452 Adrenal Fatigue [1 Jan 2018]

This is the first column of 2018 and the beginning of my last year – I plan to retire this column at #500 sometime next December.

In March 2015 [#311] I discussed the three stages of adrenal fatigue: wired & tired; stressed & tired; and burned out. In #312 I listed the 9 healing steps used by Dr Robin Berzin in her practice with patients with adrenal fatigue. I reviewed this information in August 2016 [#380]. This week I will share new information from Dr. Philip Rouchota’s naturopathic practice.

Philip begins by cautioning that there is not a lot of scientific research on the topic as mainstream medicine does not recognize adrenal fatigue as a real condition. This is puzzling to me because diabetes is well recognized as the pancreas’ inability to produce sufficient insulin, and hypothyroidism as the thyroid’s inability to produce sufficient thyroid hormones. Adrenal fatigue is simply the inability of the adrenal glands to produce sufficient cortisol, with predictable signs and symptoms.

There is a lab test for it, called Adrenal Stress Index, but this is costly so practitioners usually rely on clinical presentation including: high level of stress, extreme fatigue, afternoon crash, awake feeling unrested, and overuse of caffeine.

Mental health issues like depression, anxiety and insomnia frequently occur along with AF. Dr. Rouchota treats these first, which usually clear in 3 months, before addressing the remaining fatigue. AF is slow to resolve, often taking 4-6 months to see any improvement.

The treatment for AF is the same for all stages and the goal is the same – to normalize cortisol production. Dr. Rouchota’s protocol includes:
• Mediterranean diet
• Meditation breathing – shown in studies to normalize cortisol and reduce anxiety
• A good multi or B complex
• Adrenal glandular concentrate
• Cordyceps mushroom extract
• Adaptogen herbs such as Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Astragalus, Passionflower
• L-theanine – relieves stress and relaxes without drowsiness
• Melatonin – to ensure sufficient quality sleep

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

380 Adrenal Fatigue [1 August 2016]

Following four weeks on thyroid health, I want to review another important endocrine gland – the adrenals. I wrote about adrenal fatigue in March 2015, #311 & #312. Adrenal fatigue is one of the possible causes for low thyroid function, as elevated cortisol (from stressed adrenals) inhibits the conversion of T4 to T3.

Suspect you have adrenal fatigue if you:
• run out of energy before lunch
• rely on caffeine to make it through the day
• crave sugar
• crash (brain fog, no energy) 2 hours after eating sugar
• are irritable or depressed
• have low libido (adrenals are making stress hormones instead of sex hormones).

Adrenal fatigue is a serious health issue. Chronically elevated stress hormones can cause brain inflammation which results in not only bad moods, but also worsening memory, earlier dementia, and increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

See my column #311 for the three stages of adrenal fatigue developed by Dr. Robin Berzin: 1) wired and tired; 2) stressed and tired; and 3) burned out.

In column #312 I list Dr. Berzin’s 9 step protocol to help her patients recover:
1. Eat plenty of colored vegetables, sufficient lean protein, and gluten free whole grains; avoid foods that cause inflammation and those you are sensitive to.
2. Go to bed before 11 pm to avoid a late night cortisol surge.
3. B vitamins, especially B5, B6 and B12 are essential for energy production.
4. Cool inflammation with vitamin C, curcumin and omega-3 supplements.
5. Other important nutrients include vitamin D, selenium, magnesium & zinc.
6. Drink plenty of pure water to rehydrate your cells.
7. Use adaptogenic herbs to support the adrenals like ashwagandha, and rhodiola.
8. Include relaxation (not naps) in your day and avoid high intensity workouts.
9. Reassess your definition of success to reduce stress levels in your life.

Following these 9 steps, Dr Berzin finds that most people with adrenal fatigue can recover without the need for hormone therapy.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

316 Stress & Anxiety [27 April 2015]

Stress is defined as the non-specific response to change, which often affects mental and physical health. Stress is unavoidable and some stress is in fact essential to life. Where it becomes a concern is when chronic stress keeps us in the “fight or flight” response 24/7.

Chronic stress is a factor in almost all disease – particularly physical conditions like muscle tension, pain, and fatigue, and mental or emotional conditions like depression, OCD, and anxiety. Natural health products have been formulated to manage the stress response before it causes mental or physical disease. These include ingredients like:
• Melissa (lemonbalm) – increases GABA in the brain
• Rhodiola – moderates neurotransmitter activity
• Ashwagandha – reduces the amount of cortisol needed for stress response
• L-theanine – promotes mood balance and relaxation, increases alpha brain waves
• Choline – precursor for many neurotransmitters
• Inositol – modulates serotonin activity in the brain
• 5-HTP – supports theanine in mood regulation

Anxiety is a mental health condition which is often a reaction to stress. The normal emotions of worry and fear take over our lives and lead to mental and physical symptoms. The first natural health product licensed by Health Canada specifically for anxiety includes:
• Passionflower – relieves feelings of anxiousness
• Ashwagandha – reduces stress and nervousness
• L-theanine – promotes relaxation, reduces tension & anxiety
• American ginseng – supports brain function and memory
• Holy basil – improves resistance to stress

Why let stress and anxiety take over your life when you can manage them safely and effectively with all-natural products.

Source: www.veeva.ca

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

312 Adrenal Fatigue Healing Steps [30 March 2015]

Last week we looked at the three stages of adrenal fatigue (AF) as described by Dr. Robin Berzin in an article published on MindBodyGreen.com. This week we’ll look at the 9 step protocol Berzin uses to help her patients overcome adrenal fatigue.

1. Eat plenty of colored vegetables, sufficient lean protein, and gluten free whole grains; avoid foods that cause inflammation and those you are sensitive to.
2. Go to bed before 11 pm to avoid a late night cortisol surge.
3. B vitamins, especially B5, B6 and B12 are essential for energy production.
4. Cool inflammation with vitamin C, curcumin and omega-3 supplements.
5. Other important nutrients for the adrenals include vitamin D, selenium, magnesium & zinc.
6. Drink plenty of pure water, adding trace minerals, lemon juice or sea salt to rehydrate your cells.
7. Use adaptogenic herbs to support the adrenals like licorice root, ashwagandha, and rhodiola.
8. Include relaxation times (not naps) in your day and avoid high intensity workouts [Wilson (see below) encourages “enjoyable” exercise].
9. Reassess your definition of success to reduce stress levels in your life.

Following these 9 steps, Dr Berzin finds that most people with adrenal fatigue can recover without the need for hormone therapy.

Dr. James L. Wilson provides more suggestions in his book “Adrenal Fatigue”. He explains that salt cravings (common with AF) reflect a nutritional need and unless you have high blood pressure (rare with AF) you should salt to taste. Chocolate cravings is another matter – it may indicate a magnesium deficiency but its high caffeine and theobromine content overstimulate the adrenals so is not a good magnesium source. For the same reasons avoid coffee, black tea and soda pop; green tea and most herbal teas are fine. Alcohol also aggravates adrenal fatigue and should be avoided. Wilson’s book is available from my loaning library.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

311 Stages of Adrenal Fatigue [23 March 2015]

Feel stressed, worn out, or exhausted? Can’t drag yourself out of bed in the morning? Everyday tasks require a huge effort? Rely on coffee to keep you going throughout the day? Absentminded, can’t concentrate? Can’t handle stress (“I have one nerve left and you’re getting on it!”)? People seem more irritating (you have a lower tolerance for idiots)? You may be suffering from adrenal fatigue (AF). In the foreword to Dr. James L. Wilson’s 2001 book “Adrenal Fatigue the 21st Century Stress Syndrome” Dr. Jonathan Wright claims that adrenal fatigue “is one of our most prevalent yet rarely diagnosed conditions”.

In a February 2015 article for MindBodyGreen.com called “9 Steps to Heal Adrenal Fatigue Naturally”, Dr. Robin Berzin, MD defines AF as “a disruption of your adrenal glands’ ability to make cortisol (adrenaline) in the right amounts at the right times…” Normally cortisol starts high on waking and slowly drops throughout the day to a low at night. Berzin then describes the three stages of AF and their corresponding cortisol curve.

1. Wired and Tired – high cortisol levels day and night so can’t sleep; feel jittery and can’t relax. May experience insulin resistance and abdominal fat gain.

2. Stressed & Tired – cortisol peaks early (sometimes the middle of the night so can’t get back to sleep) then drops quickly so have no energy during the day; may have a slight late afternoon or evening rise; rely on coffee to keep going.

3. Burned Out – cortisol level is low day and night; feel exhausted all the time even after sleeping; thyroid and other endocrine hormones may also be low.

Naturopathic doctors use a saliva hormone test to verify adrenal fatigue and identify the stage their patients are in. People often progress over time from Stage 1 through 2 to Stage 3. But Berzin encouragingly claims that with the right lifestyle and diet changes and the right supplements, they can work their way back through the stages to normal again.

Next week we’ll look at the 9 step protocol Berzin developed to help her patients overcome adrenal fatigue.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

134 Maca [3 Oct 2011]

A radish-like plant from the Andes Mountains of South America is growing in popularity in Europe and North America as a medicinal herb.

The root of the maca plant (Lepidium meyenii) has several medicinal properties that:
• increase energy and endurance
• relieve stress
• strengthen the immune system
• restore hormonal balance in both men and women
• enhance libido and sexual function.

Controlled clinical trials over the past 20 years have confirmed many of the nutritional and healing properties of maca. For example, athletes have been using it to improve performance, and trials have shown that maca increases energy, strength, endurance and blood oxygenation.

Maca’s other benefits appear to be hormonally facilitated. Its unique nutritional profile supports the pituitary and hypothalamus glands which control all the other endocrine glands. This explains why it benefits both men and women, easing menopausal symptoms in women, improving erectile dysfunction in men, and increasing libido in both. Maca’s (indirect) support of the adrenal glands explains how it increases athletic endurance, improves the ability to deal with stress (both physical and mental), and enhances the immune system.

Side effects of insomnia, anxiety and headaches have been reported in some people. Consult a health care practitioner before using maca if you are taking antidepressants, blood thinners, digoxin, or are diabetic. And, as always: This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

126 Thyroid Health [8 August 2011]

Following up on last week’s column on iodine, let’s look at other factors affecting thyroid health. The main function of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in your throat, is regulation of metabolism – controlling the growth and rate of function of many systems of the body. It is often called the “thermostat of the body”. The thyroid is itself controlled by the pituitary and hypothalamus glands, and influenced by the adrenals, so problems in these will also affect thyroid health and function.

The thyroid produces two main hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The liver converts the T4 to the active form T3. An imbalance occurs if too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) of these hormones are produced. The conventional treatment for hypothyroidism is to prescribe levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) in response to a TSH lab analysis (which measures T4 levels). There are two problems with this approach. First, the TSH test misses any problems in the conversion to T3 (adding a “Free T4 and Free T3 Test” improves diagnosis), and often ignores subclinical cases (where a sluggish thyroid is causing problems but falls within the “normal” range with no obvious symptoms). Secondly the synthetic drug is not identical with thyroxine; it doesn’t work as well, has more side effects, and (according to greenmedinfo.com) may even make the condition worse by competing with your own thyroxine for receptor sites. (This is another example of the patent laws undermining our health – there is a financial disincentive to produce a bioidentical thyroxine, which would be more effective and much safer!)

Other factors affecting thyroid health include:

• Adrenal fatigue – chronic stress elevates cortisol levels which lowers thyroid hormone production (just when you actually need more!)
• Gluten, soy and other food allergies cause antibodies to attack the thyroid
• Deficiencies in iodine or the amino acid tyrosine may limit thyroid function
• The thyroid is particularly susceptible to chemical toxins including bromine, chlorine, fluorine (fluoride), PFOA, perchlorate, and triclosan
• Conversion of T4 to the active form T3 requires adequate selenium, Omega 3 EFAs and zinc

There are 69 signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism listed on DrLowe.com. Here are a few of the most common:

• fatigue, lethargy and brain fog; 
• weight gain; 
• hair loss; 
• dry skin, eyes and mucous membranes; 
• feeling unusually cold; 
• excessive muscle tension and trigger points. 

One home test is to measure basal body temperature using a special thermometer – temperatures below 36.5 C (97.6 F) may indicate low thyroid function.

Some ideas for naturally improving thyroid function:

• Eat a nutritious diet with as much raw organic vegetables as possible
• Eat iodine rich kelp or supplement with iodine
• Eat fish regularly or supplement with Omega 3 EFA
• Optimize your vitamin D levels with sunlight and supplementation
• Take a multi vitamin-mineral with zinc and selenium
• Avoid soy and any foods to which you are sensitive
• Minimize exposure to toxins – avoid fluoride; use stainless steel cookware; filter drinking, cooking and bathing water; use an air purifier in your home
• Detoxify your body with chlorella or a herbal detox program; use a sauna
• Manage stress to avoid excess adrenaline and cortisol
• Exercise

Sources: mercola.com and greenmedinfo.com. A more technical source of information on current thyroid research is DrLowe.com.

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

074 Depression [3 August 2010]

Depression is a debilitating condition that is very widespread in North America. A group of anti-depressant drugs called SSRIs are some of the most popularly prescribed medications in the United States and Canada. Recent research, however, is questioning both their safety and effectiveness.

A recent (2008) meta-analysis looked at over 50 clinical trials and concluded that the difference in improvement between anti-depressants and a placebo was not clinically significant, with the possible exception of the most severely depressed. And each of these drugs comes with a long list of serious side effects including (to name a few) insomnia, weight gain, fatigue, gastro-intestinal bleeding, Parkinson’s, and an increase in violent or suicidal behavior.

Fortunately there are safer and more effective natural solutions. The following factors need to be addressed with depression:

• Adrenal, thyroid and pituitary glands need to be supported and restored to normal function;
• Omega 3 EFAs from fish oil (especially DHA) are essential for rebuilding the nerve cell membranes so neurotransmitters can function effectively;
• Multi vitamin and mineral supplementation to reverse possible vitamin and trace mineral deficiencies;
• L-tryptophan and St. John’s Wort are safe and effective temporary measures to increase serotonin levels while the glands are being restored;
• Daily exercise is a simple way to boost serotonin levels.

People suffering from depression experience hopelessness and despair. I’m pleased to tell them there is hope, and that with a little effort the sun can shine once again in their life.

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

044 CHRONIC STRESS [4 January 2010]

Everyone has some stress in their life. And in moderate levels, stress can be beneficial (finishing my Eagle column by the deadline every week comes to mind). Chronic stress however can be detrimental to ones health. The difference is that chronic stress never lets up to give the body a chance to clear the stress hormones from your system.

When faced with a stressful situation the adrenal glands produce hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol to help us deal with it. When the situation is past, the hormones levels slowly return to normal. If you are stressed all day at work, drive home through rush hour traffic, then have to deal with active toddlers or surly teens, normal never happens.

One of the side effects of chronic stress is weight gain. The stress hormones prevent the release of fatty acids from fat cells and trigger fat storage instead. Stress not only drives you up the wall, it makes you fat! And if you don’t correct the stress hormone levels, dieting and exercise will not be effective.

Another effect of chronic stress is insomnia. When we are loaded with stress hormones it becomes very difficult to get to and stay asleep. Stress is a contributing factor in heart disease, indigestion, back pain, depression and many other health problems. And over a long period, chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue or hypoadrenia, with its own set of health problems (a good topic for a future column).

So what can we do to reduce our stress hormones? Drugs and alcohol are not the best solution. Fortunately there are natural products proven to be effective in reducing not only the feelings of stress but also the harmful effects of stress within the body.

The herbs Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and Valerian help support the adrenals, promote relaxation, and may aid the body in reducing the stress hormones. Some herbal products have all these and more in one formula. Exercise is another way to allow the stress hormones to normalize (take a long walk to calm down or use a punching bag to vent your frustrations).

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

039 Rhodiola rosea [23 Nov 2009]

Rhodiola is a medicinal herb that is growing in popularity in North America but has centuries of traditional use in Siberia, Scandinavia and Iceland, from the Vikings to KGB agents and modern Russian athletes. There is even an old saying in Siberia that “those who drink Rhodiola tea will live more than 100 years”. While science has not yet proven this claim, modern research is finding very interesting properties for this herb.

First, Rhodiola is an adaptogen, meaning that it helps the body to deal with stress by balancing hormones and neurotransmitters. It is particularly supportive of the adrenal glands and has been shown to increase production of the relaxing neurotransmitter serotonin and the excitatory neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. At the same time, it reduces the levels of cortisol which increases muscle breakdown.

Secondly, Rhodiola can increase energy and endurance. It has been clinically shown to increase ATP and creatine phosphate, both energy sources for muscles. Animal studies showed more efficient use of glycogen stores under prolonged exercise.

Thirdly, Rhodiola helps with mental performance under conditions of fatigue and stress. A double blind study in Armenia of 56 physicians on two weeks of night duty found those using Rhodiola experienced 50% less mental fatigue. Another Russian double blind study of 40 medical students during exam time found the Rhodiola users reported less mental fatigue and actually scored 8% higher in their exams.

In addition to promoting longevity, reducing stress, increasing energy, reducing fatigue, and increasing mental alertness, Rhodiola is also used to improve sleep, improve mild depression, enhance sexual function in both men and women, and prevent high altitude sickness.

Another unique property of Rhodiola among adaptogens is the rapidity of its effect. Users may notice benefits as early as the first dose, compared with several weeks for other adaptogens such as Siberian ginseng.

Rhodiola has an exceptionally low toxicity. No serious adverse effects have been reported in clinical trials. Safety of Rhodiola for pregnant or breastfeeding women has not been established. People with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are advised to use it with caution because of its stimulating effects. It may cause drowsiness in people taking SSRIs and SNRIs; and should not be used by people taking MAOIs.

Of the 200 species of Rhodiola, only R. rosea is known to have the active phytochemicals rosavin, rosin and rosarin. Best results have been found with 100-300 mg of a 3% standardized extract taken prior to periods of activity.

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.