What’s your adrenal protocol? Didn’t know you need one? First, you may need to understand what adrenals in order to figure out what the protocol should be for you and your body.
B Vitamins and Adrenal Function
Your adrenal glands manufacture a number of hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, aldosterone, estrogen and testosterone that regulate many processes in your body as well as help you cope with stress. This hormone production system is referred to as the adrenal cascade. Each of the eight B vitamins that make up vitamin B complex is essential in varying quantities throughout the adrenal cascade, as well as in many other processes from mood to DNA synthesis to energy production. Most B vitamins act as coenzymes, which means that they help form enzymes to become catalysts in biochemical transformations throughout your body.
Three Major Bs in the Adrenal Cascade
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is one of the most important of the B vitamins to the adrenal cascade. Large amounts of niacin are necessary to form the molecular structure of certain coenzymes critical for almost all of the steps in this cascade.
B5 (pantothenic acid) is another essential contributor in the adrenal cascade and is converted in the body into acetyl-CoA, a substance critical to the conversion of glucose into energy. It is present in all cells but in higher quantities in the adrenals because so much energy is needed to produce the adrenal hormones.
B6 (pyridoxine) is also a coenzyme in several of the biochemical pathways in the adrenal cascade and plays a role in the functioning of the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal (HPA) axis that modulates adrenal activity and the stress response.
Although proportionately larger quantities of B3, B5 and B6 are used in adrenal hormone production, all of the B vitamins help generate energy and work in concert with each other. Therefore, the presence of the complete B complex is necessary for each individual B vitamin to optimally do its job. Their relative ratios are especially critical to how well they are able to support adrenal function.
“B-12 injections give me the energy I need to help with my busy life. I’m more alert, I don’t need naps and I haven’t gotten sick when all my friends have had the flu. I would recommend B12 injections!”
– Angela H. New Leaf Wellness Patient, Read More NLW Patients’ Story
Vitamin B Complex – Optimal Ratios for Stress and Adrenal Fatigue
When buying a stress supplement containing B complex, the key is to look for one that has the B vitamins in the proper proportions for the human body to utilize, and specifically for the relative ratios that the adrenals need. The stress formulas that are composed of equal amounts of the B vitamins are not metabolized efficiently. An optimal formula for stress and adrenal fatigue should provide, per day, approximately:
- 75-130 mg of B3 (niacin)
- 700-1200 mg of B5 (pantothenic acid)
- 90-150 mg of B6 (pyridoxine)
- 15-25 mg of B1 thiamine)
- 15-25 mg of B2 riboflavin)
- 300-500 mcg of B7 (biotin)
- 600-1000 mcg of B9 (folic acid)
Because some people do not absorb vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) well in a regular vitamin supplement format, it may be preferable to take this in a separate 200-400 mcg sublingual supplement.
Have you been tested to even know if your adrenals are low? What are reasonable levels? We have seen many patients who had no idea their symptoms were from adrenal fatigue!
Adrenal Fatigue – What You Need To Know >
Follow Up Treatment:
Lab tests and meeting with the Provider should be done every 3 months. It is also recommend to eliminate hard-to-digest foods and toxins from your diet and to have a Food Sensitivity Test completed. Adrenal Fatigue can take up to 2 years to completely heal so follow all of the Providers recommendations.
