Dr. Christianson here to talk about adrenal fatigue and the top myths associated with it. Do you tend to gain weight easily? Ever feel weak, tired, stressed, anxious, or dizzy? Some would say you have adrenal fatigue.
Let’s talk a bit more about that, starting with the basic myths that I will dispel for you today:
1. Adrenal glands get fatigued
2. Your adrenals need lots of pills
3. You are stuck with adrenal stress
Today, people talk freely about their adrenal glands feeling shot, or fatigued, and there is even a growing industry of supplements called adrenal tonics.
Meanwhile, though, conventional doctors claim that there is no such thing as adrenal fatigue1. Who is right? And most importantly, how can you thrive given the stress of modern life?
The adrenal glands are two small lumps of tissue on top of our kidneys. They produce cortisol and other various hormones, which control our energy, weight, and stress response.
There are situations in which these glands stop working, the main example being adrenal insufficiency, also called Addison’s disease.
Addison’s affects about 1 person per 100,000 and is when the immune system destroys the adrenal glands.2
Those who believe in adrenal fatigue say it is a mild version of adrenal insufficiency caused by stress.