Adrenal Burnout

You may have come across terms like adrenal fatigue, adrenal burnout, or adrenal insufficiency. These terms are often misunderstood; they don’t actually describe what’s happening with your adrenal glands but rather the symptoms you might experience. If your adrenal glands were to become truly “exhausted,” you would struggle with managing stress, regulating blood pressure, balancing sodium levels, and maintaining other hormones.

Here’s why I refer to adrenal fatigue as a misnomer: Ask a medical doctor or physiologist about it, and they’ll tell you it doesn’t exist. There is, however, a serious condition called Addison’s disease, where the adrenal glands’ function is severely compromised. President Kennedy had Addison’s, which caused severe chronic pain and other symptoms. The chances that you have Addison’s disease are very low. But, if you’re dealing with chronic stress—whether it’s physical stress from injury or intense exercise, emotional stress from life’s challenges, or chemical stress from poor diet—you may experience symptoms similar to Addison’s without ever being diagnosed with the disease.

While Addison’s is rare, the syndrome of adrenal fatigue is quite common. The issue isn’t usually with your adrenal glands themselves, as it is with Addison’s; instead, it’s a combination of factors like nutritional deficiencies and lifestyle choices that lead to symptoms such as:

• Persistent fatigue
• Difficulty handling stress
• Irritability
• Reduced physical performance
• Salt or sugar cravings
• Low sex hormones (e.g., testosterone, progesterone)
• Weakened immune system

The reason modern medicine often dismisses adrenal fatigue is that it’s not a failure of the adrenal glands per se, but rather an insufficiency in the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that help these glands function optimally, coupled with lifestyle factors that hinder proper rest and recovery. Because of this, it’s not something that can be easily diagnosed with a blood test.

So, how can I help if you suspect you have adrenal fatigue? One of the most effective tools I use is Applied Kinesiology, which allows me to assess your body’s needs without relying on blood tests. I also recommend a variety of herbs, vitamins, and minerals to help restore balance to your system, along with lifestyle adjustments that support your body’s ability to thrive rather than just survive. Even if you can’t see me in person, we can set up a virtual visit to address your concerns.

I tailor my approach to each individual, so the best way to address adrenal fatigue is by working with a health practitioner who understands it—like myself. I know some of you prefer a DIY approach to healthcare, and while that’s not always ideal, it’s a reality. If you’re going the DIY route, at least ensure you’re using high-quality supplements. Check out my online store for top brands at a reduced cost, including a “Favorites” section called ADRENAL SUPPORT, where I’ve listed my top picks.