Foods for Healthy Adrenal Glands
Your adrenal glands are vital to regulating your stress levels and helping you to overcome infection. They work in a complex manner with the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. There are many things you can do to support your adrenal glands, including eating certain healthy foods and avoiding foods with a high glycemic index.
Function
The adrenal glands are two glands located next to the kidneys. They have two parts: the cortex and medulla. The cortex produces cortisol, an important hormone that regulates the inflammation response among other functions. The medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, the "fight or flight" hormones.
Features
According to naturopathic and Chinese medicine (Reference 1), the adrenal glands can be overtaxed, especially from a modern lifestyle. We may drink coffee at our desk and then feel stress about losing our job. The coffee, mixed with the stressful thoughts, causes your adrenal glands to release hormones that will trigger the "fight or flight" response. The adrenal glands may also release cortisol and corticosterone, which can affect the immune system.
Considerations
According to Dr. Todd Nippoldt in an article on the Mayo Clinic website, the idea of adrenal fatigue has not yet been proven by conventional allopathic medicine. He notes that there is not yet enough evidence to prove that the symptoms assigned to the diagnosis are actually caused by adrenal fatigue, and it is possible that another diagnosis, such as depression or fibromyalgia, may go undetected.
Foods
A whole-foods diet is the recommended cure for adrenal fatigue. Cut back on caffeine, sugar and refined flour. Eat an early breakfast high in protein, such as eggs or peanut butter on grain toast. Try to eat every five hours. Eat 30 percent to 40 percent whole grains, 30 to 40 percent vegetables, 10 to 20 percent animal foods, 10 to 15 percent beans, seeds and nuts, and 5 to 10 percent fruits, according to John G. Conner, a master acupuncturist.
Potassium
Potassium is an important mineral for healthy adrenal glands. One of the adrenal glands' functions is to regulate sodium in the urine. The balance of potassium and sodium in your body is important. The typical American diet is high in sodium, so eating foods high in potassium can help. Foods high in potassium include red meat, cold-water fish, milk, yogurt and vegetables such as broccoli, winter squash, potatoes and peas.
Tags: adrenal glands, adrenal fatigue, adrenal glands, fight flight, Foods Healthy