Fatigue, depression, and anxiety are also symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS), where the adrenal glands have become dysregulated and their cortisol output is either too high (during the earlier stages) or too low (during the more advanced stages). In the larger picture, the adrenal glands are only one part of one of the six circuits involved in the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response, which is the body’s global response to stress. These six circuits are: the hormone, the metabolism, the cardionomic, the neuroaffect, the inflammation, and the detoxification responses.
Chronic stress can cause imbalances in all six circuits, with the adrenal glands bearing most of the brunt and then negatively affecting the rest of the hormonal and …show more content…
People with AFS can experience spikes in blood glucose that are then followed by crashes, and this roller coaster creates even more fatigue, as well as cravings for sugar and caffeine. Hypoglycemic attacks during the night are also one of the causes of disrupted sleep in those with AFS. Same with blood pressure - people with AFS can suffer from heart palpitations, increased heart rate, unstable blood pressure, and other cardiovascular issues.
So what does this mean? It means that AFS and magnesium deficiency can both create or exacerbate metabolic dysfunctions if not addressed early enough. Add to that the fatigue, anxiety, and depression that can come with AFS and magnesium deficiency, and you can see why considering a magnesium supplement alongside other AFS recovery techniques can be a great way to find relief from these challenging symptoms.
Magnesium also helps with a very specific mineral balance that is usually disrupted when you have AFS: the sodium-potassium ratio. It also has a calming effect on the nervous system, which then lessens the need for cortisol secretion, as well as sleep-promoting qualities. You can see why magnesium can be a powerful ally in adrenal fatigue