These tiny glands atop your kidneys produce hormones that help your body respond to stress.

Chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue or dysfunction, resulting in symptoms like:

– Fatigue
– Brain Fog
– Rapid Weight Fluctuations
– Poor Quality Sleep
– Mood Swings
– Decreased Libido
– Cravings and Blood Sugar Imbalances
– Digestive Issues
– Sensitivity to Stress

To support your adrenal health and restore balance, at Upstream Functional Medicine in Colorado Springs, we use functional lab testing and a close look at lifestyle factors to determine underlying cause, then decide on the most effective course of action to get you back to better health. Oftentimes treatment can incorporate nourishing your body with nutrient-dense whole foods, stress-reducing techniques like meditation, and prioritizing quality sleep.

Here is a quick checklist to help you get started down the path of Adrenal Restoration. 

• Anti-Inflammatory Diet: 

We’re talking about taking the standard American pyramid and removing it from our minds completely! Build your nutrition around good fats, antioxidant phytonutrients (like non-starchy vegetables, herbs and low-glycemic fruits), clean proteins (find our favorite local resources here), healthy fibers, fermented foods and natural sweeteners in moderation. If you suspect food sensitivities, then following an elimination diet is key.

• Focus on your breathing: 

Improving your posture and optimizing your breathing patterns is key for improving adrenal function. Set aside time every day to breathe long and deep and allow for your heart rate to slow and for your body to move into a relaxed and restored state.

• Limit exposure to Cell Phone & Blue Light: 

Research shows that exposure to EMFs and blue light plays a big role in regulating the body’s systems. Improve your adrenal functions by limiting your screen time daily.

• Use wearable technology to track stress levels and sleep patterns:

Here is one of our favorites, The Oura Ring

• Use supplementation based on lab results:

At Upstream, we provide hand-selected, vetted, and top-of-the-line supplements so that there’s no question about the quality, offering reliable results for you.

We believe supplements are a tool and should first be used for a short period of time to treat clearly identified underlying dysfunctions until resolution, and then we encourage putting most of the supplements away. 

• Adequate Hydration with plenty of Electrolytes (especially in high elevation): 

Hydration and Minerals are essential to the function of the adrenal gland. 

Water is extremely critical. When you are dehydrated, you will naturally stimulate stress hormone production. Drinking 8oz of water can be one of the best ways to decrease the stress response and put your body back into a relaxed and restored state.

Making sure you are using the highest quality sea salts on your foods (or even sprinkled in your water) throughout the day is a great strategy to boost mineral content. 

• Meditation and Prayer daily:

Carve out time each day to Meditate and Pray. Both are extremely restorative to the body, mind and the spirit.

Remember, it’s time to give your adrenals the care they deserve! Contact our clinic to learn more information on your adrenal health.