Adrenal Fatigue Doesn’t Exist …. does it?
The term adrenal fatigue has been used by doctors and naturopaths for over 20 years now, but it has never been accepted as a real condition, why?
What is Adrenal Fatigue (AF)?
It is a term used to describe symptoms associated with chronic stress. The adrenal glands are responsible for making our stress hormone, cortisol. This hormone is also incredibly important for regulating the immune system and energy production.
While chronic stress can cause health problems, we can’t label all stress as harmful. Stress is a driver that keeps us moving forward, it helps us to take action, to get out of bed every morning and face the day. But as a society we have fallen into unhealthy patterns of chronic stress without the skills to regulate our emotions.
Symptoms associated with Adrenal Fatigue Include:
Fatigue (unrelenting)
Depression
Sleep disturbances
Taking longer to recover from illness
IBS (diarrhoea or constipation)
Craving salty or sweet foods
Low motivation
The Case for Adrenal Fatigue
Doctors and Naturopaths who have been diagnosing patients with adrenal fatigue describe it as a milder form of adrenal insufficiency, a well known condition often associated with cancer, overuse of steroid medication or is inherited.
Adrenal fatigue on the other hand is brought on by long term (unmanaged) stress. Prolonged output by the adrenal glands of cortisol, causes them to start to fatigue and eventually they can’t keep up with cortisol production. This picture describes someone who no longer has enough cortisol throughout the day and they end up with the symptoms listed above.
Dr James Wilson (a huge proponent of AF) believes it is an under-diagnosed condition that needs addressing. He describes the resounding character trait of someone with AF as someone who wakes unrefreshed even with sufficient sleep. He has also observed a correlation between reduced cortisol output by the adrenals and chronic fatigue.
Why is Adrenal Fatigue not Recognised?
Two main arguments against adrenal fatigue being a real condition are:
The tests we have for adrenal fatigue give inconsistent results.
Adrenal fatigue implies reduced adrenal function, but more often that not, in patients “diagnosed” with adrenal fatigue they don’t necessarily have reduced adrenal function, instead cortisol is being released at the wrong time in the wrong amounts.
Testing for adrenal fatigue includes testing cortisol via urine, blood or saliva, some of which are more sensitive and more accurate than the next.
In a healthy person, cortisol is highest about 30 mins after waking, from then it gradually drops. At night cortisol bottoms out and melatonin (our sleep hormone) takes over.
In someone who is chronically stressed, there may be evidence of cortisol not following this diurnal rhythm but instead it can flat line. Flat lining cortisol means it will stay relatively the same around the clock (24 hour cycle). Another cortisol imbalance seen in people with chronic stress is higher cortisol overnight and lower cortisol during the day. Over 24 hours this person may be releasing the same amount or even more cortisol than the average healthy person, but the timing of the cortisol release can cause sleep disturbances and daytime fatigue.
The reality is, the literature doesn’t support the term adrenal fatigue as we currently know it. BUT, what we do know is that chronic stress and imbalances in cortisol can have significant health implications. Your symptoms and experience can be very real even if the diagnosis isn’t accepted. And learning how to managing stress should always be a priority in your life.
Tips for Improving Cortisol Balance
Lifestyle
Get direct sunlight within 30 mins of waking (direct, no windows)
Turn off blue lights (phone, tv, computer 1-2 hrs before bed
Use an app like flux to reduce blue light gradually over the day
Meditation
Diet
Prioritise home cooked meals with a balance of protein & veggies
Eating intuitively, resisting the urge to binge or skip meals when you’re stressed
If you’re craving sugar, accompany it with proteins, fats & fibre
If you’re craving salt, have some salted nuts which are high in magnesium too
Nutritional Supplements (always check with your healthcare expert first)
Magnesium
B vitamins
Zinc
Vitamin C
Herbal Medicine (always check with your naturopath / herbalist first)
Ginseng
Withania (ashwaganda)
Rhodiola
Mushrooms (lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi)
If Any Of These Symptoms Resonate With You, If You Are Struggling To Manage Stress, If You Are Wanting To Make A Change, Reach Out For Support!