Healing adrenal fatigue can be a long process. I was in really bad shape but taking supplements and doing other treatments helped me to heal my adrenals.
I took these Essential Vitamins and Minerals for adrenal fatigue. I also found the supplements in this post helpful. They gave a boost to my immune system and were good for my overall wellbeing.
Check out also my Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Plan for other things I did to recover from adrenal fatigue.
Note 2021: I wrote this post a long time ago.
*This post contains affiliate links.*
I’m not a doctor.
Consult your healthcare provider before starting any treatments.
Vitamin D Deficiency Is Common
Many adrenal fatigue sufferers have vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is needed for strong immune system.
I had recurring colds, infections, or allergies, which indicated I had vitamin D deficiency. Other symptoms included fatigue, poor mineral absorption, and anemia.
My doctor said the optimal vitamin d level for me is to 50 -70 ng/ml.
When I started treating my multiple health problems, I began taking vitamin D3 supplement. My initial dose was 25 drops for five days. That was 50,000 IU per day. Then I went down to 5 drops per day and later on to 3 or 4 drops a day.
With that initial high intake, my vitamin D level went to 62.9 ng/ml. (I don’t know what it was before I started taking it since I didn’t have it measured.)
Currently I take a vitamin D capsule once a week. It is 50,000 IU per week, little over 7,000 per day.
I always assumed I could get enough vitamin D from the sun? And I still think that would be the best way for me. But some of us just don’t get enough with that method even though we spend a lot of time outdoors.
Probiotics Help Your Second Brain
I’m sure you’ve heard about gut health and its importance to your overall health.
“The first and most overlooked reason that our digestive tracts are critical to our health is because 80 percent of your entire immune system is located in your digestive tract!
That is an astounding percentage. In addition to the impact on our immune systems, our digestive systems are the second largest part of our neurological system.
It’s called the enteric nervous system and is located in the gut. This is why it’s called our second brain!” (Dr. Axe. Probiotics Benefits, Foods and Supplements. www.draxe.com)
Probiotics can help fix the damage caused by our lifestyles. Antibiotics, harsh cleaners, chlorinated water, sugar consumption, and pesticides are among those things that destroy good bacteria or feed the bad bacteria.
I had food allergies, bloating, yeast overgrowth, and weak immune system, and I benefitted from taking probiotics. Probiotics can help balance the bacteria in the digestive system, boost immune system, improve digestion and heal an inflamed gut.
There is a connection with a poor gut health and adrenal fatigue. Stress affects the gut health. (When your body reacts to stress the oxygen and blood flow to the gut is decreased. So is the enzyme production.)
An inflamed gut is a stressor requiring the adrenals to work overtime eventually wearing them out which causes a variety of symptoms.
I take a probiotic supplement called Complete by Klaire Labs. I also drink 1 ½ – 2 cups of homemade kefir every day. And I tried making and enjoying sauerkraut but that didn’t go too well.
Enzymes Are Vital for Life
I had trouble digesting certain foods. Was bloated? Had heartburn? Digestive enzymes helped.
“Enzymes are biological molecules (typically proteins) that significantly speed up the rate of virtually all of the chemical reactions that take place within cells.
They are vital for life and serve a wide range of important functions in the body, such as aiding in digestion and metabolism.” (Joseph Castro. How Do Enzymes Work? www.livescience.com)
Digestive enzymes help (surprise, surprise) with digestion. They help your body to absorb more nutrients. And they also improve the gut health. Digestive enzymes break down proteins, starches, and fats.
Enzymes didn’t only help me to get more nutrients from the food, but they also help me to digest the big piece of chocolate cake I wanted to indulge every now and then.
I take Now brand digestive enzymes at every meal, and noticed an improvement. I don’t take them with snacks, but maybe I should.
Some foods are great sources for enzymes.
- Pineapple has bromelain which can help with digesting protein, it is may also be good for inflammation, and hay fever.
- Raw honey contains enzymes that might help break down protein and carbohydrates.
- Papain in papaya can help in protein digestion.
- Mangoes might aid in digesting starches.