Healing Adrenal Dysregulation 101: A Day In The Life (And A Proven, Cutting-Edge Protocol)
The adrenals are two tiny glands that sit above your kidneys. They are no bigger than the size of a grape, and they are responsible for your life force and all your energy.
Western medicine does not recognize adrenal dysregulation, only Addison's disease, which is when the adrenals are no longer functioning at all.
However, if we can assess the level of their functioning and bring them back up to an optimal level, your life can be renewed, energy restored, and you can feel completely transformed.
Healing adrenal dysregulation is possible!
Now, let's take a look at the long list of symptoms one can deal with while in a state of adrenal dysregulation.
The Most Common Symptoms Caused By Tired Or Worn Out Adrenal Glands
- Excessive sweating or perspiration with little activity
- Lower back pain and/or knee weakness or pain, especially on the side
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Dizziness
- Muscle twitches
- Low blood sugar
- Heart palpitations
- Sensitivity to light and/or difficulty seeing at night
- Craving for salt
- Low stamina for stress and easily irritated
- Chronic infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast)
- Low blood pressure
- Light-headedness upon standing up
- Tired but wired feeling
- Poor sleep
- Exhausted all day and then come alive with energy at night
- Cravings for sweets/carbs
- Intolerance to alcohol
- Premature aging
- Dry, unhealthy skin with excess pigmentation
- Lack of libido
- Cystic breasts
- Tendency to startle easily
- Negative response to thyroid hormone
If you suspect you might have tired and worn out adrenals, we recommend getting a 4-point saliva test and addressing it right away.
Adrenal glands are vital to your immune function, and they also help the thyroid to function properly.
Natural Ways To Support Your Adrenals
- Get some sleep. Getting proper rest is essential for healing adrenal dyregulation. That means going to bed every night by 10:00 p.m. Make this a priority and stick with it. Your adrenals need their beauty sleep!
- Eliminate sugar and processed carbs. Sugar and simple carbs (junk!) put stress on the adrenals. Your adrenal glands help to regulate your blood sugar levels and eating too much refined sugar can cause bloating and water retention.
- Eat clean animal protein, organic fruit, root vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, and healthy fats
- Quit the coffee habit and drink plenty of fresh filtered water daily with essential trace minerals added
- Eat a breakfast that contains protein and healthy fat within one hour of waking every day. Try our favorite breakfast smoothie or our Adrenal Healing Creamsicle
- Watch the video above to see a sample meal and snack day in the life of healing adrenal dysregulation
- Take adaptogenic, calming herbs and licorice tincture
- Take magnesium before bed with your blood sugar-stabilizing snack
- Make sure you're taking a good multi-strain probiotic
- Add essential trace minerals to your water
- Work on building cellular energy by eating frequently during the day
- Consider taking desiccated liver pills to support both your liver and cellular energy
Need More In-Depth Support For Healing Adrenal Dysregulation?
While the above list is definitely a great starting place, we realize that you might need a more structured, in-depth healing protocol.
If this resonates with you, we now offer an online program for healing adrenal dysregulation.
It’s called The Adrenal ReCode.
It’s our most powerful and personal program to date, as it’s truly the culmination of my own “Whole Journey” – mind, body, and spirit.
The Adrenal ReCode is a cutting-edge, food-based clinical program designed to help you free yourself from chronic anxiety, exhaustion, depression, insomnia, and overwhelm by teaching you how to ReCode your adrenals, rejuvenate your thyroid, nourish your brain and heal your nervous system, which allows the body to create lasting hormonal balance.
Can relate to many of the symptoms.
Do you have a recommendation for a specific 4-point saliva test?
We like the Biohealth 401 Cortisol Rhythm test for a basic cortisol panel.
Can you do this program from the U.K ? Looked at supplements and it says shipping is unavailable 😞
Hi Emma – you can definitely do the program still. As for the supplements, you can try to find the same ones in your local health food stores or however else you get supplements.
Hello,
I am wondering what an ideal lunch /dinner would be for adrenal fatigue if I am vegan. I am able to tolerate bone broth but don’t think I can do meat. Thank you son much
Hi, I am wondering about the adrenal creamsicle and why having orange juice together with dairy is good for the adrenals. According to the book adrenal reset diet it is recommended to stay away from dairy and fruit juices when you want to reset your adrenals. So please explain that to me in terms of liver metabolism, glucose and cortisol levels. In your adrenal reset diet is dairy allowed ?? Thx for your help clarifying this issue for me. Best Judith
Hi,
For breakfast you also recommend a smoothie with protein powder. Can I use spirulina powder instead? It contains also proteins. Thank you.
Hi Minnie- We do not find that it includes enough protein to stabilize our blood sugar levels, you may find adding collagen peptides to be a good pick in addition to the spirulina.
I’m following this protocol for adrenal fatigue. Once I feel better, should I keep up any of this/all of this/some? 😉
Just don’t want to over supplement when I don’t need to.
Hey Sonja! Yes, I would recommend following for a period of 30-60 days and then see how you feel reducing some of the supplements. 🙂
Hi Christa, My 13 year old daughter has SWCAH – Adrenal disease. She currently takes a steroid every eight hours and florinef (salt pill). I’m trying to educate myself as much as possible on adrenal support. Reese has been healthy but she’s reaching her teenage years. Can you recommend a liquid form of adrenal support for her? she does not swallow pills. I would love your thoughts on CBD oil and if you think it would help with adrenal stress and inflammation. I’ve heard great things!!
Hey Carrie! Thanks so much for writing in, and I am so very sorry to hear about your daughter. Please reach out to our team [email protected] and we can point you and your daughter in the right direction 🙂
What if you don’t feel comfortable using bone broth due glutamate or glutamine issues your body has, what would be a good substitute? Bone broth has a higher amount of these than I feel comfortable with. Is it the protein from the bone broth or amino acids Christa is after in the bone broth, collagen and strawberries she is recommending you combine?
Hi Kim! You may incorporate mineral broth instead 🙂 Reach out to our team if you need the recipe, it is vegetable broth full of minerals which nourish the adrenals.
Where can I order the 4 point saliva test for this? Thanks!
Where can we do the 4 point Saliva Test?
Yes…those are good books. You could write the next book on adrenals with your awesome information! Lyme burned out my adrenals and the hospital that took away my thyroid medicine I had for 30 years and supplements that helped my immune system/cells. Yes…the symptoms you say are very accurate. It is my right adrenal/kidney that hurts. I went 10 years without eating fruit except pasteurized Lemon juice and got precancer which went away when I ate fruit. Fruit feeds the Lyme so I don’t know if I need to stop eating it, but it makes me feel better. I try not to eat before I go to bed, but had to eat more due to my adrenals being burned out. I had to raise my progesterone to help make cortisol to help my adrenals and stop hot flashes/swelling and to help my immune system. I can feel the Lyme move in my brain so maybe I can’t heal eating fruit except the lowest sugar ones. I have Uranium also in me from my granite counter top which makes free radicals. Ozone/herbs/Far Infrared Sauna/strong probiotic helps me. Yes…trace minerals are low and sea salt has 22 minerals and Himalayan salt has about 80 minerals. Trace minerals are needed. Vit B5/Vit C may help adrenals. Stress may use up B vitamins/Zn/progesterone. I would love to rebuild my adrenals and get them to work again. I can’t eat meat…clogs my blood vessels. I hope I can heal 100% again. Thanks for your awesome videos/information!
Thanks for reading, Shasha! Wishing you all the best on your healing journey, our program is great for those recovering from Lyme, if you would like to learn more about how our programs can help with lyme as well as supporting the adrenals and thyroid, email our team at: [email protected]
I have a Rutin allergy, so figuring out exactly what to eat is a challenge. What is your opinion, if any, of doing a 21 day water fast to, perhaps, reset the adrenal glands and Thyroid?
Hi Jag, We don’t believe it’s a good idea for people with adrenal fatigue to do a water fast. If you are still considering it we recommend you do it under the care of your doctor. To help heal and reset your adrenals you want to eat every 2 hours–and include a balance of glucose (ie: via an apple or starchy vegetable) mineral salts (ie: via greens, cucumber, celery or lemon water) and potassium (ie: via sweet potato or avocado) with each meal and snack. The books Christa recommends in the blog are also great resources for those with adrenal fatigue. Please take your rutin allergy into consideration when choosing from the foods suggested in this response.
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it!
I like to share my experience with water fasting… I did a two day water fast, then stored up on healthy fats. The following week, I was able to finish a 5 day water fast. (I did add sea salt.)
I have Thyroid and adrenal issues and have been under a wonderful doctors care at Dr. C’s clinic for 4 years. Before I started the water fast, a lot of my symptoms had returned and I was having a tough time. On day three of the fast, all those symptoms except for not getting great sleep disappeared (may be my PTSD). I feel better then I have in years!I am going by “Glow 15”, by Naomi Whittle. My body enjoyed the rest from digesting, I was going after stem cell which kicked in on day 4. My doctor was pleasantly surprised when I spoke with her last week.
This is my problem. What should I do?If I could just be heard.Doctors just don’t understand.
Hi Carolyn, We hear this a lot. A good place to start is by following the tips Christa lists in the blog under Natural Ways to Support Your Adrenals. The books she suggested are filled with solutions on how to heal your adrenals.
Hi I am 53 and have acne rosacea so I take that mixture you spoke about on a show on you tube with pink salt lemon juice and fresh garlic twice a day 10 minutes before lunch and dinner. Still I haven’t been feeling any burn in my tummy. Is this mixture still beneficial for my skin condition.Sometimes I take a glass with spirulina ,aloe vera and water about an hour after lunch, is this good. ?
Hi Josphine, We have some more suggestions for balancing stomach acid and improving rosacea fast on Christa’s blog here: https://thewholejourney.com/stomach-acid-balance/
Will the adrenals heal without taking desiccated liver pills?
Hi Nicholas! Desiccated liver helps to support your liver and cellular energy but you can definitely heal the adrenals without this supplement. Please check out the books Christa recommends in the blog to learn more about other supplements that can help.
Can i substitute Fulvic Ionic minerals for Trace minerals – I already bought them when I began searching and they were touted by Body Ecology – Before I found The Whole Journey 🙂
Hi Gail, Trace minerals are made by different companies so if you like the brand you have on hand that should be just fine.
Thank you for all the information. Please add me to your mailing list so that I can follow you further. Thanks.
Hi Susan! To sign up for our newsletter and receive your free welcome kit, please visit our home page https://thewholejourney.com/start-here/. Welcome to The Whole Journey tribe!
Christa, do any of your programs get rid of dental biofilm? If not could you recommend a program?
Thank you
Hi Paula! Please check out Christa’s blog on holistic ways to improve teeth and gums. I think you’ll find it very informative. https://thewholejourney.com/5-holistic-ways-to-improve-teeth-and-gums/.
Hey Paula- this is exactly what next Tuesday’s show is about so stay tuned! – Christa
This is a wonderfully insightful gift to us all. Thank you so much Christa and TWJ team!
Stacey – could you tell Christa that this video was absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for making it and sharing it. Your team is absolutely the best in the health and wellness field.
Thank You Anthony-we’ll let Christa know how much you liked the video.
Can hyperthyroidism be caused by the adrenals?
I enjoyed your video – seeking help with my gut issues!!!!!
Great question, Wendy! The health of your adrenal glands has a huge influence on thyroid function. If you are suffering from a thyroid condition, like hyperthyroidism, it’s important to have your practitioner also evaluate your adrenal health.
Does the breakfast smoothie really have 25grams of protein?
Hi Camila! Yes, because The Breakfast Smoothie includes protein powder. Here is a link to the recipe https://thewholejourney.com/the-breakfast-smoothie-everyone-likes/. Enjoy!
Here’s an issue I haven’t heard. I used the Vital proteins for about 3 weeks and all of a sudden I started to sneeze, get a little headache and felt pressure in my sinus area when I’ve taken only one scoop. I believe it’s the histamines that are in the powder although I’m not sure. Have you ever heard of this?
Hi Shirley, It’s hard to say without running labs, but you may have developed a sensitivity to an ingredient in the powder. Here’s a link to Christa’s blog on food allergy testing you might find helpful https://thewholejourney.com/differences-between-ige-and-igg-testing-for-allergies-and-sensitivities/.
Christa! This was one of your best! I have recovered from Stage 3-4 adrenal fatigue and wish my naturopath had been so clear on the nutrition part (instead of handfuls of supplements). Now I’m worried about my husband as he is starting to exhibit symptoms of AF. I’m going to gently implememt your suggestions for him to see if we can avoid a crash! Thank you!
Oh, and btw, your hair is especially pretty these days. Love the length and color!🤗
Lori, your husband is lucky to have you looking out for him and offering “gentle” suggestions for him to try. Great job!
Hi! Wondering how all of this applies if trying to get pregnant…are all the supplements safe? And how long should you use them? I know people always say consult your doctor but conventional doctors never exactly agree or support the use of natural meds…at least thats what i have come to find. My doctor thinks i don’t have adrenal fatigue because i look normal HAHA!
Hi Lauren, If you are dealing with Adrenal Fatigue and trying to conceive check out Christa’s prenatal blog post that includes a link to order her book, “How to Conceive Naturally”. In it she shares ways to deal with AF before, during and after pregnancy. https://thewholejourney.com/how-to-conceive-naturally-and-have-a-healthy-pregnancy-after-30/
Great informations, thank you! Thank you for the ideas of creamsicle and bonebrooth smoothie with strawberries.
I am allergic to nuts, peanuts, almonds and I don’t seem to do well on seeds. I am searching ideas for snack that I can easily carry in my purse that is not liquid and that I can eat whenever I need it. Can you help? Thank you!
You’re welcome, Nathalie! Our gut healing programs include meal plans, recipes and snack lists. If you are not currently enrolled then please peruse our recipe section for nutritious snack ideas that don’t include nuts and seeds. https://thewholejourney.com/category/recipe-categories/snacks/. Hope that helps!
Paleo grass fed meat sticks or beef jerky is great on the go protein, my friend makes her own beef jerky in a dehydrator from organic beef and spices
You are so appreciated!
So are you, Tina!
Wow wonderfully done thank you !!! I’m
Thanks, Rosiland!
Thank you for this information. I do have a question about the lunch section. I read that proper food combining keeps starches like rice and animal proteins separate, which has been helpful to me. In this video, though, it recommends eating them together. Is there a more detailed explanation for this?