In Dead Tired – Burnt Out – Falling Asleep? Why? I covered some symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Listening to your body and noticing these symptoms are great, but you may also want to "check for adrenal fatigue by using the following three tests:
Ragland's sign (blood pressure test; Pupil dilation exam and pain when pressing on adrenal glands (over the kidneys).
There are a few things that you can do to improve and/or promote good adrenal function. I mentioned earlier that poor nutrition could be a factor in adrenal fatigue. Watching your diet could assist you and is important. Suggestions are that you “eat protein with every meal. Eggs, natural meats and poultry are the best sources of protein. Toasted almond butter and nuts are other good sources. Avoid vegetarian diets. At lunch and supper, have three cooked vegetables. Rotate your proteins and your vegetables so you don't eat the same thing every day.” For those that are battling Lyme Disease this may be difficult.
Other suggestions include that you avoid wheat, spelt and gluten (*avoid if you’re already sensitive to it and a GF free diet is suggested for many Lyme patients). Starches such as carrots, onions, turnips, rutabagas, parsnips are recommended along with quinoa, and brown rice. Avoiding dairy products (cow), sweets, junk food, juices and vegetable oils (olive oil is alright but recommend coconut oil which helps with candida and energy). If eating fruit, keep it to a minimum and use sea salt instead of regular table salt and go organic if possible. *Many battling Lyme Disease also have to avoid many of the things.
Nutrients needed consist of “vitamins A, B, C, E, pantothenic acid (B5) and adrenal glandular substance. Calcium and magnesium, [and zinc] are often needed.” Kelp, pancreatin and ox bile will assist in detoxification and digestion. And, depending on your metal toxicity level, which testing is recommended for Lyme patients as well as others, it will determine if you need to add certain minerals.
Vitamin B100 Complex; Vitamin C; Vitamin E; Calcium; Free-Form Amino Acids; Liquid Trace Minerals; Magnesium Citrate; Niacin; Pantothenic Acid B5; Proline; Pyridoxine B6; Zinc. Above all, make certain that you drink high quality water and keep yourself hydrated well.
What are some other recommendations to support or improve adrenal fatigue?
ADR Formula; Adrenal glandulars; Borage; Black Cohosh; Vitamin C; Chromium; Cordyceps; Dandelion Root; Eleuthero Root or Siberian Ginseng; Huang Qi; IMM Formula; Licorice; Milk Thistle; Pantothenic acid; Rhodiola Rosea; and Slippery Elm.
Remember when it comes to your health, you should always work with a physician, whether a conventional medical physician, alternative health physician or naturopath, to see what is best for you in your journey to good health.
Listen to your body, work with your doctor, and be proactive. (Read the full blog at www.lyme-aware.org)