How to Maintain Adrenal Health

Feeling tired and fatigued? Have no energy for the things you love? Gaining weight from one week to the next? These signs may indicate that your endocrine system is out of balance. The adrenal glands are particularly vulnerable to stress and lifestyle changes. When they fail to function properly, your entire body suffers.

The Role of Your Adrenal Glands

Adrenal health plays a key role in your well-being, metabolism, mood, and immune function. Even the slightest imbalance can wreak havoc on your mind and body. Chronic fatigue, insomnia, hair loss, and weight gain are common side effects of adrenal disorders.

The adrenal glands are an integral part of your endocrine system. Their role is to produce hormones that regulate metabolism, carb breakdown, blood pressure, and energy levels. Actually, they release over 150 different hormones, including DHA, cortisol, and adrenaline.

These tiny glands are your body’s first line of defense. They help your internal organs function optimally and handle daily stress. Certain factors, such as sleep deprivation, bad eating, and hormonal fluctuations, can affect the adrenal glands and keep them from working at their peak.

Simple Ways to Restore Adrenal Health

The best way to restore adrenal health is to identify and eliminate the factors that caused your problem in the first place. Common causes of adrenal disorders include:

• Lack of sleep
• Prolonged or chronic stress
• Emotional trauma
• High caffeine intake
• Surgery
• Food sensitivities and allergies
• Poor nutrition
• Exposure to environmental pollutants
• Chronic pain
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Any of these factors can interfere with adrenal function. Stress, for instance, raises cortisol levels in the body, affecting your mood, energy levels, and hormonal balance. In this case, meditation can help. You can also try yoga, deep breathing, and mindfulness to calm your nervous system and offset the harmful effects of stress.

Consider changing your diet. Certain foods and beverages trigger inflammation or mess up your hormones, leading to adrenal disorders. Caffeine, sugar, simple carbs, processed meats, and hydrogenated fats are the worst offenders. Embrace a diet rich in fresh produce, omega-3s, fermented foods, and metabolism-boosting spices.

Make sure you get plenty of sleep, especially if you’re stressed. Your adrenal glands need rest to recover and function optimally. Create a bedtime routine and stick to it. Get at least seven hours of sleep per night and take naps throughout the day if necessary.