Are your adrenals causing salt cravings?
What do your salt cravings really mean?
Salt cravings can be an indicator of adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands are a principal part of the endocrine system, managing the release of several important hormones such as:
Adrenalin – involved in stress, excitement, fear, and courage. Associated with an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.
Cortisol – A stress hormone. Important to get us going in the morning, but when chronically raised it indicates the need for stress management and perhaps lifestyle adjustments.
Androgens – Sex hormones. Testosterone is a key androgen, which is also the precursor to oestrogen. These hormones also require CHOLESTEROL.
Aldosterone – Involved in managing the ratios between body water and sodium (salt), which in turn regulates blood volume and pressure.
The adrenals are located just above your kidneys, enabling the activity of aldosterone. There are collection ducts in the kidneys which facilitate the storage and conservation of sodium, which is an essential part of fluid regulation in the bloodstream (blood volume and pressure) and around cells. Aldosterone operates in and around these collection ducts, and when it is depleted, sodium is lost through the kidneys and bladder. This salt loss is part of adrenal fatigue, and as the body acts to replenish lost sodium, we experience salt cravings. Sodium is a key electrolyte for muscle and nerve function, and when low our bodies feel fatigued.
Adrenal fatigue can present in various ways and be different from one individual to another. Other signs of adrenal fatigue are:
‘Wired but tired’
Waking unrefreshed. Being tired in the mornings
Brain fog and nervous system fatigue
Irritability
3pm energy dips
Anxiety
Depression
Weight gain
Inability to lose water weight
Suffering libido
Addressing adrenal fatigue can be done in many ways. It takes a little time as each of the various hormones involved have a complex nature. Individuals respond best to a tailored approach, which considers the circumstances that brought on their adrenal fatigue and lifestyle factors in acting to reverse it. Nourishing the gut-brain-axis, supporting liver clearance, hydrating, and providing lots of vitamin C is a good place to start for anyone. You can find out where to go from there in an online consultation with Sarah.