Are you tired all the time? Experience brain fog frequently? Body aches especially in the upper back?
Those are some of the symptoms stress can cause in addition to numerous others such as multiple allergies, unexplained headaches, shakiness under pressure, and muscle weakness.
With essential vitamins and minerals I was able to improve my adrenal health and have more energy again.
Note 2021: I wrote this post a long time ago.
If you want to learn more about fatigue and how to support your health and create a recovery plan, check out Jess at Study In Fitness. She has lots of current info and an amazing recovery story.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I’M NOT A DOCTOR. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any treatments.
Effects of Stress
- Chronic stress depletes your body from nutrients
- It lowers your immune system so you are more likely to experience colds and infections
- Stress can also cause hair loss and skin problems
- It can make you moody
- and it can cause panic attacks and anxiety
- It disrupts sleep
- and affects memory and ability to concentrate
- chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue
Adrenal Fatigue Treatment
I suffered from a severe fatigue with dozens of symptoms and was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue. Through some very effective treatments I recovered and am able to enjoy my life once again. Check out the plan that helped me to recover.
[I was in stage 3 c/d (Dr. Lam) at my worst. You can read my adrenal fatigue success story here.]
The supplements mentioned in this post were an essential part of my treatments. These are for your info only, consult your doctor before beginning any treatment.
Adrenal Fatigue Supplements
Why supplements? Isn’t eating healthy enough? Not always. Our bodies need extra nutrients when recovering from adrenal fatigue.
We all should eat healthy, nourishing meals. But supplementing with vitamins and minerals was a vital part of regaining my energy.
I have taken all of the supplements mentioned in this post, except one, in various amounts at different stages of adrenal fatigue.
Most Important Vitamin of All for Adrenal Health
According to Dr. Wilson “vitamin C is probably the most important of all the vitamins and minerals involved in adrenal metabolism”. The production of cortisol and other adrenal hormones depends on vitamin C supply.
The higher the stress level the more vitamin C I needed. I increased my vitamin C intake when I knew I was going to have a physically, mentally or emotionally exhausting event or situation coming.
The body adapts to the level of vitamin C you take. So, after the stressful event was over I did not abruptly quit taking vitamin C but gradually lowered the amount.
Since vitamin C is water-soluble, I took it throughout the day.
I started by taking Vitamin C 1000mg three times a day. I also used Premier Vitamin C from plant source which was really gentle on stomach.
Two Calming and Energy Boosting Minerals
Adrenal fatigue sufferers desperately want and need to calm down but sometimes it just seems impossible. Which makes it so frustrating. The anxiety and moodiness can be a result of calcium deficiency.
Poor eating habits, pregnancy, heavy metal toxicity, and low stomach acid are some of the reasons behind calcium deficiency.
Calcium is the one supplement I don’t take. But I drink plenty of raw milk and homemade kefir.
In addition to getting enough calcium, I needed magnesium. Magnesium is an important mineral for energy production so no wonder it was essential for my adrenal fatigue recovery.
Magnesium deficiency can cause many symptoms including insomnia, anxiety, abnormal heart rhythms and muscle spasms.
I have noticed that when I don’t take magnesium, I get a twitching eye lid. It goes away when I get back on the magnesium. I take magnesium supplement once or twice a day.
Vitamin B Complex for Adrenal Fatigue
Vitamin B complex has many functions: it protects the heart, supports nervous and digestive system, it also improves mood and is essential for energy production. Adrenal fatigue patients struggle in those areas.
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency causes fatigue, headaches and moodiness. This powerful vitamin aids the adrenal glands in producing stress-reducing hormones.
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is critical to the conversion of glucose into energy. It also can prevent upper respiratory infections and insomnia.
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is needed in converting molecules into more readily usable material. It also might help to calm and maintain a healthy nervous system.
The entire B complex is needed for optimal health. They commonly coexist in food and work together to help each individual B vitamin to perform best. In general, the more stressed I was the more B vitamins I needed.
I get B vitamins from a supplement formulated specifically to treat adrenal fatigue. I’ll talk about it in a moment.
Vitamin E for Adrenal Fatigue: A Powerful Protecting Antioxidant
Vitamin E is another important vitamin in healing adrenals. Vitamin E neutralizes damaging free radical molecules inside the adrenal glands and elsewhere in the body. Free radicals can do physical damage to the adrenals.
Vitamin E can also help to fight inflammation. And it plays a role in endocrine hormone production. “…high amounts of vitamin E are necessary in order for the adrenals to maintain high levels of steroid production and recover adequately.”
I found a vitamin E supplement that has d-alpha tocopherols with mixed tocopherols. D-alpha is a natural form of vitamin E while dl-alpha is synthetic.
I started by taking vitamin E supplement by Deva twice a day. As my health improved, I lowered the dose to one a day.
Adrenal Fatigue Supplement: Opti-Adrenal
Specifically formulated adrenal healing supplements exist. My doctor recommended me Opti-Adrenal.
According to the Dr. Brimhall site:“[It] contains synergistic blend of whole food nutrients and pre-digested glandulars to support the body’s endocrine system, immune function, and its healthy response to stress.”
In addition to the important pre-digested glandulars, it has many of the essential vitamins and minerals needed for adrenal healing like vitamin C, Vitamin B2, B3, B5, B6, magnesium.
Opti-Adrenal has lower vitamin amounts because they are from natural sources and are more easily absorbed by your body.
I have taken varied amounts of Opti-Adrenal and it does not bother my stomach. I have taken two at breakfast, two at lunch. Two at breakfast, one at lunch. One at breakfast and lunch.
Healing Adrenal Fatigue Takes Time
The longer you have been ill, the more damaged your adrenals are, and the longer it will take to heal.
Don’t give up if you don’t see immediate results from your doctor prescribed treatments.
My fatigue was so severe that it took me a few months to see noticeable improvements. Healing takes time and work but it is worth it.
References:
Wilson, James L. N.D., D.C., Ph.D. Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome
University of Maryland Medical Center. Magnesium.
globalhealingcenter.com: 7 functions of vitamin b12
adrenalfatiguefocus.org: adrenal fatigue and vitamin c
divinehealthfromtheinsideout.com: factors that deplete minerals from the body