Adrenal fatigue is no joke. It can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. But a targeted approach to supporting and healing adrenal fatigue can be very helpful, and this delicious Adrenal Cocktail recipe can help!
Dragging in the morning? Having trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the night? Feeling hangry all the time? Your adrenals may need a little love.
What does the adrenal gland do?
You actually have two of these small glands, located on top of your kidneys. They are responsible for creating important hormones, including your sex hormones and cortisol, as well as adrenaline.
The adrenal glands secrete adrenaline in moments of stress. This is when fight or flight kicks in. (Learn more about managing your stress response here.)
They are also responsible for producing hormones that regulate blood pressure, metabolism, and even the immune system. Those little glands are pretty important.
Is adrenal fatigue real?
That depends on who you ask. Many official organizations do not recognize adrenal fatigue as a real condition.
However, there is no doubt that the adrenal glands can malfunction. The best way to get a snapshot of how your adrenal glands are functioning is to request a DUTCH hormone panel from your doctor.
The DUTCH hormone panel is a urine test that measures cortisol levels and sex hormones at certain times of day at a specific point in your menstrual cycle. Abnormal cortisol levels may be an indication that your adrenal glands are not functioning well.
For instance, you may find that your cortisol levels are low in the morning and high in the evening, a common indication of adrenal fatigue. This is why when you’re suffering from adrenal burnout, you may be tired in the mornings but get a sudden burst of energy in the evenings or have trouble sleeping.
What are the symptoms of adrenal burnout?
Whether or not adrenal fatigue is officially recognized, there are certain tell-tale signs your adrenals are struggling.
- fatigue
- cravings for sweet or salty foods
- trouble falling or staying asleep
- trouble waking in the morning
- hair loss
- unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- blood sugar instability
- mood swings
What does an adrenal crash feel like?
If you’re experiencing the above symptoms and ignore them, you may set yourself up for an adrenal crash.
During the initial stages of adrenal fatigue, your adrenal glands are pumping out cortisol to keep up with the demands of keeping your body functioning. Eventually, they can become so depleted, they crash.
An adrenal crash can include severe anxiety, fatigue so strong you can barely function, and an inability to think straight or even manage common and minor stressors.
When the adrenal glands reach burnout, your immune system, brain function, and organs suffer. But you can show your adrenal glands some love before things get to that point.
What supplements help adrenal fatigue?
In the past, we’ve discussed lots of ways to protect and heal your adrenal glands. Here are a few of our favorites.
Adaptogenic herbs
We love adaptogenic herbs for their ability to support the body, whether it needs a boost of energy or a dose of calm.
Some of our favorites include rhodiola, ashwagandha, astragalus, holy basil, and medicinal mushrooms. Find a full list of adaptogens, including best usage practices, here. You can also learn to craft your own adaptogenic medicine here.
Magnesium
The right type of magnesium can also help to support the adrenal glands. Use a special formulation like this for nighttime relaxation and this one for daytime energy production. (You’ll find our favorite energy-promoting magnesium in this adrenal cocktail recipe!) Learn more about the types of magnesium here.
Vitamin C
The adrenal glands use up lots of vitamin C, particularly when they over-stressed. Although whole foods sources of vitamin C is best to maintain optimal levels, you need a synthesized form to bring your levels up to par. We like sodium ascorbate, which you can take daily to bowel tolerance.
Read about how to do vitamin C “flushing” here to really infuse your body with vitamin C. Get our favorite vitamin C here.
Diet can also help with adrenal fatigue.
What is the adrenal diet?
Key nutrients for supporting your adrenal glands- and how this delicious Adrenal Cocktail recipe can help
While there is no one diet that works best for everyone, there are some key changes you can make to your diet to support your adrenal glands and get to feeling better.
Foods to eliminate:
- refined sugars
- gluten
- processed junk foods with additives like MSG, hydrogenated oils, and artificial flavors and sweeteners
- reduce or eliminate dairy and grains to see how you feel
Nutrients to increase:
- good fats– support hormone production and healthy energy levels
- protein– one of the building blocks of healthy hormones
- vitamin C– critical for adrenal function; becomes depleted during times of stress and cortisol production
- electrolytes, particularly potassium and sodium- replenish the adrenal glands; imbalance of these two minerals will lead to adrenal dysfunction.
(You’ll find similar nutrients in my DIY Hormone Support Supplement. Give it a try here!)
How this Adrenal Cocktail recipe can help
With the above nutritional needs in mind, let’s break down the nutrients you’ll find in our (tastiest ever) Adrenal Cocktail recipe.
Adrenal Cocktail recipe deets
OJ– a delicious source of vitamin C, which helps to ensure that the added minerals get utilized by the liver in order to nourish the adrenal glands. Use organic or fresh-pressed orange juice. We like Uncle Matt’s or Evolution.
Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen– adds flavor + protein in the way of amino acids, which support healthy hormones, gut health, and stabilized mood. Get it here.
Redmond Real Salt– provides an excellent source of sodium + trace minerals. Get it here.
Cream of tartar– excellent source of potassium. Get it here.
Coconut cream OR real heavy cream– provides good saturated fat to support healthy hormone production, as well as to slow absorption of sugars from orange juice. We like this organic coconut cream.
Wake Up Maggie– energy-promoting magnesium. Get it here.
You can, of course, use different ingredients to accomplish the same goal of supporting the adrenal glands with the needed nutrients, but we like this recipe because it’s SO TASTY!
The goal is to get 60mg of vitamin C, 375 mg of potassium, and 460mg of sodium.
Find the full Adrenal Cocktail recipe with measurements below.
Adrenal Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Shaker bottle or blender
Ingredients
- 8 oz orange juice, fresh-squeezed or organic
- 2 scoops Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen, Strawberry Lemonade
- 1 tbsp coconut cream or real heavy cream
- 1 scoop Wake Up Maggie Magnesium
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/4 tsp Redmond Real Salt
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a shaker bottle or blender and blend well. Drink immediately.
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