrome - which further agitates the situation because adrenal syndrome sufferers need more sleep. This condition has been shown to affect more women than men.

Obviously, it goes without saying, if you suspect this syndrome for causing your feelings, you need to see your doctor or other medical practitioner. The term adrenal fatigue is now starting to be recognised by mainstream medical services worldwide. Medical treatments are basic in their own right, the treatments being based on stress disorders, but one of the main, major aspects of this illness seems to be mentally induced, although subconsciously.

If you are constantly putting yourself under pressure to achieve, constantly feel powerless or out of control, trying to be perfect, staying in a no-win situation too long, you subconsciously put your own body under pressure. This is the major symptom that should be treated first - take time out, completely switch off from your busy life. Learn to relax or destress - yoga, meditation and exercise are the best ways to beat this syndrome.

Accept yourself for who you are and what you stand for - not what other people, or society, say you should be. Stop trying to compete, to be someone you aren't.

Follow this up with a proper diet, eat a lot of whole grains, oily fish, plenty of fruit and reinforce this by taking magnesium, B5 and vitamins C and B12.

And, most of all, simply respect yourself for the person you really are. This step alone will help remove you from the stressful situations that force your body to defend itself. Just be yourself, and respect yourself enough to give yourself some decent time out from your stressful life. Your body will thank you for it. Accept and respect your body's early warning signs and take a step back for a richer, more rewarding life that will be full of energy.


If you liked this article, come and join Paul Cresswell's community based on getting debt free from running a business. There's hundreds of ideas, professional tips & secrets as well as articles, training guides and articles like this one, for both starting & marketing your business,self improvement, psychology,earning Money on line and getting debt free, and there's hundreds of business guides as well. Everything's free, there's no sign up required and I don't want your details. Paul Cresswell is married, with a large family and an even larger mortgage, and he invites you into his life to watch the struggle turn into success and prosperity. Comments, feedback are all welcome! http://www.poundslammer.com/debtfree

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By Valerie Balandra


Cortisol is a chemical substance produced by the adrenal glands. When the levels of cortisol in the blood stream become high the HPA axis feedback mechanism turns off the corticotrophin-releasing hormone. This is a signal for the brain and adrenal glands to decrease the production of cortisol. Under continuous periods of stress this feedback system becomes ineffective once it becomes stuck in the fight or flight mode.

Some amount of cortisol in the blood stream is essential for life. It is necessary for normal brain, immune, muscle, blood sugar function, and blood circulation. One initial symptom of adrenal fatigue is high levels of cortisol. If the high levels of stress continue and the adrenal glands are deteriorating, it causes a decline in cortisol production.

Cortisol deficiency can cause Addison's disease, which is a potentially fatal illness. Excessive production of cortisol is equally damaging. The Adrenal Stress Index is a saliva test that can determine if your cortisol levels are too high or too low. Too much cortisol can cause abdominal obesity, high blood sugar,muscle wasting, bone loss, immune shutdown, brain (hippocampus) atrophy, poor wound healing, thin wrinkled skin, fluid retention and hypertension.

High cortisol can cause increased fatigue/decreased energy, irritability, impaired memory, depressed mood, decreased libido, insomnia, anxiety, impaired concentration, crying, restlessness, social withdrawal, and feelings of hopelessness.

Chronically high cortisol may also lead to many diseases like cancer, ulcers, heart attacks, diabetes, infections, alcoholism, strokes, skin diseases, psychosis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and possibly Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. High Cortisol may contribute to obesity as it causes metabolic disruptions including insulin resistance. It also induces "stress overeating," especially in women.

An Adrenal Stress Index is a simple saliva test with which you can determine if your cortisol levels are too high or too low. For the test you will have to collect saliva samples four times during the day, which determines a diurnal cortisol rhythm. If high cortisol levels or adrenal fatigue is discovered quickly it enhances your chances for recovery from more serious health problems.

Here are a few ways to reduce high cortisol: 
1. Use cortisol-reducing supplement 
2. Eat at regular intervals throughout the day: Avoid skipping meals, as it will create a cortisol release. 3. Excessive carbohydrate intake creates cortisol release in response to constantly elevated insulin levels. Have complex carbohydrates instead. 
4. Utilize stress reduction techniques at peak cortisol times: meditation, self-hypnosis, or simply lying on the floor doing belly breathing for 10-15 minutes can help to reduce stress and thus cortisol levels.
5. Get to bed on time. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. 
6. Avoid stimulants: Stay away from energy drinks that contain ephedra-like compounds and caffeine. Stimulants shift the body into sympathetic dominance, or the "fight or flight" mode. Stimulants can also disrupt your sleeping patterns.


minute workouts are even better. Valerie Balandra NP is the owner of Integrative Psychiatry a holistic mental health practice that offers adrenal stress testing, supplements, and natural treatment for adrenal fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks, and other stress related problems. For more information on adrenal fatigue and high cortisol visit http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/adrenal_fatigue.html

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By Mark A Cunningham


A stressful lifestyle can cause a variety of debilitating disorders one of which is CFS chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME or persistent fatigue. However there are studies that show working from home may help reduce your symptoms dramatically.

Up to date studies have revealed this neurological illnesses severity.

Due to sufferers keeping a diary of their illness patterns and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) on the increase the illness is becoming much more accepted in GP circles. So sufferers are finding that there is much more help out there, helping towards a positive outlook with this illness, as a factor of CFS the problem being there is no diagnostic laboratory test or cure. With the help from better understanding and a more determined resilience from the sufferer they are finding new ways to cope with CFS/ME related symptoms.

Professional people who have unfortunately had to give up long term carers because of ill health symptoms related to CFS have become more common, probably due to a better understanding of the illness. This has led to an outcry for new ways to help with the symptoms one of which is, sufferers may find that working from home in a relatively stress free environment will reduce their symptoms dramatically. Inevitably this has led to some sufferers who would like to continue working finding that working from home is there only option.

Interestingly studies have shown this may help with the symptoms of CFS more than was expected



  • Self-esteem: improves, the sufferer finds a way to continue with his/her career.
  • Sleep patterns: are effected as most sufferers know that they have a random sleep pattern, any improvement in this area is a positive thing.
  • Recovery: sufferers find they have more control over there working hours so can listen to their body more intuitively therefore pacing themselves by choosing their own working hours


One such sufferer of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome reported working as a freelance teacher at home has increased energy levels, improved confidence, sleep patterns, and an increased income... all after just one year of working at home


With the increased strain on the government to support people on sickness related benefits to lead a normal life, we cannot ignore self help strategies like this, that make an impact on CFS treatment. They must support people in finding a way back into work as an estimated 250,000 people suffer from CFS in the UK alone. The example of the sufferer who continued working from home has now reportedly gone back to a working environment because of her understanding of her own pain levels and limits.

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By R Fredriksen


Are the following symptoms familiar to you?

• Tendency to gain weight and unable to loose it, especially around the waist.

• High frequency of getting the flu and other respiratory disease.

• Tendency to tremble when under pressure.

• Reduced sex drive.

• Lightheaded when rising from a laying down position.

• Unable to remember things.

• Lack of energy in the mornings and also in the afternoon between 3 to 5 pm.

• Often feel tired between 9 - 10 pm, but resist going to bed.

• Need coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning.

• Crave for salty, fatty, and high protein food such as meat and cheese.

• Increase symptoms of PMS for women; period are heavy and then stop, or almost stopped on the 4th day, only to start flow again on the 5th or 6th day.

• Pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reason.


If many of these symptoms are familiar to you, you may be experiencing adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue has a broad spectrum yet somewhat non-specific set of symptoms, which makes it easy for doctors to miss.

The adrenal glands are two small glands, located at the top of the kidneys. Their main function is to help the body cope with stress and help it survive.

Each adrenal gland has two compartments. The inner or medulla, modulate the sympathetic nervous system through secretion and regulation of two hormones called epinephrine and nor epinephrine that are responsible for the fight or flight response. The outer adrenal cortex comprises 80 percent of the adrenal gland and is responsible for producing over 50 different types of hormones. One of which is called cortisol. When our cortisol is lowered, our body is unable to deal with stress.

When a person experiences chronic stress, the cortisol level may rise to such a high level that its production reduces as the adrenal becomes exhausted. When this happens, DHEA, a hormone normally produced in the adrenal glands, starts to decrease.

Our adrenals after time cannot keep up with the increased demand for cortisol production. In response, cortisol output is therefore reduced.

Eventually our adrenals become totally exhausted.

But don’t despair. The good news is that adrenal fatigue can be reversed. It takes between six months to two years for the recover process to take place. To start, try these steps:

1. Remove life stressors. Look at what is causing stress in your life and find ways to work with them if not remove them.

2. Sleep. Get plenty of sleep. Try going to bed by at least 10 p.m. before the adrenal glands kick in its ‘second wind’ keeping us up between 11 p.m. and 1 p.m. This is also the time our adrenals work the hardest.

3. Avoid caffeine if possible. Try herbal teas or decaf coffee. Caffeine can interrupt your sleep patterns.

4. Exercise. Exercise reduces depression, increases blood flow and normalizes levels of cortisol, insulin, blood glucose, and helps with your thyroid

5. Nutritional Supplements. Supplements such as DHEA at 15 to 30 mg helps. Vitamin C, 500 mg to 3,000 mg; Vitamin B5, 900 to 1,500 mg; Vitamin E, 400 to 800 I.U; Beta-Carotene, 10,000 to 25,000 I.U.

6. Diet. Combine unrefined carbohydrates (whole grains) with protein and oils (nuts and seeds) at most meals—olive, walnut, fiber, flax and high-quality fish oil. Eat regular meals, chew food well, and eat by 10 AM and again for lunch. Avoid any hydrogenated fats, caffeine, chocolate, white carbohydrates, and junk foods. Diets should have a heavy emphasis on vegetables. 



R. Fredriksen is the Vice President of Nutrition Dome, a leading provider of pioneer nutritional formulas. For more information, please visitwww.nutritiondome.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R_Fredriksen


How to Treat Adrenal Fatigue.