dehyrated - Page 2

[Metasequoia]

Rachel J., I don't think I'd follow that guide word for word - better to get one of the books about Adrenal Fatigue - the Wilson one has a chapter about diet. The important thing to remember is that you need to *increase* your sodium intake, massively. Potassium is a problem when you have adrenal dysfunction because your sodium & potassium levels aren't balanced. If you limit high potassium foods & increase your sodium intake, you're heading in the right direction.

I have so many posts scattered around about this - I just need some alone time to gather them up & put a thread together. On another board I occasionally visit, a few people asked for more info - when people read about it, it's like a lightbulb appears & they say, "Hey, that sounds like me!"

I'll post that thread by the end of the weekend.

[Metasequoia]

Phew! That took a while!
"THE Adrenal Fatigue Thread":
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=685848

Somehow, I deleted the first half before I posted it but I *think* I typed everything back correctly. If it seems choppy, it's because I had to go around & copy bits & pieces of my other posts (& it's late, especially for someone with poorly functioning adrenals.) I tried to smooth it out, LMK if something doesn't make sense.

[Metasequoia]

I just updated in the above mentioned thread - my doctor gave me licorice to take (after I make sure it's safe for BFing) & the directions have some REALLY interesting info!

The licorice extract inhibits 11 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-BHOD) in the kidneys. 11-BHOD is the enzyme that inactivates cortisol. People with adrenal insufficiency do not retain enough sodium, and have an excess of potassium. The ratio between our body's sodium & potassium is like a seesaw. If one goes up, the other is down. Blocking 11-BHOD in the kidneys allows cortisol access to the mineralocorticoid receptors triggering an increased retention of sodium and a lowering of potassium. This action brings a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome into sodium/potassium balance, therefore, supplementing these individuals with otassium is not needed nor recommended.
The increased sodium causes the body to conserve water, which quickly increases your overall blood volume. Increased blood volume indirecty increases blood pressure by increasing the efficiency of the heart.

[saratc]

DH and I have self diagnosed adrenal fatigue and we've definitely noticed the salt connection. We are going to a doctor within the next couple of months to confirm this. Based on our readings, we've been avoiding drinking plain water and stick with water kefir and kombucha, which incorporates lots of electrolytes. We also crave and heavily salt with a natural salt that contains iodine. I also start my day with heavily salted eggs followed by some water and water kefir. I drink a lot of watered down water kefir, and when I feel especially thirsty, I throw a dash of salt in it.

To the op -- you may want to try water kefir instead of gatorade. It's much more natural and will do the trick.

If it's adrenal fatigue, you want to be avoiding foods high in potassium especially in the mornings.

[Brookesmom]

Thankyou, thankyou for this information!

DS is about 80% nursing at 16 months and as a baby my chiro told me my adrenals were shot. I just woke up exhausted after 9 1/2 hours (as usual lately) and am SO thirsty as usual. I didn't know about the potassium/sodium imbalance. My mom heard that DH should have more potassium and less sodium for his blood pressure regulation and I've been eating more bananas and probably salting less, LOL. I need to treat my diet differently I guess.

thanks, Kelly

Originally Posted by Metasequoia

I have dehydration troubles too - it's common in adrenal fatigue (which I recently found out I have.) The reason being that adrenal patients have a sodium/potassium imbalance. I'm always thirsty, especially first thing in the morning. My doctor (who specializes in adrenal fatigue) said to drink a glass of salt water first thing in the morning (sea salt.) I tried this & nearly puked so I bought empty capsules (large ones) & plan on filing them with Celtic sea salt. When I first wake in the morning, I cook eggs & salt them very heavily - after I eat them, then I can drink water, but plain water on an empty stomach is a no-no. We need *a lot* of salt. You'd be surprised how many people suffer unknowingly from some degree of adrenal fatigue - especially us sleep deprived mamas. Oh, potassium - it's a no-no for us, no bananas, figs or other potassium rich foods.
I'm also *almost* EBFing my 14 month old, my milk makes up about 95% of his diet, so that doesn't help with the dehydration issue.

Bottom line, our adrenals need salt, our bodies NEED salt!