I can observe nutritional deficiencies by what a person chooses to eat. One of the easiest ones is observing whether a person likes salty foods and does he like to add salt to his food.

What does this mean? A deficiency of salt? No, it indicates that your adrenal glands are not functioning as well as they should. It is commonly called adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion.

What are some other symptoms of adrenal fatigue besides salt cravings – increased PMS symptoms, lack of energy, muscle weakness, fluid retention mild constipation alternating with diarrhea – there are many others, including the tendency to get the flu (as the adrenals are a major factor in your immune system). There is also a feeling of being less able to handle stress, mild depression and absent-mindedness.

The adrenal glands are two small glands that sit over the kidneys. (Kidneys=renal; ad=above). They are responsible for secreting over 50 different hormones. They are responsible for the regulation of the mineral metabolism (sodium, potassium, chloride), water balance, metabolism (utilization and distribution of carbohydrates, protein, and fat), allergic and immune reactions (such as hypersensitivity, allergies, and autoimmune diseases), and production of the male and female hormones (progesterone, testosterone, estrogens, DHEA, etc.).

You may have been experiencing this condition for years. Although there is increasing physician awareness, many are not familiar with adrenal fatigue as a distinct syndrome. Because of this lack of knowledge, patients suffer because they are not properly diagnosed or treated.

The onset of adrenal fatigue and exhaustion can occur because of financial pressures, infections, emotional stress, smoking, drugs, poor eating habits, sugar and white flour products, unemployment and several other stressors. Stressors are something that create either physical or mental stress.

After experiencing many of these events over a long period of time, the adrenal glands tend to produce less cortical, the body’s master stress hormone. The main role in the body is to enable us to handle stress and maintain our immune systems. The adrenal gland’s struggle to meet the need for high amounts of cortical production eventually leading to the adrenal fatigue.

Another symptom is that some people feel tired in the morning, feeling better at noon and then have a lull at about 2-4 PM. They tend to feel better at 6PM and feel they work better at night. Sometimes they are exhausted at 9PM and in bed by 11 PM.

It is hard to test for a true diagnosis of adrenal fatigue. Sometimes you have to test the adrenals and the thyroid because they work together as does all the glands.

It is important for patients to eat regular meals, chew food well, and eat by 10 AM and again for lunch. Patients should look to avoid any hydrogenated fats, caffeine, chocolate, white carbohydrates (flour sugar, etc) and junk foods. Diets should have a heavy emphasis on vegetables and protein. Sea salt should be used instead of refined table salt.

Supplementation is also an important component.