I came across some information about fatigue that some will be aware of that is created through the adrenal system. According to latest research there is a suggestion of a correlation between people suffering with adrenal fatigue and gluten in some instances.
"Gluten is a specific protein found in wheat, oats, rye and barley. It has been previously thought that these foods are easily digested in all persons except those with Coeliac disease, which involves the inability to tolerate gluten. However, newer evidence suggests that all individuals may be sensitive to gluten to some extent; the issue is more a case of how sensitive an individual is rather than if they are, with symptoms appearing above a particular threshold. This threshold is lowered in any person with poor digestive health. This covers most adrenal fatigue sufferers."
Please see the whole article on the following link:
Little extra useful note for those who may suffer from Adrenal Fatigue - try and incorporate a little licorice into the diet as it is believed that licorice helps to produce cortisol which will help to combat the fatigue.
*Remember that most licorice sweets and products contain wheat starch so look for pure licorice root. This can be purchased as licorice root sticks (this link is purely so that you can see what licorice root looks like) healthysupplies.co.uk/liquo...
*Additional added note: I have just found that licorice root powder is also available and might be a better option for some people, this one states that it is gluten free:
There are a few websites that suggest that pure licorice may be worth including in a coeliac diet to strengthen digestion, reduce gut inflammation, increase energy and reduce bloating to name but a few of its attributes. I will try and find more information on this subject as it is something that all of us might benefit from.
Licorice is best avoided if a person has high blood pressure, an existing heart complaint, or if a person is taking medicines that are linked to these complaints. It should neIt is an extremely strong herb and so therefore should only be consumed in small doses and for a period of FOUR weeks at a time before resting. If uncertain then consult a doctor before using licorice as a medical solution or medical aid to any illness or condition.
Thanks, this is really helpful! I am completely convinced that I have this. Doctors do not take me seriously and won't refer me for a saliva test to determine whether I definitely have it. They just say that my symptoms are an overhang from being coeliac (was diagnosed 9 months ago), but my vitamin levels are all completely normal and most of the coeliac symptoms are gone, so I find this hard to believe. Where to go from here?!
Hi Becky, I would go back to your doctor and ask if you can have a referral to be fully checked out or may be even a second opinion. I know that it is difficult to keep going back to the doctor - but if you feel really ill, then it is worth pursuing to get it all sorted out. x
Thanks for this info. Sounds all too familiar to me. I note the mention of licorice but I it's not that easy to find GF Licorice at usual food outlets. I wonder if anyone may have any good sources - prefably easily accessible I.e. supermarkets.
(Ian I just posted similar on a different thread).
Adrenal Fatigue is a real possibility, please look into Reactive Hypoglycemia as well. I had/ have very similar symptoms to Adrenal Fatigue, and still think I might have it. One of the symptoms of/ links to/ causes of (???) Adrenal Fatigue is Reactive Hypoglycemia.
I wouldn't recommend trying to sort this yourself, but by seeing your GPs and asking for an endocrinologist refferal if you have the symptoms above.
With my GP, I had sooooo many tests, Thyroid TSH, ACTH, B12, LFT, Vit D, Iron, Ferretin, another endoscopy/ colonoscopy, all the other usual tests - all showed nothing. (These took almost 2 years, resolving one thing after the other).
I ended up at my GPs, crying my eyes out, saying I'm so tired of this, only to be told it's depression. Thankfully, I'm made of resilient stuff, and insisted on an Endocrine referral. I knew it wasn't depression. I had to have a Glucose Tolerance Test which diagnosed the Reactive Hypoglycemia.
I now follow another diet, (as well as coeliac) and am so much better than I was. Saying that, I'm not fine yet - off for another endo appointment tomorrow and Adrenal Fatigue is on my query list. However, the RH diet I now follow has helped me no end.
Have a Gastro appt on Thursday and I'm definitely going to be pushing for some tests to find out why I feel so low. A bit of licorice will help cheer me up in the meantime. Fingers crossed and good luck for your appt tomorrow, keep us updated of your progress.
I think I'm possibly semi-paleo too ... as you say - keeping things natural and avoiding processed food, keeping the carbs low and eating full fat. So far, so good.
And more and more research is supporting this way of eating
That is very interesting Penel. The thought that the fish from the sea "potentially containing environmental toxins" pose a threat in the Paleo Diet certainly makes you think. I know that they have claimed over the last decade or two that canned oily fish like pilchards, etc may contain mercury especially if they have been sourced from the East. I suppose even though the sea takes up most of the planet surface and thus we tend to think of it as self-cleaning, there must be areas where there is so much polution, broken particles of plastic and polymers, chemicals .. and well the list of possibilities is a tad depressing to say the least, it must make all creatures that come into contact with it in these areas potentially a 'high risk' health hazard to all that eat them.
At least it is in agreement with some of the basic principles laid down by the Paleo diet and certainly the avoidance of processed foods.
Did you ever watch Ray Mears going walkabout in Australia .. where he is shown by two Aborigine ladies how they found and used wild foods (a fair bit of which he already knew himself)? I was intrigued by the water lily nuts, etc .. what it did do was made you think of the sorts of things primitive man might have been including in his diet. Not a lot of food, certainly no rubbish, but a very wide variety and using dogs to help with catching of meat such as goana!
Couldn't find the English version of the film but this one might indeed be in full .. it has both him and the ladies talking in the background with someone else talking over the top. Might be best watched with the sound off!!
On the strength of your post Lynxcat, I saw a nutritionist (one featured in one of the links you posted) TODAY and I am SO glad I did. I now feel like someone at last understands exactly how I feel and, more importantly, is willing to help me in a knowledgeable and constructive way.
He is even going to write a letter to my medical consultants to explain what he is suggesting.
I am so pleased for you BerkshireBird, and I do hope that everything is sorted out for you soon. To feel well is so important and makes such a significant difference to our lives.
How did your gastro ent appointment go Ian? Did you get anywhere with him/her?
My endo appointment was a step in the right direction I think... He seems to think it may be a misfunctioning adrenal gland and I've had more tests. More tests, sigh! The results will take 6-8 weeks and I've got another appointment in Feb.
I hope you managed to get a few more immediate answers!
Hey guys, sorry to bring back this thread again! I've just been for another doc appointment and i think it's quite clear that none of the GPs at my practice believe in the existence of adrenal fatigue (they only think of it as the more extreme form, Addisons). I have been 8 months g/f, but have been told i'm still in the recovery process. I'm quite sceptical of this, because the symptoms i'm having are quite different to the ones I used to get from gluten. I also have no vitamin deficiencies.
Anyway...to cut a long story short. Is it safe to try taking adrenal fatigue formulas on my own? Just to try them out and see if it makes a difference. I know it's not ideal, but not really sure what else to do. I'm a student and have no money to go private :/ I also have a very intense course to be getting on with and feel that all this is holding me back.
Hi Becky, I would advise against trying to self-medicate for this condition.
There are variations of diseases in the Adrenal area and it is dependent upon investigation which of these conditions a person may have. The symptoms can by quite similar. There is Adrenal Insufficiency, Adrenal Fatigue and Addison's Disease. The treatments also vary. I would advise you to return to the doctor and ask for a referral to a specialist to have your adrenal glands check out thoroughly and to receive the correct treatment.
Hope this advice helps just a little.
If you would like to read through a couple of threads first then here are some links - but best advice is really a trip back to the doctors and ask for a referral:
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Oh, I'm 'super sensitive' don't you know......gluten free labelling of a different type!
How many A-symptomatic coeliacs have started to eat gluten again?
Gluten Ataxia update