In this short series of posts ‘ME/CFS Simple Strategies’ trainer and former sufferer of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia Simon Pimenta explores strategies for people with ME/CFS.
ME/CFS & Diet
Please re-read the caveats in the first article.
As stated in the first article, diet is a big topic and often advise is conflicting.
The first article focussed on the Stone Age Diet
The second article explored Glycemic Index and how foods affect your blood sugar.
The third article explored Candida Albicans And Yeast Infection.
Medical Caution: This information in this article is not a recommendation. Consult your Doctor before making dietary changes or taking supplements, especially if you if you have health issues or are taking prescribed medication. Ashwagandha is not recommended for women who are pregnant.
Diet Part 4: Adrenal Fatigue
I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue by a Medical Doctor.
I felt exhausted and ‘wired’ and any stress, no matter how small, left me feeling shattered, as if I had run a marathon.
OK, I have never run a marathon, but I suspect how I felt would be the same!
Possible Causes
1. Stress
The doctor explained that stress, whether physical or emotional, can cause adrenal fatigue.
He said that my low blood pressure may be an indication of adrenal fatigue.
I had low blood pressure before I developed ME/CFS and had been told that this was a sign of being super fit!
In truth, I had been fit and active prior to developing ME/CFS, but it is possible that stress had been affecting adrenal function even before I got sick.
2. Stimulants
He also said that over-reliance on stimulants, for example caffeine, can be a contributory factor on an already stressed body.
I was told that over-stimulation over a long period can result in adrenal fatigue. These glands can only do so much, and if they are over worked, they will stop working properly.
Obvious really, and other glands can be affected in the same way.
However, often people think that if they have issues such as poor thyroid function, that the gland is faulty, rather than it has been over-worked- a couple of Doctors say that the latter is usually the case.
Symptoms
Adrenal fatigue results in a range of symptoms:
Unexplained fatigue
Inability to deal with stress
Poor sleep
Weak immune system
Dark circles under the eyes
Less Common Symptoms
Low blood pressure
Craving salt
Frequent urination
Dealing With Adrenal Fatigue
1. Diet
If you have read the previous 3 posts on diet, you may not be surprised to hear that the recommendation is to follow the low GI diet!
The GI chart below will help you at a glance make food choices that keep blood sugar stable.
There may be some variance between GI scores from different sources.
Top Tips
1. Eat regularly
2. Don’t skip meals
3. Eat breakfast soon after waking up or as soon as you feel like eating
4. Some nutritionists do advocate eating high quality carbohydrates: quinoa, brown rice
5. Eat quality fats: avocado, coconut oil, butter
6. Eat protein; beef (preferably grass fed), wild fish, free range chicken, eggs, good quality protein powder
7. Add some quality salt. Lots of Nutritionists recommend Himalayan pink salt. Check with your Doctor if you have high blood pressure.
Cut out:
1. Sugar or foods containing high amounts of sugar
2. Refined grains, for example white bread, pastries, biscuits
3. Caffeine (stimulates adrenal glands)
4. Processed foods
5. Table salt
2. Supplements
There is a range of supplements that are advised.
Check out this page for more information about supplements for adrenal fatigue
One supplement I found really helpful was ashwagandha, an adaptogen that is said to modulate how your body responds to stress.
As stated above (see Medical Caution at top of post), Ashwagandha is not recommended for women who are pregnant.
3. Stress Reduction
Any steps you can take to reduce stress in your life is going to be beneficial.
The work I do with clients focusses on teaching people strategies to reduce stress.
If you would like to know more, read my free report ‘ME/CFS: A Piece Of The Jigsaw’ and book a free coaching session (see below for more information).
Resources
The website adrenalfatiguesolution.com has a wealth of free information on adrenal fatigue.
Comment
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I do 3 free coaching sessions each week.
I promise that I won’t sell anything.
During the session, we will work together to:
- Clarify your current situation
- Identify a number of clear, reasonable goals
- Identify what is stopping you from achieving them
- Identify practical steps to help you achieve these goals.
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Disclosure
In the interest of full disclosure, I want to tell you that any links to adrenalfatiguesolution.com (or Amazon) are affiliate links. I have reviewed the site and have found that the content contains information that I found helpful when I had the condition. However, do your own due diligence before making a decision to invest in any product. Thanks for supporting my work.
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SIMON PIMENTA is a hypnotherapist, coach and trainer working with people to boost resilience and performance, and minimise stress.
After working in a demanding job as the Director of a Housing Trust, he went off sick and remained unable to work for the next 8 years.
He discovered a pioneering approach to resolving health issues and got back his health, and now trains others using these same techniques.
Thanks Simon for your research and concise explanations. I find your articles very helpful for keeping me on track with my goals.
You are welcome Susan. I hope you are doing well!