Worn out. Unmotivated. Achy. So tired. Depressed. These are just some of the words people use to describe adrenal fatigue. Others are wired, anxious, and overstimulated. The most frustrating part is that those with adrenal fatigue are often ambitious, driven, and hard-working. They're also more often women than men.



Everyone experiences such symptoms in certain seasons of life. Those with adrenal fatigue often endure them for so long that they can't help but feel hopeless.



I first learned of adrenal fatigue through Dr. Jim LaValle, author of The Metabolic Code. Dr. LaValle was one of the first healthcare practitioners to point out the connection between stress, cortisol patterns, and the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. My wife, Vanessa, found herself in the late stages of adrenal fatigue, and was fortunate to work with Dr. LaValle on her recovery. It took much prayer, patience, and persistence. Eventually, she worked her way through it.



Had I not seen first-hand how hard it can be, I would have never known the frustration people feel when dealing with adrenal fatigue.



I do need to mention that adrenal fatigue is not a recognized medical condition (yet). Conventional doctors might raise their eyebrows if you suggest to them you might have adrenal fatigue. They'd be more likely to diagnose depression than consider adrenal fatigue (the symptoms are similar for both). Adrenal fatigue isn't a black and white condition. Though there are tests to measure certain aspects of adrenal function, the root cause is often a mix of lifestyle, exercise, attitude and nutrition choices.



In this article, I hope to:



* Provide a clear explanation of what adrenal fatigue is, as well as explain what else could cause similar symptoms* Explain why the cause is not necessarily stress or cortisol, but your resilience to stress and your recovery from shots of cortisol* Outline simple steps in your Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude, and Nutrition choices to help you overcome the symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue and reclaim your vigor and vitality



I've kept the technical writing to a minimum. It might make me sound smarter to use big words, but I'm more interested in you getting the necessary points, and then taking action on them, than thinking "Wow! That was fascinating but I have no idea what to do."



Cortisol Rhythm, Stress, and Recovery



Let's begin with stress because it's rare to find an article about adrenal fatigue without it being connected to stress and cortisol.



Stress is not bad. Cortisol is not bad. I realize that's counter to what you've probably heard, but it's all about context.



Your adrenal glands release cortisol in a daily rhythm and in response to a real or perceived stress. Your adrenal glands are part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which governs many of your hormones.



In stressful circumstances, cortisol acts with the neurotransmitters adrenaline and noradrenaline to increase heart rate, blood flow, energy and acuity, and enhances your reflexes. Elevated cortisol is only detrimental when your diet, lifestyle, and exercise habits don't allow you to recover from one release of cortisol to the next.



Neurotransmitter: Chemical messenger produced in the nervous system and carried through the nervous system to target tissues. Neurotransmitters are fast-acting, and their effects are short-lived.