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Any ideas or tips on weight loss while 'healing' my adrenals?

By Anonymous March 3, 2009 - 3:51pm
 
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I've been diagnosed with adrenal fatigue. My Dr. says that when your adrenals are stressed/fatigued, your metabolism also shuts down. I'm gaining weight like crazy, especially around the middle. I used to run marathons ... but she says no aerobic exercise until I heal. I'm taking supplements & vitamins, plus medication for my thyroid (which was ablated about two years ago). Help!

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Anonymous

March 13, 2009
I was so happy to see this posting. I am a 27 year old female who has been suffering with what seems like adrenal fatigue for months now. I have seen quite a few doctors and only one has mentioned that this is likely the cause. I have gained quite a bit of weight, also especially around the middle. I, too, am a runner and love running and exercising. However, I have noticed that recently, running seems to be counter productive and actually seems to make my symptoms worse sometimes. That is why I am also trying to avoid exercise until I "heal". I am taking an adrenal supplement, a thyroid supplement and have just started taking licorice root (1/4 tsp in am). I was also told by one practitioner that PCOS is likely because my hormone levels are imbalanced; however, that would be the case if my adrenals are not functioning, correct? I have a hard believing that it is just PCOS because I am not the classic patient-I am not overweight, birth control only makes it worse and exercise does not help. I am hoping that I am able to repair my adrenals and my hormones will adjust accordingly. I was wondering if you are having irregular periods as well?? I am having 2 cycles per month, which is awful, to say the least...
Any advice...
Help!!

March 13, 2009 - 7:01pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Hi, Anon:

We've had a couple of discussions on just this topic. I'm also a runner (marathoner and coach), but have been battling my weight that never really seems to drop. My doctor has yet to figure out whether it's adrenal fatigue, age (I'm almost 60) or being post-menopausal. Who knows!

You might be interested in what others had to say in answer to Have you gained weight as a result of adrenal fatigue?

Dr. Christensen on Adrenal Fatigue (video)

Dr. Hudson: What is adrenal fatigue and how is it treated naturally (video)

Other conversations on EmpowHer re: Adrenal Conditions

Have you also consulted your doctor?

March 13, 2009 - 8:23pm

Dear Anon, this is such a common condition among women nowadays. I am so glad you asked about it. As you know the adrenal glands sit over the kidneys, where they play a significant role in the body, secreting more than 50 hormones necessary for life, including epinephrine (adrenaline), cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone and testosterone. Since they produce so many essential hormones, the adrenal glands are responsible for many of the functions we need to stay alive and healthy, including:

Energy production -- carbohydrate, protein and fat conversion to blood glucose for energy
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Fat storage

If we are under continuous (accumulative) stress ("fight or fly" state)the high production of cortisol will create a chain reaction and result in adrenal fatigue symptoms and weight gain around the waist area (high cortisol sign). Hormonal changes during perimenopause, menopause and andropause (in males) can also create an adrenal unbalance but stress and poor lifestyle habits are the big culprit in today's adrenal fatigue cases.

"Optimal adrenal health is one of the major keys to the enjoyment of life," according to Dr. Wilson. If you have adrenal fatigue, you can fully live life again by making the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes to treat your disorder.

Treating adrenal fatigue is as easy according to Dr Wilson who suggests the following:

Lying down during your work breaks (preferably at 10 a.m. and again anytime from 3 to 5 p.m.)
Sleeping until 9 a.m. as often as possible
Laughing
Exercising
Minimizing stress by meditating, praying, contemplating, deep breathing
Taking negative people out of your life
Eating regular healhty meals
Chewing well
Doing something fun each day
Combining unrefined carbohydrates with protein and oils
Avoiding junk food (sugars, refined flours)
Eating five to six servings of vegetables each day
Taking calcium and magnesium supplements
Replacement sea salt to your diet
Taking 2,000 to 5,000 milligrams of vitamin C each day
Supplementing vitamin E with mixed tocopherols
Taking B-complex supplements that are high in B6 and pantothenic acid
Adding licorice root extract to your dietary supplement regimen

While you heal from adrenal fatigue, by practicing healthy eating habits as listed above, you should begin to lose weight. Do not attempt any crazy dieting during this time when your body is repairing. We are what we eat so focus on healthy, natural choices and stay away from gluten containing products if you can.

Here is Dr Wilson's website http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/ to learn more about Adrenal Fatigue, I also recommend his book "Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome"

March 5, 2009 - 12:06am
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