Lifestyle Changes for Adrenal Stress syndrome

Lifestyle Changes for Adrenal Stress syndrome

1. Avoiding Adrenal Stimulators

It is very important to avoid certain foods and chemicals in order to
avoid excessive stress on the adrenal glands. In order to normalize
the adrenals, not only is nutrition support required but the removal of
stimulants and sources of adrenal stress need to be eliminated as
well.

Patients who do not comply with avoiding stimulators will have
minimal results. The following is a list of foods and chemicals that
need to be completely avoided when making an attempt to normalize
adrenal function.

 Concentrated sugars
 Caffeine (decaffeinated is not acceptable because it still
contains 60% of caffeine)
 Nicotine
 Alcohol
 Allergic foods (histamine is an adrenal stimulant)
 Partially hydrogenated fats (inhibit steroid hormone synthesis)
 Artificial sweeteners (blocks the conversion of phenylalanine to
tyrosine which is needed to synthesize catecholamines in the
adrenal medulla)
 Overeating
 Inadequate sleep

2. Stabilize Glucose Levels

If blood glucose levels are not stabilized, there will be minimal results
when attempting to correct adrenal status. This is especially a
concern with patients who have reactive hypoglycemia symptoms
such as: irritability before meals, getting “shaky” and lightheaded
when meals are missed, and when eating relieves fatigue. When
blood sugar levels fall, healthy adrenals restore the levels back to
normal.

If the stress to the adrenal glands is not removed, the
adrenals will not have the opportunity to rebuild.

In addition to
supplying the adrenals with the nutrients it requires to stabilize blood
glucose levels such as PROGLYCO-SP TM (K-13) with hypoadrenia
and GLYSENTM (K-1) with hyperadrenia, dietary guidelines need to
be addressed to stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Dietary Guidelines to Stabilize Glucose Levels

1. Do not skip breakfast.
2. Eat a high quality protein-based breakfast.
3. Eat every 2-3 hours. Do not wait until you are hungry.
4. Snack with low glycemic foods such as nuts, seeds, hard boiled
eggs, etc.
5. Avoid all fruit juices and carrot juice.
6. Never consume high glycemic fruits (foods) without a source of
protein.
7. Avoid all adrenal stimulants (as listed above).
8. Eat a well-balanced diet consisting mostly of vegetables and
lean meats.

3. Exercise in Aerobic Heart Range
It is crucial for patients with either hyperadrenia (increased
cortisol) or hypoadrenia (low cortisol) to exercise in the aerobic
heart range. We have two systems of energy production in our
bodies – aerobic or anaerobic. Anaerobic exercises include
activities that require fast, explosive movements such as weight
liftings, fast paced jogging, sprinting, and any other form of
exercise that cannot be performed for a long duration.

On the other hand, aerobic exercise includes long duration activities such
as walking, slow jogging, slow cycling, and any other form of
exercise that involves endurance. It is absolutely crucial for
patients with hyper or hypoadrenal function to focus on aerobic
activity. Aerobic exercise utilizes the fatty acid / fat burning system
of the body instead of sugar burning system induced by anaerobic
activity. Anaerobic activity will put stress on the adrenals because
simple sugars are being used for energy. When sugar levels
decrease, the adrenals are required to normalize blood sugar
levels.

On the other hand, aerobic activity will not only decrease
cortisol levels, but, it will also use fatty acids for energy instead of
sugars and will not require the stress put on the adrenal glands to
normalize blood sugar levels during and after the workout.