I have adrenal fatigue and 2 years ago went into hospital with nervous exhaustion. It was amazing what one night of good sleep with a sleeping pill made me feel. so much better. However, today my adrenal glands are still producing low levels of cortisol (saliva test result) in spite of having been on adrenal tissue supplements etc for over a year. My guess is that it is to do with lack of sleep. I keep waking several times during the night which i know will be a major stressor on the adrenals. I have been off and on sleeping pills (zopiclone) over the period in order to avoid getting too addicted and in between have taken natural remedies. Is there anything i can take which can keep me asleep for longer ? The other question is regarding cardio. I do 25-30 minutes on a cross trainer three times a week. is this bad for me ? If it is then i suppose it would be ok to do some weight training instead ?My current supplement protocol is: Allergy research's Adrenal Cortex, Biotic's Mg Zyme, B6 Phosphate, ADB5 Plus and Nutri Clear. The latter i am taking for my liver as i did have an imbalance in phase 1 and phase 11 which is now much better. In fact, whereas in the past i had a coating down the left hnd side of my tongue ( a sign of liver stress) (not candida which would be a coating over the top of the tongue, ithe coating has now gone Nick from London, England.
I can't tell you if the cross trainer you are doing is good or bad for you...It would be good if you are triggering "Aerobic Metabolism" but so many people do aerobic exercise at too high an intensity level that it triggers "Anaerobic Metabolism" which is stress producing.
Read or listen to my Blog from last week, because I spoke about that specific issus....there is more info about proper training for your current health condition in my book, To Burn or Not to Burn, Fat is the Question.
As far as can't stay asleep...that is an obvious Blood Sugar problem, which means you are still over taxing your adrenals becuase you are NOT doing a good job of keeping your blood sugar stable. YOu will NEVER restore your adrenals if you CAN"T keep your blood sugar stable. Read the "Healthy Steps (IRS) Protocol...it will walk you through the Do's and Don'ts
Another reason your adrenals have't recovered is because what you told me you are taking don't do anything to help rekindle the whole brain-adrenal connection, which is called the HPA-axis. Most people with adrenal exhaustion of burnt out the brain wiring, which is why just nourishing the adrenals with glandulars, (cortex) doesn't get you there and one of the biggest reasons "Adrenal Fuel" is formulated the way it is...it is, all the adaptogenic herbs help support that brain-adrenal connection.
Nic, I would first make sure your training (heart rate) is NO more than 70% of your maximum heart rate...for the whole time you train. Max heart rate is (subtract your age from 220). second, make sure you are eating enough protein and good fats for breakfast, lunch and dinner...you may want to add one of our NatraLean bars or half of one an hour or so before bed to help with that...but the waking up part is such a blood sugar sign....it's a great "Tell"
thanks re your suggestion that i order Natralean bars to help balance my blood sugar levels...tried to order it but your website doesnt allow products to be sent to countries other than USA or Puerto Rico. I want it to be sent to UK
As you explain, if i have adrenal fatigue and i want to do exercise then i should try to limit my heart rate at about 70% of max. However, is it ok, for example, to go on a stationary bicycle for say, 45 minutes in order to achieve the fat burn and keep the heart rate at max 70% ?? In other words, is exercising for a long time but at 70% a negative for the adrenals ? I am very keen to lose excess weight...
the length of time isn't the problem...ITS the Intensity of the workout that is the critical component.
the more closely you are at 70% of your heart rate the more intense it is....when you keep your heart rate at 50-60% of your heart rate is less stress producing....so when you are trying to overcome adrenal fatigue and are concerned with weight....you don't want to be doing any intense working out...you will only further tax your already adrenal glands.
There is more info on the proper intensity to workout in my book, "To Burn or Not to Burn, Fat is the Question."
Hope that helps, and don't start exerting yourself too intensly until you've had a chance to strengthen your adrenal glands.
Hi...your last message was rather confusing as you mention that i shouldnt be training nearer 70%. I think you meant i shouldnt be training at 80-85% of max as you have, in the past, suggested i should train at 70% of max heart rate so as not to make it too intensive...
Sorry if I created more confusion....the more intense you workout the harder and more stressful it is on the body and the more the body depends on using carbs for energy instead of stored body fat.
on the other hand the low to moderate intensity of the workout ... may be less stress producing and allow the body to burn stored body fat for energy.
there is more of this information in "To Burn or Not to Burn, Fat is the Question."
