Electrolytes: Finding Balance During Adrenal Fatigue

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Dr. Wilson's Adrenal Fatigue Team

Electrolytes are teeny, tiny things with big responsibilities. Fluid retention and balance, blood pH, transmission of nerve impulses, and muscle control are just a few jobs these electrically charged particles (ions) handle. Most people suffering from adrenal fatigue experience some level of electrolyte imbalance.

When it comes to electrolytes in the body, it’s all about balance. These particles work best when they’re in an ideal ratio of each other. There are many different electrolytes, but for the purpose of this blog we’ll be focusing on sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium and chloride.

Sodium

In the blood and interstitial fluid, sodium is the most dominant of the four minerals. The balance of sodium and potassium significantly affects the symptoms experienced by people with adrenal fatigue. People with adrenal fatigue often have strong cravings for salty and savory foods. A craving for salt in people with adrenal fatigue can be explained by low aldosterone (a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands). In fact, sodium is probably the most critical element in adrenal fatigue.

Aldosterone is responsible for the maintenance of fluid (water) and the concentration of certain minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride) in the blood, the interstitial fluid (area between the cells) and inside the cells. As circulating aldosterone levels fall, sodium is removed from your bloodstream as it passes through the kidneys and is excreted in the urine. When sodium is excreted it takes water along. Initially, there is some loss of volume of your body fluids but it does not become severe until your circulating sodium level drops to about 50% of its original concentration in body fluids. At this point, even a small loss of sodium begins to have severe consequences.

If you have an electrolyte imbalance, you must be careful how you rehydrate yourself. Drinking lots of water or liquid without adequate sodium replacement can make you feel worse because it further dilutes the amount of sodium in your blood. Avoid soft drinks or electrolyte-rich sports drinks because they are high in potassium and low in sodium, which only add to the imbalance.

For more on sodium and blood pressure, read this article by Dr. Wilson.

Calcium

More than 90% of your body’s calcium is found in the bones and teeth. That leaves little for the rest of the body, but this small amount is responsible for big things, like blood clotting, muscle action and hormone production. Calcium also helps settle your nervous system and create inner calm.

Like beta fish, it’s best to keep calcium and magnesium separated. They get along together in the body, but when taken together they can cancel each other out, inhibiting absorption and utilization. It’s generally best to take calcium during the day, and supplement with magnesium at night.

Potassium

Of the electrolytes, potassium has the highest concentration in the body’s cells. Like sodium, potassium levels are maintained by aldosterone. When too much salt or fluid is pulled from the interstitial fluids, the small amount of sodium in the cells begins to migrate out of the cells into the interstitial fluid.

The cell does not have a great reserve of sodium because it needs to maintain its 15:1 ratio of potassium to sodium. As the sodium is pulled from the cell, water follows the sodium out. This leaves the cell dehydrated as well as sodium deficient. In addition, in order to keep the sodium/potassium ratio inside the cell constant, potassium then begins to migrate out in small quantities. This creates even more electrolyte imbalance, leading to decreased adrenal function.

Chloride

Most of the chloride in your body comes from the salt in your diet. You need chloride daily to balance fluid levels, perform nerve transmissions, move muscles and maintain kidney function. If you’re sodium is out of balance, chances are your chloride is as well.

Maintaining Balance

Dehydration is the most common cause of electrolyte balance, so staying hydrated can often prevent an imbalance. With adrenal fatigue, maintaining this balance can be tricky. Drinking lightly salted water can help, especially in the morning when aldosterone levels are low. You may also want to avoid potassium-heavy foods at this time as well. You can continue to drink salted water 2-4 times during the day, varying the amount of salt according to your taste.

It’s also recommended to avoid electrolyte-depleting or diuretic foods and beverages such as alcohol and coffee, especially if you have been out in the sun or are otherwise dehydrated. One of the problems people with adrenal fatigue constantly deal with is mild dehydration and sodium depletion.

But even in adrenal fatigue, the body is still wonderful, beautiful and incredibly wise. It is our society, our maladaptation to the stresses of modern life, and our poor judgment that need to change. We may not be able to change society but we can learn to use better judgment when it comes to taking care of ourselves and to respond to stress in healthier ways.

References:

“Electrolytes: Get Facts On How Electrolytes Affect Disease.” MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.

“Electrolytes: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.

“Fluid and Electrolyte Balance: MedlinePlus.” U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.

Wilson, James L. Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome. Petaluma, CA: Smart Publications, 2001. Print.

 

Study finds link between vitamin D deficiency and chronic low back pain

Study finds link between vitamin D deficiency and chronic low back pain

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitamin-d-news/study-finds-link-between-vitamin-d-deficiency-and-chronic-low-back-pain/?mc_cid=4229d40f42&mc_eid=ec1651b17f

A recent study conducted by the Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry found low vitamin D levels were strongly associated with patients with chronic back pain of unknown etiology.

Chronic low back pain is a leading cause of disability, often resulting in a reduced quality of life. Up to 80% of individuals who suffer from back pain are unable to identify the cause, making it difficult to treat their pain.

Researchers started to question whether vitamin D levels relate to back pain due to the role that vitamin D plays in bone health. Several studies have evaluated the relationship; however, much of these findings were conflicting.

A recent study aimed to provide insight on vitamin D’s role in chronic low back pain in India, where sun exposure is plentiful but cultural trends often result in insufficient vitamin D levels. They recruited a total of 200 patients with low back pain and compared them to 200 healthy controls.

All participants in the study had their serum vitamin D, C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) factors measured. CRP is an indicator of general inflammation in the body. RA factors refer to an antibody level that rises with immune mediated arthritis.

Researchers found that patients with chronic low back pain had significantly diminished vitamin D levels when compared with healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Half of the patients with low back pain were vitamin D deficient. CRP and RA levels tended to be elevated in cases when compared to controls.

The researchers concluded:

“Our findings provide a plausible explanation as well as justification for advocating dietary supplementation as well as therapeutic medication to achieve euvitaminosis D in musculoskeletal pain patients..”

 

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Melatonin Related to Postmenopausal Weight Gain

Melatonin Related to Postmenopausal Weight Gain

http://www.cpmedical.net/breaking_news_page/melatonin-related-to-postmenopausal-weight?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ProThera,%20Inc.%20%28newsletters@cpmedical.com%29&utm_content=May+19+PT+BN

Melatonin deficiency may play a role in postmenopausal weight gain, researchers recently discovered. Previous research shows that melatonin secretion decreases with advancing age with significant changes in women after age 40.

The subjects included 90 pre- and postmenopausal women. The researchers divided the women into three groups: 1) women without menstrual disorders to serve as the control group, 2) postmenopausal women without change in appetite and body weight, and 3) postmenopausal women with increased appetite and weight gain. The investigators measured serum melatonin, 17-beta-estradiol, the pituitary hormone follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), and urine 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, a melatonin metabolite.

The level of melatonin and estradiol were lower and FSH was higher in the postmenopausal women compared to the control group. As body mass index increased, urine 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion decreased. The data also showed that FSH levels correlated with body mass index, particularly in the overweight women.

The investigators concluded, "The obtained results indicate a significant effect of melatonin deficiency on the process of weight gain in postmenopausal women and justify its use in treatment of these disorders."

Reference:

Walecka-Kapica E, et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16:1030-42.

Study: Autism and Gut Issues

Study: Autism and Gut Issues

http://www.houston-enzymes.com/blog/study-autism-and-gut-issues/

Scientists at Columbia University found that young children with autism had increased incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Results were published in in the March 25, 2015 issue of JAMA Psychiatry.

This article is one of many recently reported that underscore the importance of the gut microbiome in human health.  Potential diagnostic aids as well as therapies may well result once a more complete picture is obtained.  For example, since a mother’s gut bacteria is the primary source of baby’s bacterial inoculation, one could map out the mother’s bacterial genome prior to delivery and perhaps get an indication of the likelihood of gut problems occurring in the infant.

We also know that diet can cause changes in the number and types of bacteria in an individual’s GI tract.  Foreknowledge of the gut microbiome could prompt dietary changes to result in a more optimum bacterial population.

Regardless of future events, we do know that proper nutrition and maintenance of the GI tract is vital to proper gut function. Using enzymes to support the digestion of good foods can help in maintaining good digestive function.

 

Sign Petition - Congressional Investigation and Reform of the CDC

https://www.change.org/p/rep-bill-posey-congressional-investigation-and-reform-of-the-cdc

 

Petitioning Representative Bill Posey Congressional Investigation and Reform of the CDC

On Aug. 27, Attorney Frederick M. Morgan, Jr. of Morgan Verkamp LLC issued a press release with a statement by William W. Thompson, Ph.D., a senior scientist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where Thompson has worked since 1998.

Thompson inadvertently became a whistleblower when discussing information about an article examining the possibility of a relationship between MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism.

According to Thompson, he and his coauthors "omitted statistically significant information" in a 2004 article they published in the journal Pediatrics.

Thompson stated, "The omitted data suggested that African American males who received the MMR vaccine before age 36 months were at increased risk for autism. Decisions were made regarding which findings to report after the data were collected, and I believe that the final study protocol was not followed."

This confession, paired with the %6000 increase in autism that has developed simultaneously as the CDC recommended vaccine schedule has increased, screams for a thorough investigation and reform of the CDC.  Parents of children diagnosed with autism after a round of vaccines have been telling the same story (see videos above) time and time again.  "My child was developing normally.  We went for the well-baby visit, had a round of shots.  My child has never been the same since that day."  These kids have lost crucial skills such as language and fine motor abilities.  Often their development slows or comes completely to a halt.  They also frequently suffer severe health consequences such as digestive disorders, food allergies, seizures, etc.  For years we have been told we are anti-vaccine fanatics and that it is just a "coincidence" in the timing of the diagnosis.  When you see it happen before your eyes to your child, you know the truth.  

Now someone is admitting to the fraud that has been going on for AT LEAST 10 years!   

Representative Bill Posey wants to call for investigation of the CDC, but he is asking for the public's support.  Please sign to show that we the people want a thorough investigation of those in power of these hugely impactful recommendations as well as a total vaccine reform.  Safer vaccines, fewer vaccines, a more reasonable schedule (further apart), as well as independent studies to determine the safety of all vaccines.  Accountablity and compensation should be the responsiblity of the companies who produce the vaccines as well, only then will they be motivated to ensure the vaccines are safe. No more blind faith in the "safety" studies that are carried out by the SAME people who are creating the vaccines!  This is a huge conflict of interest!  

Public pressure needs to be applied now to hold those responsible for this fraud accountable and to create long past due change.  Unless we act now to create change, the CDC will continue piling more and more vaccines on the recommended schedule.  They are even recommending that all pregnant women and elderly get the flu vaccine which contains thermasol, which is mercury - a known neurotoxin that is lethal to all life forms and even more lethal when combined with testosterone as scientific studies have proven.  This is no longer about "health" this is a huge business and about money.  The risks at this point far out out weigh the benefits.  Our children have a much better chance of recovering from the flu, whooping cough, the measles, etc. than they do from autism.  Parents who have had witness their child's develop regressive, preventable autism just after a round of vaccines are not anti-vaccine as they accuse -most of us followed the schedule religiously which is the exact issue we are trying to change.  If you read the vaccine inserts you can find the list of highly questionable ingredients as well as list of possible side effects, as you can see in some of the parent's videos on You Tube "Breaking the Silence on Vaccine Violence" it even clearly states "autism" in some of the vaccine inserts!  

The CDC has lost their credibiltiy and needs to be separate from the big pharma companies before their recommendations can be trusted.  

14 Ways Birth Control Pills Rob Us Of Our Health

 

14 Ways Birth Control Pills Rob Us Of Our Health by Dr. Izabella Wentz http://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/blog/why-women-with-hashimotos-should-ditch-the-birth-control-pill-and-choose-natural-family-planning 1. Birth control pills are described as "Drug Muggers" by Suzy Cohen, RPh, America's Pharmacist. Birth control pills deplete selenium, zinc and the amino acid tyrosine from our bodies. These are all vitamins and minerals that are necessary for proper thyroid function! Thyroid conditions affect 1 in 5 women at some point in life and are responsible for weight gain, depression and heart disease.  2. The hormones in birth control pills suppress our own body's production of estrogen and progesterone through a negative feedback loop mechanism. Birth control pills flood our bodies with high doses of artificial estrogen and progesterone leading our own production of natural hormones to turn off, preventing ovulation and thinning the uterine lining.  This can lead to a hormonal imbalances such as estrogen dominance.  3. Birth control pills increase the risk of blood clots and strokes. The risk greatly increases after age 35 and for women who smoke.  4. Birth control pills can thin our bones leading to osteoporosis.  5. Oral contraceptives, which stimulate pseudopregnancy simulate a shift from the Th1 to the Th2 Immune Branch. This can produce an imbalance of the immune system perpetuating autoimmune conditions.   6. Birth control pills can change our normal flora, allowing yeast and other pathogenic organisms to thrive.  7. Women who take birth control pills have an altered preference to mates.  8. Birth control pills increase the risk of breast, ovarian and liver cancers.  9. Birth control pills impair our ability to build muscle despite exercise.  10. Birth control pills can also decrease sexual desire by suppressing testosterone (Yes women produce small amounts of testosterone too).  11. High dose estrogen contained in birth control pills increases the activity of TBG (Thyroxine Binding Globulin). TGB binds thyroid hormone. More circulating TGB leads to lower levels of free thyroid hormone available for use by our body.  12. Many oral contraceptives contain lactose as an inactive filler. This may be an issue for many individuals with food intolerances and for women with Hashimoto's who often present with dairy and gluten intolerance issues. 13. Birth control pills lower our DHEA production. DHEA has been described as an anti-aging hormone. Many conditions, including autoimmune conditions have been associated with low DHEA. 14. Birth control pills deplete  our bodies of folic acid, B12 and B6 vitamins. A deficiency in any of these may result in anemia, birth defects, depression and other serious conditions.... So what's a girl to do? With all of these things in mind, I knew that it was time to kick the birth control habit. But what were my alternatives? Condoms have a 14-15% failure rate...that seemed like too big of a risk to take. And I wasn't too crazy about implants or any of the other birth control methods out there.  I then learned about the Fertility Awareness Method.  This method utilizes knowledge of the female reproductive cycles to predict days a woman will be fertile, and days that she isn't. There are only 6 days a woman can get pregnant within every cycle.  With a typical menstrual cycles lasting 28 days (Count day one as the first day of the menstrual period), on average women ovulate somewhere in the middle. But not every woman has a 28 day cycle. Also, not every woman with a 28 days cycle ovulates right smack in the middle of the cycle. And many women may ovulate at different times each month depending on lifestyle factors.  Fertilization can occur 5 days before ovulation, or on the day of ovulation....Thus the beginning and end of a menstrual cycle a woman will typically be infertile, and fertile for 6 days somewhere in the middle after she ovulates.  A thermal shift in basal temperatures, cervical position, and cervical fluids help determine ovulation.  Our temperatures go up by 0.4-0.6 degrees Fahrenheit after ovulation, and this thermal shift can be measured by using a very sensitive basal thermometer right after waking up. The temperatures, along with the other fertility signs are recorded daily in a fertility chart that will help the woman analyze where she is in the fertility cycle.  As a bonus, measuring your basal temperatures can help with measuring progress in your Hashimoto's treatment. Your pre-ovulatory temperature (usually the he first 10-15 days of your cycle) is key to determining how well your thyroid and adrenals are performing.  A pre-ovulatory temperature is normally between 97.0-97.7 degrees Fahrenheit.  Temps that are consistently lower than 97.3 degrees F may signal an under active thyroid,while temps that are consistently above 97.7 degrees F may signal an overactive thyroid. Also, temperatures that are low but inconsistent or all over the place may signal adrenal insufficiency. You can document your interventions on the same fertility chart where you document the daily temperatures and fertility signs.  I highly recommend the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility that gives an amazingly descriptive and thorough overview of the Fertility Awareness Method for pregnancy prevention and achievement. After reading this book cover to cover, I have purchased a copy for all of my girlfriends! While the Fertility Awareness Method can be very effective, I was still worried about doing it on my own....This method can fail in 25% of "typical" users, and I was afraid that I would fall into that category with my busy lifestyle.  That's when I found the LADY-COMP fertility monitor! This is a mini computer/alarm system that comes with an ultra sensitive thermometer. This mini computer learns your own body's normal temperatures and does the analysis for you, letting you know which days you are fertile with easy to read displays (red light-fertile, yellow light-learning, green light-infertile).  If you are super nerdy like me you can still make your own charts. I am currently running statistics on adrenal insufficiency temperatures and will share my templates soon.  I have been using the Lady Comp for over a year now, and it has been a really amazing tool that has taught me a great deal about my body. It has been an eye opener watching my temperatures change, as well as noticing that all of a sudden my husband smelled really really good after a jog around the time of my ovulation... (which is usually day 17 or 18 for me, not 14 as some would lead you to believe).  According to the manufacturer "Lady Comp is programmed with all natural family planning research data, it contains a database of more than 900 000 cycles and uses bio-mathematical forecasting calculations as well as the very latest computer techniques. It is a personal fertility monitor, which learns and adjusts to your individual cycle regardless of irregularities or cycle length. Lady- Comp is a one-time purchase without any recurring costs. Several clinical studies confirm its 99.3% accuracy." While this mini-computer is costly, fertility monitors are covered under Flex Spending and Health Spending Accounts. Very good to know for those who use it or lose it at the end of the year, or want to plan for next year.  It is also a one time purchase. One month of brand name birth control pills can cost an upward of $100, thus the monitor pays for itself within a few months! (I included this last sentence for those of you who have husbands who work in finance like mine does).  This monitor can also be used to plan a future pregnancy for when the time is right! Of course if the benefit of the oral contraceptives outweighs the risks, such as for certain serious medical conditions, a woman may need to continue taking the pill. In that case, supplementing with probiotics, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins and Vitamin C is strongly recommended. Please note...all supplements are not created equally, and throwing them all in one pill often does not lead to good absorption. I will soon be blogging about two of my favorite topics, drug interactions and supplements soon.