We all have adrenal glands in our body, and they are extremely important because they're responsible for the production of essential hormones. For example, the glands produce the sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen.
Adrenal fatigue, medically known as adrenal insufficiency, is when the adrenal glands aren't producing enough of one or more of these essential hormones.
The condition can lead to various symptoms, and which ones you will experience depend on what hormone is being affected.
However, the main symptoms include fatigue, nervousness, body ache, light-headedness, and body hair loss.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, then you must go to a doctor. They can carry out blood tests to analyze the level of adrenal hormones in your blood, with abnormally low levels indicating that you have adrenal fatigue.
The cause of adrenal fatigue is thought to be chronic stress. It's where your body is in 'fight or flight mode' for extended periods due to excess stress, leading to very high levels of the hormone cortisol.
The adrenal glands can't keep up with this and the hormone demand that it brings, reducing the hormones it produces.
Adrenal fatigue isn't a pleasant thing for anyone to go through, and people particularly get worried about the common symptom of hair loss that comes with it.
The hair loss is caused by the adrenal glands not producing enough testosterone and DHEA hormones due to abnormally high cortisol levels.
You can do some things to help prevent yourself from getting adrenal fatigue or to help treat the symptoms if you already have it.
Below are some completely natural remedies options you can easily try to help battle adrenal fatigue and cortisol hair loss.
Natural Remedies for Adrenal Fatigue
1. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a plant that you may not have heard of but is something that we can use to bring some amazing benefits to our health and body.
One of the main benefits that it brings is that it helps to regulate our natural sleep cycle.
Seeing as adrenal fatigue causes, as the name suggests, a lot of fatigue and tiredness, Ashwagandha is a great herbal remedy for helping to combat this symptom.
It also helps to support and boost our endocrine system, which, for those who aren't sure what it is, is the network of glands and organs involved in the production and regulation of hormones.
Furthermore, Ashwagandha has been shown to make the body better able to adapt to stressful situations. For example, it helps to promote normal mood and energy levels and give our immune system a boost so that our body doesn't get run down by stress.
Adrenal fatigue is caused by excessive stress. Suppose Ashwagandha can help us adapt and be less vulnerable to stress. In that case, it can, in turn, prevent us from developing adrenal fatigue (or combat the condition if you already have it).
BeHerbal has made a great supplement that contains the fantastic herb Ashwagandha. They are capsules that are entirely vegan-friendly and help provide natural relief from stress and anxiety. Furthermore, it can help support your thyroid gland, which is another vital component of the endocrine system. And want to know what's even better? These supplements are made from entirely organic ingredients!
2. Licorice Root
Licorice Root is another great herbal remedy for adrenal fatigue because it can break down cortisol.
Adrenal fatigue is caused by chronic stress leading to excessively high levels of cortisol. Therefore, licorice root's ability to break down cortisol will help prevent those high levels from accumulating and prevent the onset of adrenal fatigue.
For those who already have adrenal fatigue, licorice root can help treat the condition by reducing the cortisol levels.
3. Holy Basil
This herb is one that is known for bringing a sense of balance to mind and body. It does this by changing the way your body responds to stress to help reduce the levels and nourish your body.
Holy basil also helps to support overall adrenal health to ensure the correct functioning of your endocrine system, and therefore hormone production.
4. Sleep Aids
Another thing you can use to help you deal with adrenal fatigue are natural sleeping aids. These will help you to overcome the tiredness and lethargy that can come with adrenal fatigue. They will promote a healthy, natural sleeping pattern so you can keep your energy levels and mood high.
It's extremely important that you only use natural sleeping aids, as it's always good to avoid taking medicinal products where you can.
BeHerbal does a great, completely natural sleeping aid, which helps you fall asleep faster, have better quality sleep, and wake up feeling rejuvenated. There is often the worry with sleeping aids that you can become dependent on them. However, these BeHerbal supplements work to optimize your sleep through a mixture of natural herbs and amino acids so that soon you won't even need the sleeping aid anymore!
Want to know a bonus of this sleeping aid? It helps to support and improve overall adrenal health by reducing stress and anxiety. So, not only will they allow you to tackle the symptoms of tiredness that come with adrenal fatigue, but they will also help to treat and prevent you from getting the condition.
Adrenal Fatigue And Hair Loss
As already mentioned, hair loss is one of the biggest, and often first, symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
It is the thing that most people who have adrenal fatigue find the most difficult to deal with, as it decreases their confidence and self-esteem.
You can do some things to help prevent hair loss or promote hair regrowth during adrenal fatigue.
There are certain vitamins and minerals that you should make sure you are getting plenty of to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Vitamin B and C are essential for helping to battle fatigue, and one of their major benefits is that they can help prevent cortisol hair loss.
These vitamins, along with zinc and iron, help to nourish your hair to make it stronger and healthier to prevent hair loss. If you make sure you are eating foods high in these nutrients, you'll be much better able to fight the dreaded adrenal fatigue hair loss.
To get your recommended daily dosage of these essential vitamins and minerals, you can either increase your intake of foods such as vegetables, lean meats, and eggs, or you can take supplements.
Many find the latter to be the easiest way to do it, as they can take some supplements in the morning and then go about the rest of their day without worrying about the possibility of deficiencies.
BeHerbal does some supplements that contain both zinc and vitamin C, which is precisely what you need to maintain good hair health and strength. The supplements are made from entirely natural ingredients. Not only will they help prevent you from getting adrenal fatigue hair loss, but they will also boost your overall immune system! Get yours here!
Natural Remedies For Adrenal Fatigue And Hair Loss
There are also some great natural remedies you can make from home, which will help prevent hair loss and strengthen your hair.
- Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is something that the body produces naturally. You have probably heard of it being included in lots of different skincare and cosmetic products. That's because it helps retain moisture, which is very beneficial to the skin and our body. It's also very good to keep our hair moisturized, nourished, and healthy, which helps prevent hair loss.
The best way to take hyaluronic acid for your hair is to ingest it orally. So, get your hands on some natural hyaluronic acid supplements, and you'll have strong, long hair that's resilient to the effects of adrenal fatigue! However, please make sure you check with your doctor before you take any supplements.
- Peppermint Oil
Peppermint isn't only something that tastes and smells divine! It can also help prevent you from losing your hair, which is important for those who have adrenal fatigue.
The oil from peppermint contains methanol, which is a substance that helps to promote blood circulation. Therefore, when applied directly to the scalp and massaged in, it increases blood flow to the area, stimulates hair growth, and increases the hair follicles' overall strength.
Want to make your hair mask out of peppermint oil? Below are some instructions on how you can make your natural remedy for adrenal fatigue hair loss:
- Mix castor oil and olive oil in a ratio of 2:1
- Add 4 or 5 drops of peppermint oil
- Massage onto your scalp
- Leave for at least 30 minutes
Adrenal Fatigue Diet
If you want to get rid of your adrenal fatigue or lower your risk of developing it, you can follow a specific type of diet. Don't worry; this isn't some crazy fad diet that involves massively restricting your calories. It is simply a recommendation of foods you should try and eat more of those and others that you should avoid.
Foods You Should Eat
To promote good adrenal health, you need to make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet.
Therefore, the types of food you are eating include:
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Fish
- Dairy
- Nuts
- Healthy fats (e.g., olive oil, great for cooking and sauteing)
- Lean meats
- Legumes
Additionally, you need to make sure you are getting all the essential nutrients you need, such as magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B.
Vitamin C is extremely important for battling adrenal fatigue because it has been proven to significantly reduce stress, lowering cortisol levels (the most significant cause of adrenal fatigue).
Not only this, but vitamin C has also been shown to prevent the enlargement of the adrenal gland, which is something that would put a lot of physical stress on the gland and body, leading to adrenal fatigue.
The primary way to get your vitamin C intake is to make sure you are eating plenty of vegetables.
Vitamin B is another essential vitamin that is crucial for helping to prevent adrenal fatigue.
Vitamin B12 is a particularly important one, with deficiencies in this being known to cause fatigue and tiredness. Not only this, but a lack of the vitamin has also been shown to lead to a reduction in cognitive function.
The nutrient is extremely beneficial to your adrenal gland, as it helps to prevent stress on the adrenal cortex (the part of the gland responsible for the production of hormones).
Therefore, ensuring you are getting enough vitamin B through meat, vegetables, or whole grains is essential to prevent yourself from experiencing adrenal fatigue or cognitive decline.
Alternatively, you can incorporate vitamin supplements into your diet. BeHerbal has made some great supplements containing a mixture of the essential minerals and vitamins you need! They will help ensure you get your recommended daily dosage and are made from entirely organic and natural ingredients.
Foods You Should Avoid
Now that you know what foods you can have, it's time to learn about what foods are best to avoid so that you can lower your risk of getting adrenal fatigue.
It probably comes as no surprise that the foods you shouldn't have in an adrenal fatigue diet are processed or high in sugar. Below is a list of some examples of foods you need to avoid:
- Junk food (e.g., chocolate and sweets)
- Fizzy drinks
- Caffeine
- Fast foods
- Alcohol
- White flour and sugar
You should also try and make sure that you eat regularly throughout the day and do not skip breakfast; otherwise, your body will use up essential nutrients as fuel for the body and deplete your energy levels. So, eating little amounts throughout the day helps to keep your energy up.
You also need to make sure you are drinking plenty of water! Hydration is important for everyone, but if you have adrenal fatigue, staying hydrated will help you better deal with the symptoms and lead to reduced stress levels to help treat or prevent the condition.
