If ever there was a controversial topic amongst medical professionals, adrenal fatigue would be it. Depending on what physician you speak to will determine their belief in the adrenal glands’ negative effect on the human body that has been living with chronic stress. Until then, many people will be left wondering why they feel the way they do.
What is adrenal fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue (or rather the symptoms of adrenal fatigue) are real, and perhaps if we remove the name and deal with the symptoms, it can be better defined and labelled as “Extreme Relenting Stress,” “Burnout Syndrome,” or “Exhaustion Syndrome.
Whatever the name, the symptoms cause adverse reactions in the body. When the body undergoes unrelenting stress, its stress response always stays active. The long-term activation of the stress response and the overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones produced by the adrenal glands can disrupt the body’s systems.
In isolation, each one of the symptoms relating to adrenal fatigue can mean different things (including stress), but if you can check off most of the boxes, you most likely have “Adrenal Fatigue.” Adrenal fatigue is when the adrenal glands are overworked and unable to perform their functions effectively. Symptoms include:
- Difficulty getting up in the morning,
- Not feeling rested after sleeping
- Often waking throughout the night, or
- Daytime fatigue even after a good night’s sleep.
- You may have increased energy as the evening progresses, leaving you unable to relax fully.
- You may be quick-tempered or impatient.
- You may have a poor stress response and find it challenging to regulate your mood
- You may get sick often or have illnesses that last longer.
- You may feel foggy and forgetful.
- You may feel light-headed when rising from a reclined position.
- You experience cravings for salty and sweet foods
- Digestive disorders (increased symptoms of IBS)
- Adrenal fatigue can also cause an inability to lose weight, especially around the waist, even if eating healthy and exercising.
Understanding the role of the adrenal glands
The adrenals are a pair of glands that sit on the kidneys and produce several hormones, including the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones are associated with the “fight or flight” response, stress management, regulating metabolism, sleep, blood sugar and inflammation. When your adrenals are “fatigued,” they are not really “tired” but misfiring. The unrelenting stress forces the adrenal glands to continue to output stress hormones. Over time, the output of hormones from the adrenal glands causes them to become sluggish or compromised, resulting in insufficient amounts of the necessary hormone precursors your body needs.
How can you support your adrenal glands?
There is no specific test for “adrenal fatigue syndrome” and no prescribed medication. So, supporting your adrenal glands involves a more personalized and holistic approach that includes supplements, lifestyle changes and personal counselling to help identify and manage the stress.
It takes years of unmanaged stress on the body for the adrenal glands to get to the point of “adrenal fatigue or “adrenal burnout.” It can take 6-12 months of continued supplementation, food and lifestyle adaptations for your adrenals to heal and those much-needed adrenal hormones to balance out to more normal behaviour.
Start With the Basics
When your body is under stress, it requires a lot of vitamins B and C. The various B Vitamins play a role in improving the metabolic pathways that boost energy, reduce fatigue and help to create adrenal hormones. Vitamin C is directly involved in the production of cortisol in our adrenals. It is also a building block for the recovery of fatigued adrenals. Both vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that do not stick around in the body. We use them; they run out; we need more. A deficiency in either of these vitamins is the start of denying your adrenals the necessary vitamins to produce essential stress hormones.
Your B Vitamins should be a complex combination of all the essential B vitamins, each performing a unique responsibility for the body and central nervous system. CanPrev Synergy B 60 is an innovative vitamin B complex that delivers the full spectrum of B vitamins in their preferred forms, plus an impressive 200 mg of L-Theanine daily. L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea leaves that temporarily produces mental relaxation without sedating effects. It’s the perfect companion to a B-complex vitamin, enhancing its stress reduction and mood-enhancing properties. In addition, Synergy B contains all-natural spirulina, a blue-green algae that supplies a rich source of phytonutrients, carotene and additional B vitamins.
CanPrev Synergy C is a premium quality vitamin C formula with a combination of ingredients that ensure maximum absorbability. It provides 1,000 mg of pH-neutral vitamin C using buffered mineral delivery systems. Synergy C promotes maximum vitamin C absorption by binding ascorbic acid to minerals. To further enhance absorption and bioavailability, it also contains therapeutic dosages of antioxidant-rich bioflavonoids from citrus fruits, and sea buckthorn pulp have been added for complete synergy. CanPrev Synergy C is a premium quality vitamin C formula with a combination of ingredients that ensure maximum absorbability. It provides pH-neutral vitamin C using buffered mineral delivery systems. Synergy C promotes maximum vitamin C absorption to enhance absorption and therapeutic dosages of antioxidant-rich bioflavonoids from citrus fruits and sea buckthorn pulp have been added for complete synergy.
Choose The Best Adrenal Supplement for you!
CanPrev Adrenal Pro Recharge is a blend of adaptogenic herbs and nutrients used in herbal medicine, specially formulated to support the adrenal glands with a blend of nutrients and adaptogenic herbs used in herbal medicine, including ashwagandha to help boost immunity, lower stress and fatigue, Siberian ginseng to alleviate fatigue and depression, and astragalus to revive and rejuvenate. Consider this supplement if you show signs of adrenal fatigue and want to improve your mental and physical performance. CanPrev Adrenal Pro is a natural supplement for recharging and providing a sense of well-being!
CanPrev Adrenal Chill Women was formulated with women in mind who are suffering signs of unrelenting chronic stress, which has negatively impacted the function of the adrenal glands. CanPrev Adrenal Chill is a nourishing combination of Ashwagandha and L-Theanine that will increase resistance to stress and anxiety and improve overall quality of life. This formula will also help support the physical aspects of sexual health in women. CanPrev Adrenal Chill contains KSM-66® Ashwagandha, the highest concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha. Ashwagandha has been used for over 4,000 years for its exceptional ability to restore balance in the body, specifically in the endocrine, immune and nervous systems. Several clinical studies demonstrate its anti-stress, antioxidant, mind-boosting, immune and sexual-enhancing effects. The addition of L-Theanine, an amino acid that induces alpha brainwave activity, correlates with a perceived state of relaxation without sedation. In addition, it can help improve concentration and focus. CanPrev Adrenal Chill can help give your mind and body the tools to combat stress and anxiety naturally.
Stress & Anxiety Targeted Supplements
If you are not exhibiting most of the signs of Adrenal Fatigue but are suffering from stress anxiety and are looking for a way to better manage how your body responds to stress, consider these targeted supplements.
CanPrev L-Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in black and green tea. It is a unique supplement that can cross the blood-brain barrier, directly working its magic on the central nervous system. This popular supplement elevates GABA and dopamine levels in the brain, key neurotransmitters regulating emotions, mood, appetite and sleep. L-theanine soothes an anxious mind and, at the same time, helps you stay focused and productive. In addition, L-theanine can improve concentration and focus without making you sleepy. CanPrev L-Theanine provides pure L-theanine and magnesium bisglycinate to promote relaxation so that you can stay focused and productive.
CanPrev GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter produced naturally in the body to help promote relaxation. It also plays a role in motor control and vision. Production of this neurotransmitter can be impacted by chronic stress and lifestyle choices, leading to anxiety, inflammation, and difficulty sleeping. Research has shown that GABA positively impacts cortisol levels and may help initiate sleep. In one study, GABA levels in people with insomnia were almost 30% lower than those without sleep disorders. GABA also helps slow down feelings of fear and stress when neurons become overexcited by reducing the activity of the neurons it binds to.
CanPrev GABA Liposomal (liquid) provides a unique and exciting new delivery system for nutrients, protecting them from digestive hazards, enzymes, and other naturally occurring blocking substances, providing better assurances for nutrient absorption. CanPrev GABA ( capsules) is the traditional form of supplementation. GABA works like a “brake” in our brain and central nervous system by slowing down activity, producing a relaxing, cooling sense of calm.
CanPrev Magnesium Sleep Gaba - A person displaying signs of adrenal fatigue will often experience sleep disturbances. Overactive adrenals tend to fire at night, causing sleep-wake patterns throughout the night, leaving you exhausted throughout the day, only to gain energy throughout the night when the body should be at rest. CanPrev Magnesium Sleep Gaba combines highly absorbable Magnesium Bis-Glycinate with melatonin and GABA. This formulation is designed to help people relax, reset their circadian biological clocks, and get better sleep while reducing the time needed to fall asleep for people with delayed sleep phase disorder.
Consider visiting the endocrinologist if your symptoms (listed above) do not alleviate after supplementation. Remember, it takes months and years of constant stress for your adrenals to reach this point. Stay committed to getting them back on track.