When you’re under stress, healthy adrenal glands increase their production of cortisol and DHEA to allow you to maintain health and respond to increased demands. They also secrete adrenaline, to give you a boost of energy when you need it. If stress becomes chronic, your adrenal glands can no longer keep up with the demand and DHEA and eventually cortisol levels begin to drop, which means adrenal exhaustion. Also, an excessive secretion of adrenaline can make anyone feel anxious and nervous. Complaints of insomnia, fatigue, depression, irritability, and digestive difficulties are common. As adrenaline increases during stress, digestive enzyme levels drop at the same time, and blood sugar levels initially rise. As this becomes more chronic, the consequences of prolonged stress include:

• Tired

• Decreased immune function

• Humor changes

• Cortisol depletion, resulting in low blood sugar

• Less restful sleep

• Increased lipid levels of fats in the blood

• Lower insulin sensitivity, with increased susceptibility to diabetes

Restoration

A main theme is how to reduce and respond to stress in your life. Your adrenal glands won’t heal until you change the way you live. This can include learning a relaxation practice like meditation or yoga, talking to a therapist or learning some cognitive behavioral therapy techniques from a book (Feeling Good by David Burns) or website (moodgym.org), cultivating positive relationships, or even just laughing on a regular basis.

I strongly recommend that you get enough sleep and go to bed by 10 pm

Your diet should avoid refined sugars, caffeine, and alcohol, and should include several small protein-containing meals. It is also important to determine allergic foods and avoid them.

Get daily outdoor light. Mild exercise is recommended every day.

Nutritional supplements and herbs are also believed to help the adrenal glands heal. The vitamins used include vitamin C, magnesium, B complex, and pantothenic acid, but there is little research to know whether or not this is effective. Similarly, adrenal glands (extracts of adrenal glands from terrestrial animals) have been used with reported success but little formal research.

There is more research on “adaptogenic” herbs, which help people cope with stress and also reduce the risk of various diseases and infections. These include Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), Withania somnifera (Ashwaganda), Panax ginseng (Ginseng), and others. Licorice can also be used for adrenal support, but if used in large amounts, blood pressure and potassium should be monitored.

All of these supplements should always be used in consultation with a healthcare professional familiar with adrenal stress disorders.