Posted by Jeanne M. Schmit, Pharm. D. on Fri, Apr 16, 2010 @ 07:46
If you're having trouble with adrenal fatigue or burnout, it's critical you:
- Adjust your life to decrease stress, including improving your sleep
- Improve your diet (including removing adrenal draining foods such as caffeine, sugar, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and damaged fats). If you're having trouble removing certain things from your diet, you may need amino acid support to address your cravings.
- Caffeine, stimulant drugs: L-tyrosine
- Sugar and carbs: L-glutamine if due to low blood sugar, L-tyrosine if due to low energy, or 5-HTP.
- Alcohol, smoking, tranquilizers, anxiolytics: GABA if due to anxiety/nervousness
- Comfort foods, pain killers (incl ibuprofen): DL-phenylalanine or D-phenylalanine to increase "feel good" endorphins
- Fried/fatty foods: EPA/DHA essential fatty acids
Before using any aminos, be sure you have no contraindications. Check past blogs on amino acids or use the contraindication sheet in the studio.
Adrenal recovery can take between 6 months to 2 or more years. Supplements support this process by helping your adrenals return to normal function.
Helpful adrenal supplements:
- Vitamin C, magnesium, panothenic acid, B vitamins: work in concert to potentiate the action of adrenals; essential for the production of enzymes and energy needed for the adrenal hormone cascade.
- Adrenal glandulars; supports and rejuvinates adrenals
- DHEA (do not take this without knowing your levels. Work with a health practitioner if you take DHEA)
- targeted amino acids; see below
- Licorice extract: supports adrenal function
- Ashwaganda root: normalizes cortisol levels
Before taking any of these supplements, read up and understand what you are taking and why. A good explanation of most of these can be found on the James Wilson Adrenal fatigue website listing product faqs.
Aminos important in adrenal healing depend on the state of adrenal fatique you are in. If your brain chemistry is not ideal for daily (and nightly) functioning, your adrenals continue to be stressed.
- If you feel very stressed and have a difficult time relaxing or you find yourself snapping at people, GABA is helpful.
- If you are dull, feeling flat, with low energy, focus and concentration, tyrosine/phenylalanine is helpful.
- If you feel depressed, low self esteem, withdrawn, 5-HTP/L-tryptophan is helpful.
Many people need a combination of aminos. If you take aminos, take them on an empty stomach (without other proteins in your stomach) and be sure you have B vitamins (especially B6) available. Bs are necessary to convert the amino to the neurotransmitter.