I remember searching through fitness publications and reading articles on adrenal fatigue. I learned how bad it is, how to cure it, and what causes it.
Then, as I delved further into scholarly articles and actual science, I learned that Dr. John Wilson, the man who "discovered" Adrenal Fatigue, is actually a Chiropractor. And to this day, no doctor or group has confirmed this condition to actually exist.
Yet you see supplements and other holistic crap that touts to cure adrenal fatigue. This article is here to do what I do best, cut through the BS and give you the truth about what adrenal fatigue really is and how to feel the best you have ever felt in your life!
The Good "Doctor" and Adrenal Fatigue
Dr. James Wilson sells stuff to cure adrenal fatigue. Strike one. But let's look at what the Endocrine Society's official stance on the "Doctor's" findings. [1]
"Adrenal fatigue" is not a real medical condition. There are no scientific facts to support the theory that long-term mental, emotional, or physical stress drains the adrenal glands and causes many common symptoms.
Okay, whatever. They don't know crap about anything, right?
Well, it's easy to make money off of people to cure something that has broad symptoms this, taken from The questionnaire at adrenalfatigue.org, Dr. Wilson's website. It asks if you ever experience the following:
Tired for no reason?
Having trouble getting up in the morning?
Need coffee, cola, salty or sweet snacks to keep going?
Feeling run down and stressed?
Crave salty or sweet snacks?
Struggling to keep up with life?s daily demands?
can't bounce back from stress or illness?
Not having fun anymore?
Decreased sex drive?
I think anyone in the world gets this every once in a while.
Yes, I get tired. it's called being human. Or maybe boredom. Regardless, no sh!t Sherlock. I hate getting up. I have a memory foam bed and my wife has a butt I love to cuddle with. Who doesn't like a freaking Snicker's bar!?!
If you have kids, check this - and probably all of this crap - off of the list.
Ever hear of PMS? Dr. Wilson is starting to make me mad.
Life's daily demands... Taxes alone make me tired of keeping up with life. Getting sick sucks, it's tough to get back to your normal life. it's not adrenal fatigue, once again, it's BEING HUMAN!
Not having fun anymore, LOL, just LOL.
Decreased sex drive is called aging or just dating ugly chicks or dudes. It happens to us all. Those are also related to other hormones like, um... SEX HORMONES!
Now I just want to punch Dr. Wilson in the face.
Adrenal Fatigue - it's Trickery for a Real Disease
Addison's Disease is a REAL condition usually caused by autoimmune issues but there is no evidence or proof that adrenal fatigue is an entry-level form of this disease. Once again, quackery! But there are symptoms that can be confused with Adrenal Fatigue (all of that mess I listed above), but here are some of the probable causes:
Poor sleep habits
Poor diet
Stress at work or home
Depression
But Machine, I HAVE THOSE SYMPTOMS!
Cool, cool. I can tell you for certain you DO NOT have adrenal fatigue since it is a big joke, a big hoax, and a contrived plot (my hypothesis) for Dr. Wilson to sell more supplements (capitalism FOR THE WIN)!
But these symptoms DO occur due to the reasons listed above, and other reasons, like stress or even just something that pisses you off, like me reading about this fake-a$$ illness. So how do we avoid, treat and fix them? Of course see a doctor if it is serious or if the symptoms persist.
SLEEP! The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours per night of sleep for adults. This varies but for most, this is the SWEET SPOT!
STRESS RELIEF! Relax! Find a happy place. don't internalize things. Practice breathing techniques.
EXERCISE! We recommend a combination of weight training and cardio. Depending on your goals, here are two good weight training programs:
There you have it. Pimp-slapping Dr. Wilson upside his fake-disease creating head and dropping knowledge bombs on how you can avoid the symptoms that you once might have thought were adrenal fatigue but now know are just a symptom of being human and dealing with stuff!
Take steps to be healthy, feel better and live your life to the fullest. Because having energy and being healthy? That's not a game!
References
1) "Hormone Health Myth Vs Fact | Hormone Health Network." Hormone Health Network | Your Endocrine System Resource. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 June 2016.