Vitamin C For Adrenal Glands

I’ve used a lot of natural remedies during my two battles with adrenal fatigue. One of them has been camu camu powder, which is high in natural Vitamin C.

This is a good opportunity to clear up a popular misconception. Many people believe that ascorbic acid is the same thing as Vitamin C. But there’s a big difference. Ascorbic acid is made in a lab. I think of it more like a drug, than a natural remedy.

Instead, ascorbic acid is a chemical isolate. It’s generally made from corn. So you have the added problem of it likely containing genetically modified ingredients. In the United States, nearly all of our corn is now grown from genetically modified seeds. (If you’d like to read more about this, I’ve covered the potential problems of GMO foods in this post.)

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So, if you’ve heard that Vitamin C is good for the adrenals (I’ve seen it recommended as a tonic), I urge you to use whole food Vitamin C, instead of ascorbic acid. Actually, as far as I’m concerned, there’s only one kind of Vitamin C, and it’s the kind that’s derived from foods.

As you’re probably aware, citrus fruits contain enough Vitamin C to fulfill our daily requirements. However, other tropical fruits contain even more. Occcasionally, during my adrenal fatigue battle, I’ve taken camu camu berry powder. It contains many more times Vitamin C than an orange. It’s also packed with other nutrients. I don’t take this every day. Just occasionally. That’s because I’ve found that rotating my natural remedies seems to make them work better.

Vitamin C for Adrenals

So, for instance, I might take camu camu powder for about a week, at the very most. Then I’ll switch to something else. At least for me, my weak adrenals don’t seem to allow me to take the same thing for too long. Even though the worst of my symptoms have gone away, and I’ve pretty much recovered, I’ll probably have somewhat weakened adrenals for the rest of my life.

Can Vitamin C Help Your Adrenal Glands?

Those of us with weak adrenals are in a strange position. The mainstream medical community doesn’t believe our condition exists. A few doctors have broken from the pack. But, by and large, the symptoms of adrenal fatigue are labeled as “fibromyalgia.”

Mainstream medical treatyment for fibromyalgia involves drugs. Some of them are very expensive. They have side effects. Plus, they don’t address the root cause of the illness.

Those of us who know we have adrenal fatigue have generally received the diagnosis from a holistic practitioner. Chiropractors and naturopaths are well aware of this condition, and have developed specific treatment protocols. Because this is in the realm of alternative medicine, I can’t point you to a specific study on Vitamin C for adrenal fatigue. Nor can I give medical advice, because I’m not a doctor.

Vitamin C for Adrenal Fatigue

However, what I can do is tell you about my personal experience using natural remedies. I use them judiciously, and not for long periods of time. Actually, I only atake a natural remedy if I feel like. I stop taking it as soon as I lose the taste or interest. This seems to be my body’s way of telling me I’ve taken enough.

In addition to sharing my story of healing from adrenal fatigue, I can tell you about Dr. Michael Lam, MD. He is one of the few medical doctors with a good knowledge of adrenal exhaustion. Actually, he has an excellent understanding of what happens to our bodies when adrenal fatigue sets in. Here’s a link to his site, in which he discusses the potential downside of indiscriminate use of supplements, even natural ones.

During my own battle with adrenal fatigue, I was blessed to find a wonderful and skilled homeopath. She didn’t adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, she quickly realized I was highly sensitive to various remedies, so adjusted the dosing schedule accordingly. She also urged caution with herbs and essential oils, warning me not to overdo it with anything. (This is why it’s so important to work with a good natural healer.)

Vitamins and Minerals for Adrenal Fatigue

I like Dr. Lam’s approach to healing the adrenal glands. He understands that popping a lot of supplements (even natural ones) has the potential to make things worse, instead of better.

This is one of the reasons I switch my natural remedies around. I don’t take anything for too long. I also take lower doses than recommended. For instance, right now I’m taking a special herbal stress blend with natural Vitamin B complex. The bottle says to take two capsules a day. That’s way too much for me. Instead, I may take one capsule, maybe three days in a row. Then I might skip a day or two.

I won’t take this continuously either. Instead, I take breaks. This is when I may take organic camu camu powder, in relatively small doses as well. It’s really strong. But it does seem to help my chronic nerve pain, caused by excess inflammation. So I include this type of healthy “Vitamin C” in my natural medicine cabinet.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use dietary supplements or herbal remedies unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.