Adrenal Fatigue: Is It Real? What It Really Means & How to Support Your Body
- Gillian Scerri
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 27
Today we’re talking about adrenal fatigue, what it really is, what it can look like in everyday life, and most importantly, what you can do if you feel like this might be you.
If you’ve ever Googled adrenal fatigue, you’ve probably seen this:
“It’s not a medically recognised condition.”
And technically, that’s true. There’s no formal diagnosis called adrenal fatigue in conventional medicine. Your adrenal glands don’t simply “burn out” the way social media sometimes suggests.
But here’s where I struggle with that dismissal:
When we dismiss the label, we often dismiss the woman.
And the symptoms many women describe under this umbrella term are very real.
👉 Prefer watching instead of reading? Check out my full YouTube video here:
“My Tests Are Normal, But I Feel Awful”
In practice, I regularly see women who describe things like:
Feeling exhausted but wired at the same time
Crashing mid-afternoon
Waking at 3–4 AM with a racing mind
Feeling bloated or inflamed
Anxiety for no obvious reason
Doing “all the right things” but feeling worse
Being told their blood tests are “normal”
If this sounds familiar, please hear this:
This is not all in your head. It’s your body signalling that something needs attention.
What “Adrenal Fatigue” Really Refers To
Your adrenal glands produce cortisol, a hormone that regulates:
Stress response
Energy
Blood sugar
Blood pressure
Inflammation
Circadian rhythm
Think of cortisol like your car’s accelerator pedal.
Short-term stress
You floor the pedal for a deadline, a tough workout, traffic, or a big life event.
Cortisol rises → you get energy, focus, alertness.
Chronic stress
Now imagine the pedal is floored all day, every day.
Eventually, your body adapts. It may begin lowering or dysregulating cortisol output to protect itself. But now your rhythm is out of sync.
And that’s when symptoms show up:
Fatigue
Brain fog
Mid-afternoon crashes
Early morning wake-ups
Sugar cravings
Sleep disruption
Left unaddressed, this pattern can continue for months or even years.
But it doesn’t have to.
With the right support, your body is incredibly adaptable.
What Actually Stresses the Adrenals?
Stress isn’t just emotional overwhelm.
Anything your body perceives as stress can strain this system:
Mental-emotional stress
Work pressure
Family responsibilities
Constant mental load
Unresolved anxiety
Physical stress
Poor sleep
Blood sugar fluctuations
Under-eating
Overtraining
Cold environments
Lack of sunlight
Exposure to toxins (like BPA)
You might feel emotionally “fine,” but your body can still be functioning as if it’s in survival mode.
Common Symptoms of Adrenal Dysregulation
These are some of the most common patterns I see:
Ongoing fatigue (mental or physical)
Low emotional resilience
Poor recovery from exercise
Feeling faint or shaky
Sugar or salt cravings
Increased appetite or weight gain
Over-reliance on caffeine
Getting sick frequently
Some of these overlap with thyroid issues, anemia, or blood sugar dysregulation, which is why testing and professional guidance matter.
But one key differentiator is circadian rhythm disruption:
Waking at 3–4 AM
Crashing at 3 PM
Gaining belly fat despite eating less and exercising more
That pattern is a big clue.
Why Dieting and Fasting Can Make It Worse
When cortisol is high or dysregulated, your body believes it’s in survival mode.
It thinks famine might be coming.
So it:
Slows metabolism
Stores fat to preserve energy
Conserves resources
If you then restrict calories or fast aggressively, your body interprets that as confirmation:“Food is scarce. We must conserve.”
This can slow metabolism even more.
Instead, adrenal support looks like:
Protein + healthy fats + whole-food carbs first thing in the morning. (Eggs are especially supportive — the yolks contain choline.)
Small, regular meals to stabilise blood sugar
Moderate carbohydrates in the evening to support sleep and next-day energy
Supplements That May Help
Nutritional support can be powerful when used appropriately. Common options include:
B vitamins (B6, niacin, pantothenic acid, or a B complex)
Vitamin C
Magnesium (especially in the evening)
Ashwagandha (often starting around 500mg)
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting supplements, especially if you’re on medication or managing another condition.
Nervous System Support Is Essential
Your nervous system tells your body whether it feels safe or threatened.
When the sympathetic system (fight or flight) stays activated long term, it affects:
Energy
Hormones
Digestion
Metabolism
Sleep
To gently shift into “rest, digest, repair” mode:
Take small micro-pauses throughout your day
Extend your exhale when breathing
Reduce unnecessary stimulation
Build moments of joy and gratitude
When your nervous system feels safe, your body functions more efficiently.
Hormones balance. Energy improves . Digestion strengthens.
Key Takeaways
“Adrenal fatigue” isn’t a formal diagnosis, but the symptoms people describe are real.
Fatigue, crashes, cravings, and sleep disruption are cumulative stress signals.
Invisible stressors matter just as much as obvious ones.
Dieting, fasting, and under-eating can worsen the issue.
Recovery comes from balanced nutrition, gentle lifestyle shifts, and nervous system regulation.
Small, consistent actions create meaningful change.
And with the right support, it can recover and thrive.
Ready to take control of your health? Learn more about my online health and nutrition consultation services via the link below and see how we can work together to help you feel your best, inside and out!
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