The adrenal glands are called into action every moment in a stressful situation. Once the stress is relieved, the adrenal glands return to normal function.  However, in our modern day living, it seems there is a never ending day of stress. Stressful situations are any one of those conditions that cause us to become stressed out. It can be worry over financial matters, loss of a job, loss of a loved one, trying to squeeze 24 hours into an 8-hour day, running from one appointment to another, and flying or driving in traffic that seems to be endless.

Any condition that upsets us to the point where we become nauseated, irritable, experience sweaty palms, or trickles of sweat running down our backs – all of these conditions cause our adrenals to jump into overdrive. Going back to the day of the caveman, the adrenals helped the caveman capture their meals or to run away from an animal that tried to make the caveman its meal. It’s the old fight or flight situation. Either you have the power to fight for your meal or you have the power to flee from being the animal’s meal. Today we have nonstop constant stress which depletes the adrenals.

Some of the symptoms associated with adrenal insufficiency are, chronic fatigue and exhaustion, unfounded fears, excessive worry, crying over nothing, irritable, angry, making mountains out of molehills and antisocial behavior, avoiding conflicts at all costs and experiencing upper respiratory conditions and allergies. Many people who experience adrenal insufficiency crave salt.  If you find yourself doing so it’s a good sign that your adrenals need nutritional support to improve its structure and function.

The nutrients that are most required are vitamin C, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, DHEA, pregnenolone, and possibly even adrenal extract similar to those who take a thyroid extract. Two herbs that support adrenal function are licorice root extract and rehmannia. Depending on the degree of exhaustion it may take one to six months to feel like a human being again.