If you’ve been struggling with a chorus of symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain, have you considered functional medicine therapies? At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC), we integrate treatment options to address the root cause of health issues, including adrenal fatigue. 

Holistic and functional medicine practitioners recognize this adrenal issue, and it describes a group of symptoms linked to extreme stress levels. Proponents speculate that when chronic stress ensues for a lengthy period of time, the adrenals struggle to generate hormones needed for daily functioning (i.e. cortisol). This may lead to a series of symptoms, which may include sugary or salty cravings, sleep issues (struggling to wake up and fall asleep), low blood pressure and blood sugar levels, major fatigue, and overall weakness.

So, what should we know about adrenal fatigue and integrative and functional medicine therapies? We explain below. 

What is adrenal fatigue?

• • This condition should not be confused with a chronic illness called Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency). Addison’s disease is when the adrenal glands cannot produce enough aldosterone and cortisol, which are different hormones. It’s thought that adrenal fatigue may be a gentler  form of adrenal insufficiency.
  • Proponents speculate that adrenal fatigue affects the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis. The HPA axis is a system that helps regulate stress levels, and it consists of three organs: the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal glands. 
  • The HPA axis becomes activated when you come face-to-face with stress. This leads to “… the secretion of cortisol, which has receptors in almost all cell types, and exerts widespread effects on metabolism, immunity, and behavior, to help … cope with stress,” confirms a Molecular Systems Biology article. 
  • But when the HPA axis is activated non-stop from continual stress, it may lead to adrenal dysfunctions. This can trigger a variety of symptoms that affect sleep, cognitive function, mood, weight fluctuations, energy levels, and blood pressure.   
  • Unhealthy lifestyle factors – i.e. sedentary living, lack of sleep, poor eating habits, and nutritional deficiencies – can exacerbate adrenal fatigue. Adrenal dysfunctions vary between patients due to different hormone levels, nutritional needs, lifestyle factors, mental health factors, etc. Thus, consults with a functional medicine-practicing naturopathic doctor may be valuable for tailoring a treatment plan for your uniqueness. 

In our previous article, we discussed key tips on the role of Toronto functional medicine for elevating hormone levels that we encourage readers to check.

The functional medicine approach to adrenal health

Adapted treatments under the functional medicine model are beneficial for targeting individual needs. Here are examples of how our clinic uses this paradigm to address adrenal fatigue: 

• • Functional medicine testing may be used to scrutinize hormones: Some conventional medicine practitioners do not offer lab testing for this health concern; however, functional lab tests are available from select integrative clinics. Our clinicians may recommend the DUTCH Plus HPA axis and cortisol awakening response test, which scrutinizes dried urine samples for quantifying sex and adrenal hormones. These measurements help us diagnose adrenal fatigue and make arrangements for your treatment plan. 
  • You may be advised to eat regularly: As we explained earlier, low blood sugar levels can be indicators of adrenal fatigue. If you don’t eat consistently (i.e. three meals at the same time every day), you may be advised to schedule your meals and snacks to help regulate blood sugar levels. 
  • Herbs and supplements may be recommended: Oral supplements may be taken to help reduce stress levels and support hormones. One example is vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), which may help the adrenals produce hormones. Adaptogenic herbs, such as ashwagandha and schisandra, can also be taken to support the HPA axis and cope with high stress. 

Tailored health strategies can positively influence your health status, especially when it comes to adrenal fatigue and other hormone issues (i.e. estrogen dominance, low T, hyper- or hypothyroidism). Become a new TFMC patient today to improve your mental clarity, physical exertion, and more.  

Experience our personalized clinical care today

A personalized medicine approach can help target individual symptoms and health needs, such as stress, nutrient deficiencies, weakened immune function, and more. When therapies are tailored for health goals and biological needs, your uniqueness is kept in mind, as a functional medicine practitioner considers your lifestyle factors, genetics, medical history, and environmental factors (i.e. pollution, exposure to heavy metals).  

The functional medicine model encourages communication and collaboration between the practitioner and patient. At the TFMC, patients are invited to provide input while a comprehensive treatment plan is being drafted. Each patient is provided with additional education about their health condition and therapies; this added knowledge can motivate patients to adhere to treatment plans, while practicing lifestyle modifications outside of our clinic. 

Integrative medicine therapies are emphasized by our clinicians so that you can draw from various modalities for symptom relief. We are able to integrate a wide range of treatments for your needs, such as conventional medicine (Western), naturopathic medicine, holistic nutrition, hormone optimization programs, and doses of nutrients for IV (intravenous) therapy. Other holistic treatments we offer include Chinese medicine acupuncture services, psychotherapy, herbal medicines, and more. Please let us know if you have questions about our functional lab tests, therapies, and how our clinic works. 

Let’s partner up to combat chronic stress, low energy, and hormone imbalances. The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre is booking for new patient consultations – simply click here to begin! 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

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Jezova D, Duncko R, Lassanova M, Kriska M, Moncek F. Reduction of rise in blood pressure and cortisol release during stress by Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in healthy volunteers. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2002 Sep;53(3):337-48. PMID: 12369732.

Karin, O., Raz, M., Tendler, A., Bar, A., Kohanim, Y. K., Milo, T., & Alon, U. (2020). A new model for the HPA axis explains dysregulation of stress hormones on the timescale of weeks. Molecular Systems Biology, 16(7), e9510. https://doi.org/10.15252/msb.20209510

Su Y, Cochrane BB, Reding K, Herting JR, Tinker LF, Zaslavsky O. Mediterranean Diet and Fatigue among Community-Dwelling Postmenopausal Women. J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr. 2022 Jan-Mar;41(1):22-45. doi: 10.1080/21551197.2022.2025972. Epub 2022 Jan 18. PMID: 35038968; PMCID: PMC9835016.

Tanriverdi, F., Karaca, Z., Unluhizarci, K., & Kelestimur, F. (2007). The hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome. Stress, 10(1), 13–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890601130823

Wilson, J. L. (2014). Clinical perspective on stress, cortisol and adrenal fatigue. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 1(2), 93-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2014.05.002