Re: --Adrenals-- Found some recommendations. Any opinion?

Hi

I found some interesting recommendations about DECREASED ADRENAL FUNCTION & HYPOGLYCEMIA. Some seem good. I left the herbal and supplements part from the source.

I think it may interest Some. But I would like Moreless to take a look at it (if he wishes of course).

Here's the stuff and good luck.
WIEL

From: http://www.compassionateacupuncture.com/decreased_adrenal_function.htm

Title:DECREASED ADRENAL FUNCTION & HYPOGLYCEMIA

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HYPOGLYCEMIA AND DECREASED ADRENAL FUNCTION

Hypoglycemia literally means low blood sugar. Most of the time when people say they have hypoglycemia they are describing a group of symptoms that occur when the body reacts to increasing blood sugar levels after eating and it may overdo its efforts to bring blood sugar back down. Common symptoms include fatigue, anxiety, headaches, difficulty concentrating, sweaty palms, shakiness, excessive hunger, drowsiness, abdominal pain and depression.

According to James Wilson in his book Adrenal Fatigue. The 21st Century Stress Syndrome people who have hypoglycemia are usually suffering from decreased adrenal function. Cortisol helps keep blood sugar levels adequate to meet our body’s demand for energy. However, when our adrenal glands are fatigued, cortisol levels drop lower than normal. This makes it more difficult for our body to maintain normal blood sugar levels. As a result, people with adrenal fatigue also tend to have low blood sugar. The lower the blood sugar levels, the more cortisol it takes to normalize them.

He describes what happens as follows: When our adrenals are fatigued, the cortisol output is diminished and we have lower levels of circulating blood cortisol. With lowered blood cortisol, our liver has a more difficult time converting glycogen into glucose. Fats, proteins and carbohydrates, which normally can be converted into glucose, also cannot be as readily converted into glucose. These reserve energy pools controlled by cortisol are critical to achieving and maintaining normal blood sugar levels, especially during stress. Further complicating this matter is that during stress, insulin levels are increased because the demand for energy in the cells is greater. Insulin opens the cell wall membranes to take in more glucose in order to provide more energy to the cells. Without adequate cortisol levels to facilitate the conversion of glycogen, fats and proteins to new glucose supplies this increased demand is difficult or impossible to meet. All this combines to produce low blood sugar.

He goes on to say that to the body, hypoglycemia is a strong stressor; an emergency call to action that further drains already fatigued adrenals. People who treat their own hypoglycemia by eating something sweet with a cup of coffee or a cola are on a constant roller-coaster ride throughout the day with their blood sugar erratically rising and then falling after each sugar fix. This throws not only cortisol and insulin levels into turmoil, but also the nervous system and the entire homeostasis of the body. And by the end of the day, the person may feel exhausted without having done anything. 60% of people suffering from hypoglycemia go on to become diabetics.

Best Times to Eat for Adrenal Fatigue

The best time to eat breakfast is before 10:00AM in the morning because between 6:00 and 8:00 AM cortisol levels typically rise rapidly, peaking at around 8:00AM and while your cortisol levels are higher, you may not feel like eating. In addition, the low liver function that often accompanies low adrenal function also suppresses early morning hunger.

Eat lunch between 11:00 - 11:30

Eat a snack between 2:00 and 3:00

Eat dinner around 5:00 or 6:00

And eat a snack just before bedtime.

Dietary Recommendations for Adrenal Fatigue

30- 40% whole grains

30-40% vegetables

10-20% animal foods

10-15% beans, seeds and nuts

5-10% fruits

Eating natural high quality food at frequent, regular intervals will make a difference to your adrenal health as well as to your energy level.

Combine fat, protein and complex carbohydrates at every meal and snack.

Most people with adrenal fatigue do not do well having cereal grains in the morning (even those made from whole grains).

Good sources of whole grains are brown rice, whole wheat, buckwheat, unpearled barley, whole oats, unhulled millet, quinoa and amaranth.

Useful Foods for Adrenal Fatigue

Foods high in magnesium such as kelp, almonds, cashews and other nuts, brown sesame seeds, whole wheat, peas and beans.

Carob helps normalize hypoglycemia.

Useful Foods for Kidney Yang Deficiency

Rice, sweet brown rice, oats, spelt, quinoa, corn, buckwheat and rye. Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, peanuts, chestnuts and pine nuts. Yellow onions, Chinese yam, Chinese cabbage, parsnip, winter squash, sweet potato, kale, leek, scallion, mustard greens and carrots. Lychee, pumpkin, cherry, citrus peel, dates and raisins. Hot peppers, black pepper and cayenne Caution: use hot peppers and cayenne in small pinches as they can have a strong cooling effect. Walnuts (start eating one walnut a day, then add one more each day, not to exceed 20 per day). Chicken, goat’s milk, beef, lamb, shrimp, mussels, fish (e.g., anchovy and trout).

In general, use warming foods and methods of preparation.

Foods to Avoid in Persons with Adrenal Fatigue

Avoid sugar, white flour and chocolate. Chocolate contains magnesium; so chocolate cravings can mean your body craves magnesium. However, chocolate also contains caffeine and theobromine, which can overstimulate the adrenals leading to further adrenal fatigue. Take 400 mg/day of magnesium citrate instead.

Avoid hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. These oils use up the enzymes that would normally be utilized by the good oils, and they prevent your body from creating quality cell membranes and nerve sheaths.

Avoid foods high in potassium such as bananas and dried figs as they make adrenal fatigue worse.

Avoid caffeine containing foods and beverages.

Avoid fruit juices in the morning, do not have them by themselves and drink only small quantities of them.

Avoid alcohol and soft drinks.

Eat fried foods only once a month or less.

Use fewer cooling foods and fruits and raw foods.

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