Gary, I would like your opinion about Adrenal Exhaustion / Fatigue

"Gary,

I would like your opinion about Adrenal Exhaustion / Fatigue. I note you’ve mentioned the term in previous articles and yet the medical fraternity tell me there is no such thing and “everyone gets tired”.

In 2005 I went from being in great shape, having just walked my 3rd Marathon, to barely being able to get out of bed. I lost the energy to motivate myself to maintain a healthy diet or exercise. I can only describe it as having an empty “tank”. The medical profession could offer no solution so after a year I sought alternative help and was told I had Adrenal Fatigue. Through diet, sleep and adrenal support supplements, I can improve my energy levels but nowhere close to where I was in 2005.

I love tramping but find I am extremely tired for days afterwards. High aerobic or weight bearing exercise is a real struggle. Will this ever go away and why does the medical profession deny it exists when there are hundreds of sufferers around the world if you believe what you read on the Internet?

I’d also like advice on what sort of food would help me when tramping"

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Gary:

Fifty years ago every doctor knew of adrenal fatigue which was successfully treated with glandular extracts and herbs.  Nowadays, there is no reference to adrenal fatigue in the medical text books, the last doctors with any training in the condition have long ago retired and not even the medical professors of today know of the condition.  

I can only speculate as to what happened and here goes:

In 1950, one of the most significant advances in medicine happened with the synthesis of Prednisone. This powerful anti-inflammatory drug spawned a multi-million dollar pharmaceutical and medical industry for treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Addison's disease, and lupus.  Addison's is the end-stage of adrenal fatigue (Its not really and autoimmune disease, by the way).  Herbs and glandular extracts can not be patented, so there's no great commercial value in promoting them.  On the other hand, there are fortunes to be made with a patented drug, especially when it can be positioned to corner the market.  Prednisone must be close to the being the most profitable drug of all time.

So, out went the herbs and glandulars and in came the patented drug; Predinisone.  At the same time the idea of the adrenal glands gradually failing was replaced by - well - nothing!  As far as medicine was concerned, you either had healthy adrenals or non-functioning ones - nothing in-between.  The medical text books of today reflect this change of opinion and this is what modern doctors are taught.  As the older doctors retired, all knowledge of adrenal fatigue went with them.  The changing of the guard - the cleansing of knowledge is now complete.  Astonishing when you think about it!

Meanwhile, as many as 80% of adults in modern society have signs of adrenal fatigue.  Adrenal fatigue is at the heart of the modern epidemic of thyroid problems.

The symptoms you are describing are consistent with adrenal fatigue.  Medical treatment with steroids, such as Prednisone, is generally not a good idea.  Externally introduced steroids risks causing the already under-functioning adrenal glands to further shut down.  Even just a matter of weeks of steroid use can bring about complete adrenal shut-down (Addison's) and consequence permanent dependence on steroids.  

Good for the pharmaceutical industry and you'll keep a whole lot of doctor's in employment; but very bad for you!

In cases of suspected adrenal fatigue, the best course of action is to seek the assistance of a health professional who is trained in its treatment with herbs, adrenal extracts and other nutrients.  It is also necessary to identify causes of adrenal stress and exclude or mitigate them.  Stressors include excessive exercise, heat, cold, infection, injury and drugs.  Work, home and relationship problems can be debilitating.  Commuting can be a huge drain.  Even joyous occasions like getting married can exhaust the adrenals!

Most people will show a good response to therapy within three months.  More ingrained and severe cases may take several months to show a lasting improvement and supporting therapy may be need to be ongoing.

Tramping can be restorative of the adrenals.  It can also be exhausting.  With the degree of adrenal fatigue symptoms that you are describing, I would follow the rule that all hikes be of a duration and difficulty that ensures the trips are exhilarating rather than exhausting.  No to-the-death Polar expeditions please!  Not for now anyway.  Not until you are absolutely certain that recovery is complete.  That may take several years.

Nutrition is most important with adrenal fatigue.  In addition to the herbs and other supplements that your health professional may prescribe, I recommend that you have a scoop of my Super Smoothie formula each day.  This supplies the proteins and nutrients that are essential for healthy glandular function. 

When hiking, take a plastic bag with sufficient servings of Super Smoothie powder for the duration, plus a protein shaker.  Talk about light weight!  Most NZ alpine streams are safe to drink from.  Fill up your shaker with clean water and a generous serving of Super Smoothie, shake it up and have a delicious guzzle.  This is a refreshing addition to the usual tramping fare of scroggin, crackers and cheese.  If you are sweating heavily, carry a small bottle of pink Himalayan Salt and take a few pinches washed down with water now and then.  Its a good idea to have refreshment breaks at least every few hours of the active day.  The harder the hike the closer the refreshment breaks.

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About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

A health warning about the use of glucocorticoids, including asthma medication

In a recent newsletter, sports medicine expert, Dr Gabe Mirkin, discussed findings of a study which found unusually low bone densities in professional cyclists.  It is now his opinion that this may be due to the abuse of drugs such as prednisone, cortisone and asthma medication (glucocorticoids).  (I have copied the section of Dr Mirkin's article and a link to his site at the end of this article).

While these drugs may enhance performance, the down-side is calcium is driven out of the bones and into the circulation, including soft tissues.  This is seen in a hair tissue mineral analysis as elevated calcium and on a bioelectric impedence analysis as low bone mass (This is measured using the Salter 9106 Scales).

My main concern is for the hundreds of thousands of ordinary New Zealanders who are unwittingly taking these steroids and not aware of the serious long term damage.  Prednisone and cortisone are without doubt the most harmful in terms of speed; but "mild" versions, including "preventer" asthma medication, causes untold damage to health, much of which may not be apparent until decades later.  The damage I see includes:

• Osteoporosis.  Sometimes apparent less than 30 years of age.
• Joint arthritis.  Some cases requiring joint replacement.  Some cases less than 30 years age.
• Constant bruising.
• Constant muscle tears sprains and strains.
• Fragile, thin skin.
• Premature ageing.
• Poor healing.
• Extreme fatigue, including "brain fog".
• Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia.
• Cardiovascular disease due to calcium deposition in the blood vessels.
• Digestive disorders.
• Weight gain.
• Fluid retention, lymphoedema.
• Emotional fragility, including depression.

There are solutions which include careful weaning of a person off these steroids.  Cortisone is produced by the adrenal cortex.  Incidentally, the adrenals produce more than 90 different steroidal hormones.  It is very arrogant for us to believe that we can do better than these amazing glands by bombing the body with synthetic variants.  Weaning a person off steroids focuses on restoring healthy adrenal function.

For detailed information about adrenal function, go to www.adrenalfatigue.co.nz and then get hold of me if you need help.  I am a registered practitioner with this organisation.

Dr Mirkin's article and website link are below...

What to do if diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

If you have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, what can you do to support medical treatment to ensure that further flare-ups are minimised and less frequent and consquent damage to the nervous system is kept to a minimum?

I have produced the following video that runs through the main things that you can do. These focus on:

• Establishing your vitamin D status and improving levels to optimum
• Establishing your Mineral status including any toxic effects from heavy metals
• Optimum nutrition, including natural supplements

Whatever you decide, it is important to consult your medical specialist and heed the advice given. Rest assured that the advice given here should not in any way work against your medical care - in fact it should be highly complementary.

Possible factors for developing MS may be from some kind of combination of these:

More...

• Chronic stress
• Diet that is low in the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K)
• Exposure at some time in the past to toxins such as heavy metals
• A diet that is low in minerals
• Low in the B group of vitamins
• Low vitamin D from lack of sunlight
• A viral infection at some time in the past such as shingles

Triggers of an acute flare-up may possibly be factors like an unusual period of stress, being stuck in a cold, sunless place for an extended period of time, poor sleep, sickness and a period of poor eating. Again, we are describing a combination of seemingly unrelated factors.

This short video explains what MS is:

"A number of environmental factors are involved in the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). One finding that has been known since the early 20th century is that there is a latitudinal dependence of MS prevalence, with MS prevalence increasing very strongly with increasing latitude. This has been linked primarily to solar UVB through the production of vitamin D, and, to a lesser extent, increased consumption of dietary fat with latitude. In addition, viral infections have been found associated with development of MS. The mechanisms whereby vitamin D reduces the risk of MS are now fairly well understood. Both dietary changes and UVB/vitamin D therapy appear to be useful in treating MS. It is estimated that if all Americans had the UVB/vitamin D status of those living in southern U.S. states, the numbers of those with MS in the U.S. would be 200,000, rather than 400,000. "

Reference: Sunarc.org

Chronic Pain Syndromes

"Dear Gary,
I was sorry I missed hearing you speak... I have had polymyalgia for 2 years and am on Prednisone 11mg daily, but it is barely keeping it under control and I will probably have to increase it. Can you please send some information that might help?"
"M"
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Gary Moller comments:
I have been dealing with chronic pain syndromes for the last 30 years. These conditions present in various forms including polymyalgia, RSD, RSI and fibromyalgia.

These are characterised by disabling painful and inflamed muscles, tendons and joints that do not readily resolve despite medications, remedial exercise or rest. An episode of ill health or an injury might have been the precurser for the condition that may continues on with a life of its own.

These aliments are more common in women than men. There would appear to be an association in some cases with menopause. There are no known cures as such - just mangement and it runs its course, be that months or even years. I have been taking a renewed interest in these conditions, partly because I have had so many inquiries about them lately.

It is still early days; but I am highly suspiscious of two factors at play which, if properly dealt with, may asssist a healthy resolution.

Vitamin D deficiencyVitamin D has a growing list of health benefits, and "D" deficiency is associated with muscle and joint pain as well as immune system dysfunction. The people commonly afflicted by fibromyalgia and similar conditions tend to be office workers, women in their 50's and others who may have gone for long periods of deprivation of sunlight. An episode of illness, including hospitalisation sees to that.

Recent investigations of clients with "myalgic" conditions have returned positive blood test results for serious vitamin D deficiency. All that must be seen now is what happens over a year or so with deliberate boosting of vitamin D levels.

Mineral and vitamin DeficienciesMuscles and circulation do not function properly if minerals, especially magnesium and calcium are deficient. From work with athletes, I am aware of how common this health problem is and how easily a person can become deficient. Poor circulation, fluctuating blood pressure, aching muscles and joints eventuate. This may be accentuated by deficiencies in vitamins, the B Group in particular. It is too early to tell, but supplemetning with vitamins and minerals along with boositing vitamin D levels may be of benefit as would adding omega 3 oils like Evening primrose, flax seed or fish oil to the diet.


Menopause
If the sufferer is a woman 50 years old or so, strategies to alleviate menopausal symptoms is an obvious action.

What about exercise?
Exercise, other than gentle and preferably done in a pool is of little benefit if the body's anabolic processes are faulty. Attention to diet, vitamin D levels and some supplementation will eventually have the body in a position to build its strength and vitality in response to exercise.

With all good things, these natural approaches require time and patience - several months or more for any lasting benefits to show. These "healthy measures" are complementary to medical treatment and which one should continue and be subject to ongoing review.

Prednisone and other medicines
Should you keep taking Predisone or any other prescribed medicines for chronic pain syndromes? The answer is "Yes!" if you already are. Some medicines like Prednisone, especially if you have been taking a lot of it for more than a few months, should never be stopped suddenly. If you are wanting to reduce your medication, get started by getting on a regime of vitamin and mineral supplementation, get your vitamin D levels measured via your doctor, take measures to boost your "D" if needed and give these time to take effect - then talk to your doctor about the possibility of a gradual cessation.

Discuss with your doctor before starting.