Updated January 06, 2015.

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Located near the top of each kidney, your adrenal glands release hormones (such as adrenaline and cortisol) that help your body respond to stressful situations (by briefly pumping up your energy levels, for instance). Research suggests that when you're constantly suffering physical, mental, or emotional stress, your stress-hormone system may become "worn out" and actually produce fewer stress hormones.

This state of exhaustion -- commonly known as adrenal fatigue -- is associated with chronic tiredness, food cravings, mood swings, and weight gain.

It is important to note that adrenal fatigue is not a generally accepted medical diagnosis. 

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

Typically brought on by prolonged stress (often combined with poor nutrition, overexercising, and lack of sufficient sleep), adrenal fatigue is mainly marked by a consistent lack of energy. Other signs and symptoms include:

• caffeine dependence
• irregular menstrual cycles
• insomnia
• weight gain (especially around the abdomen)
• muscle and/or joint pain
• salt cravings
• headaches
• low libido

Remember that common conditions such as depression and fibromyalgia may cause similar symptoms.

Natural Remedies for Adrenal Fatigue

Here are some natural solutions for fighting adrenal fatigue and reclaiming your energy.

1) The Adrenal Fatigue Diet

Increasing your levels of vitamin C (found in citrus, red bell peppers, papaya, and broccoli) and vitamin B5 (available in sunflower seeds, mushrooms, yogurt, and corn) through your diet or supplements may help ease symptoms of adrenal fatigue.

Too much caffeine may also take its toll on your adrenal glands. To curb your caffeine intake, try to gradually replace coffee and soda with lower-caffeine beverages like green tea.

2) Herbs for Adrenal Fatigue

For herbal relief of adrenal fatigue, look to adaptogens. This class of herbs (which includes ginseng, ashwaghandha, and rhodiola) is thought to build your resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress, as well as boost your energy and vitality. In a 2009 study, for instance, researchers found that taking 576 mg of a standardized rhodiola extract in supplement form daily reduced stress and increased mental performance (without producing adverse effects) in a group of adults suffering from stress-related fatigue.

Learn more about how to use herbs safely.

3) Support Your Adrenals With Stress Relief

Keeping your stress in check is key to alleviating adrenal fatigue. Research shows that yoga, meditation, and tai chi can all help lower your levels of cortisol and decrease your stress. For optimal stress relief, include one of these tension-taming practices—or another relaxation technique, such as deep breathing—into your daily routine.

Exercise is also effective for managing stress, but high-intensity cardiovascular workouts (such as running or vigorous cycling) may contribute to burnout in some cases.

Learn more about how to lessen the negative effects of stress.

Using Natural Remedies for Adrenal Health

Due to a lack of supporting research, it's too soon to recommend any natural remedy for adrenal fatigue. If you're considering using alternative medicine, talk to your doctor before starting your supplement regimen. Keep in mind that natural remedies should not be used as a substitute for standard care in treatment of a chronic health condition.

<sub>Sources:

Esch T, Duckstein J, Welke J, Braun V. "Mind/body techniques for physiological and psychological stress reduction: stress management via Tai Chi training - a pilot study." Medical Science Monitor 2007 13(11):CR488-497.

Olsson EM, von Schéele B, Panossian AG. "A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue." Planta Medica 2009 75(2):105-12.

Tang YY, Ma Y, Wang J, Fan Y, Feng S, Lu Q, Yu Q, Sui D, Rothbart MK, Fan M, Posner MI. "Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2007 23;104(43):17152-6.

West J, Otte C, Geher K, Johnson J, Mohr DC. "Effects of Hatha yoga and African dance on perceived stress, affect, and salivary cortisol." Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2004 28(2):114-8.</sub>

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.