Re: Adrenals, Hormones, Fatigue...Oh My

The best way to build up the adrenals is with natural vitamin C, pantothenic acid, and adaptogenic herbs.

The adrenals get priority of vitamin C over the entire rest of the body.  When the adrenals are weakened they have a higher demand for vitamin C, which reduces available vitamin C for other functions such as white blood cell activity leading to immune suppression, and collagen and elastin formation leading to problems including wrinkles, bone loss, and cellulite.  Vitamin C sources include watercress, kiwis, papaya, berries, amla, acerola, and rosehips.

For pantothenic acid bee pollen, rice bran, seaweeds, or nutritional yeast.  Some of the best adaptogenic herbs include schisandra berry, licorice root, astragalus, Siberian ginseng, jiaogulan, and ashwagandha.  Nettle leaf is also excellent for the adrenals.

Try to avoid stress as much as possible.  Also stay away from pharmaceutical steroids, adrenal glandulars and all stimulants like caffeine and nicotine.  Keep in mind that caffeine can be found in many hidden sources including aspirin, kola nut (bissy nut) and guarana (extremely high).

Taking some ashwagandha before going to bed will also help you to sleep.  It helps the mind to relax by stimulating the GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) receptors of the brain.  This is similar to anti-anxiety drugs, which work by intensifying the effects of GABA.

The water under your skin does not sound like cellulite.  Cellulite is actually caused from fat pushing through the connective tissue under the epidermis.  If it feels more like water then it probably is water from the adrenal dysfunction.  The adrenals help to regulate water in the body.  This should go down as you build up your adrenals if it is from water retention.

If it is fat instead of water then it could be cellulite.  A lack of vitamin C contributes to this.