Do you know that your nutrition have a tremendous impact on this condition?
A poor nutrition can indeed be the cause of adrenal fatigue. A diet:
- poor in nutrients
- high in processed sugars (think pastries, baked goods)
- high in toxic fats (think hydrogenated oils like margarine and trans fats)
- high in chemicals (added sweeteners like aspartame or dyes for colouring)
- that is chronically low in calories
- that is chronically low in carbohydrates (typically for athletes)
- lack adequate amount of complete protein
- lack adequate amount of healthy fats
can be the cause of adrenal fatigue, or exacerbates the condition if other stressors are present.
At the same time, a good nutrition can help with the relief of adrenal fatigue. A diet that is:
- balanced with complete protein, healthy fats, and high quality carbohydrates
- sufficient in calories for the energy demand
- sufficient in protein to allow for repair and healing
- sufficient in healthy fats to allow for proper hormonal balance
- sufficient in carbohydrates to compensate for the activity level
- leveling blood sugar throughout the day to avoid extreme fluctuations
can provide the nutrients necessary for recovery and proper physiological functioning of the adrenal glands.
Each of your meal should be comprised of a source of complete protein (ex. meat, fish, dairy, eggs) or complementary proteins (ex. beans and rice together), healthy fats (ex. olive oil, avocado, nuts and nut butters), high quality carbohydrates (ex. vegetables and fruits, starchy vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes), minimally processed, and of the highest quality possible. Food is healing!
The adrenal glands are not only responsible for producing cortisol (the "stress" hormone), they also produce aldosterone, a hormone that controls sodium levels in your body. Where sodium goes, water follows. Under adrenal fatigue, aldosterone levels drop, and hence water is not retained in the water, which leads to dehydration that is felt as lethargy and cravings for salty foods.
When it comes to adrenal glands health, it is beneficial to start your day with a glass of lukewarm water with the juice of 1/2 lemon and a pinch of coloured sea salt that will act as a great tonic. Coloured (Himalayan, Celtic, "fleur de sel") sea salt are rich in mineral content, including sodium. Lemon is known to help with liver detoxification and kidneys cleansing. It also has a high vitamin C content. Vitamin C is the most important nutrient to adrenal metabolism: when more cortisol is produced, more vitamin C is required.
Start your day with this cleansing and rejuvenating drink and feed your adrenal glands at the same time! Then follow up with a complete breakfast comprised of proteins, fats, and carbs within one hour of waking up as explained in a previous email titled Losing weight starts with a healthy breakfast! Don't put extra stress on your system by skipping breakfast or eating processed carbs (for example boxed cereals or instant oatmeal) that will drive your insulin to the roof!?