Have you heard about the adrenal glands? Oh my goodness, do these guys take a beating – especially with our modern lifestyle! Stress from diet, the environment, work and parenting, and other life responsibilities can lead to a chronic state of adrenal firing. We need to support this system well, and we have all the tips and tools for you right here!

ADRENALS AT A GLANCE

• Small glands that sit just above the kidneys
• Responsible for the ‘fight or flight' response
• Get chronically turned on by constant stress and can cause serious health issues
• Affect other hormones including thyroid, progesterone, and estrogen

The adrenal glands are small organs that sit on top of the kidneys. They maintain and boost our energy, kind of like a car shifting into first, second, and third gear as we go about our day. They also help our body survive during times of stress. Since many of us live in a state of constant stress, they wear down quickly.

Our adrenal glands aren't meant to always be firing. They are there to jump in when needed and not be running the whole show. But excessive caffeine, lack of sleep, emotional stress, demanding schedules, hormonal imbalance, diet, alcohol abuse, and always pushing ourselves to the max can damage the adrenals to cause them to fatigue. This pushes us into a ‘survival mode' both physically and emotionally.

ADRENAL FATIGUE Do you ever feel crazy because technically you're “healthy” and “fine,” but you always feel drained and depleted?

Do you struggle to recover after a sickness, a stressful event, or even a few late nights?

Do you start your day and run out of gas before you even begin, only to get energetic late at night and repeat the cycle all over again?

Have you tried everything to help your hormones, blood sugar levels, cravings, and weight but all the things people tell you aren't working?

There may be two tiny little glands in your body that need some love. Your adrenals.

Adrenal glands play a huge role in stress response. Here's how it works:

• Your brain registers a threat, whether emotional, mental or physical.
• The adrenal medulla releases cortisol and adrenaline hormones to help you react to the threat (the fight-or-flight response), rushing blood to your brain, heart and muscles.
• The adrenal cortex then releases corticosteroids to dampen processes like digestion, immune system response and other functions not necessary for immediate survival.

Our adrenal glands aren't meant to always be firing. They are there to jump in when needed and not be running the whole show. But excessive caffeine, lack of sleep, emotional stress, demanding schedules, hormonal imbalance, diet, alcohol abuse, and always pushing ourselves to the max can damage the adrenals to cause them to fatigue. This pushes us into a ‘survival mode' both physically and emotionally.

ADRENAL SUPPORTING OILS & SUPPLEMENTS Whether you are feeling the effects of adrenal fatigue and need some comfort or you are looking for ways to daily support this crucial system, we have some great options from Young Living!

SUPPLEMENTS:

• CortiStop: CortiStop is designed to address the way women's bodies react to the cortisol produced when under stress. CortiStop is an herb and essential oil supplement that helps to naturally balance the stress response by calming the body and lowering cortisol levels. As cortisol declines, strength and energy return, and the body moves back to a state of equilibrium.
• EndoGize: EndoGize is a daily women's hormone support supplement powered by essential oils, minerals, and herbs, including ashwagandha root – a well known herb for hormone balance and stress reduction. EndoGize also contains DHEA, a hormone precursor for estrogen and testosterone, DHEA is naturally made in the body, but levels decline as we age. These ingredients work synergistically to create a formula that supports a healthy endocrine system for women.
• Super B: B vitamins are crucial for our adrenal glands to function properly, so this supplement is a must!! Super B is a comprehensive B vitamin complex containing all eight essential, energy-boosting B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12) as well as Orgen-FA, a natural folate source derived from lemon peels, and methylcobalamin, a more bioavailable source of B12. Combined with Nutmeg essential oil and bioavailable chelated minerals such as magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc, Super B helps support energy, health and overall vitality!
• Mineral Essence: Minerals are an essential component of every part of our health and are lacking in our diet. Our adrenals run off of minerals, so adding them for adrenal support is critical. Mineral Essence provides essential ionic minerals that your body can quickly and fully absorb for their maximum benefit.
• NingXia Red: NingXia Red is a powerful antioxidant supplement drink made from wolfberry puree, blueberry, plum, cherry, aronia, and pomegranate juices, grape seed extract, Yuzu, Tangerine, Lemon and Orange essential oils, stevia and pure vanilla extract for flavor. It supports energy levels, immune and hormone health, and is the highest known protection against the dangerous superoxide free radicals. NingXia is a daily must for healthy hormones!

ESSENTIAL OILS:

• Nutmeg: If there were one oil you could use to support your adrenal system (the stress system!) it would be Nutmeg. This oil is high in the constituents sabinene, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, making it a wonderful option to support the digestive system, to protect the liver, to help maintain healthy circulation and to provide the adrenals with the support they need on a daily basis.
• En-R-Gee: So many people are in survival mode. Hormones are out of whack and emotions are bottled up. Despite caring for those around them, they feel isolated. En-R-Gee can help us physically restore and nourish our adrenal system, release the emotion of isolation, and help instill a sense of connectedness.
• EndoFlex: EndoFlex is a great oil for overall endocrine system support. Each essential oil in the EndoFlex blend plays a specific role for supporting the endocrine system well!

DIY ADRENAL LOVE SERUM

• Apply over the lower back every morning and before bed each evening!
• 4 oz glass dropper bottle
• Organic castor oil
• 25 drops Nutmeg
• 20 drops Clove
• 20 drops Frankincense
• 20 drops Rosemary
• You can use any carrier oil, but castor oil is specifically chosen as the fatty acids in castor oil allow the essential oils to be easily absorbed through the skin. High quality, cold-pressed castor oil can help your body to detoxify and improve circulation.

For more on hormone support, see the related resources linked below! Also check out one of our favorite supplement books, the Supplement Field Guide by Dr. Ashley H. Cribb!