The adrenal glands are a crucial part of our body that produce hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and aldosterone. Located above the kidneys, they play an essential role in blood pressure regulation and electrolyte balance, metabolism, immune response, and sex hormones. They produce adrenaline to help fuel quick reaction during stressful situations, so in today’s high-stress world your adrenal glands can struggle to produce enough counterbalancing cortisol to help you calm down again, leading to adrenal fatigue or insufficiency. Cortisol also influences how quickly your body metabolizes proteins, fats, and sugars, so cortisol levels are sometimes the culprit behind weight gain. It is one of several glucocorticoids, which are associated with suppression of the immune response and decrease the absorption of calcium in the gastrointestinal tract. So too much stress = too much cortisol = slower metabolism and increased likelihood of getting sick, weight gain, less sleep, and more stress. Nothing good! 

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue/insufficiency include “brain fog,” general malaise, craving salty foods, quick temper or mood swings, and weight gain, especially visceral fat around the belly. Your usual remedies - healthy eating, sleep, exercise, meditation - can help give your body the rest it needs to recover, along with Vitamins B5, B6, and B12, Vitamin C, and magnesium.