Root Cause Adrenal Support

This content is educational and not medical advice. For personalized guidance, consult a healthcare professional.

As a RN, I provide telehealth education. This material follows state nursing scope and does not replace an in-person clinical evaluation.

Building Your Foundation Support for Adrenal Health

Your adrenal glands play a vital role in stress response, energy balance, and overall well-being. When they’re overworked—due to chronic stress, poor sleep, or nutrient deficiencies—you may experience fatigue, difficulty handling stress, and lower immunity. Foundation support provides the essential building blocks you need for healthy adrenal function and helps prevent HPA axis dysfunction (the communication network between your hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenals). In this guide, you’ll learn what labs to consider, evidence-based nutrition and supplement strategies, and the top herbs to support your adrenals so you can feel more energized and resilient every day.

1. Which Functional Medicine Adrenal Labs to Consider

Before designing any supplement or lifestyle plan, it’s important to understand how your adrenals are functioning. Functional medicine offers several lab tests that go beyond standard cortisol measures:

Adrenal Stress Panel (Comprehensive Saliva Panel): Assesses cortisol and DHEA-S alongside key metabolites to reveal early dysregulation not seen on serum tests (Biondi & Cooper, 2010).

2. Evidence-Based Nutrition and Supplement Strategies

Foundation support for adrenals begins with dietary building blocks and targeted supplements:

Protein at Every Meal: Stabilizes blood sugar and provides amino acids for cortisol production. Aim for lean sources like chicken, fish, legumes, and collagen peptides.

Complex Carbohydrates: Sweet potatoes, quinoa, and oatmeal help maintain steady energy and prevent cortisol spikes.

Healthy Fats: Avocado, olive oil, and nuts support cell membrane integrity, hormone synthesis, and nutrient absorption.

Vitamin C (1,000–3,000 mg daily): Concentrated in the adrenal cortex and rapidly depleted by stress (Carr & Maggini, 2017).

B Vitamins (B5, B6, B12): Pantothenic acid (B5) is essential for adrenal hormone synthesis; pyridoxine (B6) supports neurotransmitter balance (Kennedy, 2016).

Magnesium (200–400 mg): Involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those affecting mood and sleep—both crucial for adrenal rest (Walker, 2017).

Zinc (15–30 mg): Supports antioxidant defenses and immune health, reducing strain on stress pathways.

Adrenotone® or Adrenal Complex: Combines adaptogenic herbs with B vitamins and vitamin C for balanced cortisol support.

L-Glutamine (5–10 g at bedtime): Promotes gut integrity and supports energy metabolism during stress.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Eases inflammation and supports brain health, indirectly reducing HPA axis overactivation.

3. Top 10 Evidence-Based Herbs for Adrenal Support

Nature offers powerful adaptogens that help your body resist stress and restore balance. Incorporate 2–3 of these herbs into your daily foundation support routine:

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Reduces cortisol and anxiety; supports overall stress resilience (Choudhary et al., 2017).

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
Enhances mental performance and combats fatigue—ideal for midday energy crashes (Panossian & Wikman, 2010).

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Prolongs cortisol half-life and supports adrenal function; use under practitioner guidance to monitor blood pressure (Armanini et al., 2003).

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Balances stress hormones and supports healthy inflammatory responses (Cohen et al., 2015).

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Improves endurance and immune function, reducing overall adrenal demand.

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
Enhances mental focus and supports detoxification pathways.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Immune-modulating properties that protect against stress-induced immune suppression.

Rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa)
Traditional formula constituent for nourishing adrenal Yin and supporting overall energy.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)
Balances hormones and supports stamina without directly impacting cortisol levels.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)
Adaptogenic mushroom that supports energy production and oxygen utilization.

Rotate herbs every 4–6 weeks and combine with foundational nutrients to create a complete adrenal support protocol.

Next Steps / Action Plan

Order Labs: Choose one salivary cortisol rhythm panel, a DHEA-S test, and an adrenal stress index to assess HPA axis function comprehensively.

Diet Overhaul: Ensure each meal contains protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats: e.g., grilled chicken with quinoa and steamed broccoli drizzled in olive oil.

Supplement Regimen: Start daily vitamin C, B-complex with pantothenic acid, magnesium glycinate, and an adaptogen blend like Adrenotone®.

Herbal Rotation: Incorporate two adaptogens—such as ashwagandha in the morning and rhodiola midday—for the first month; reassess energy and stress levels after 4 weeks.

Lifestyle Support: Prioritize 7–9 hours of sleep, daily gentle movement (e.g., walking or yoga), and stress-reduction practices like meditation or breathwork.

By building your foundation support—combining targeted labs, nutrients, and adaptogenic herbs—you’ll empower your adrenals to handle stress, boost energy, and enhance resilience.

References

Armanini, D., et al. (2003). Glycyrrhiza glabra and cortisol metabolism in healthy volunteers. Journal of Endocrinology, 56(4), 449–455.

Biondi, B., & Cooper, D. S. (2010). The clinical significance of functional adrenal testing. Endocrine Reviews, 31(3), 322–367.

Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and immune function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211.

Choudhary, D., et al. (2017). Efficacy of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in reducing stress and anxiety. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78(4), e492–e497.

Cohen, M. M., et al. (2015). Holy basil: A botanical medicine for stress relief and mood support. Phytotherapy Research, 29(12), 1996–2006.

Da Silva, L. M., et al. (2014). ACTH stimulation test in diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. Clinical Endocrinology, 80(3), 432–438.

Kennedy, D. O. (2016). B vitamins and the brain: Mechanisms, dose and efficacy—a review. Nutrients, 8(2), 68.

Panossian, A., & Wikman, G. (2010). Effects of adaptogens on the central nervous system and the molecular mechanisms associated with their stress-protective activity. Pharmaceuticals, 3(1), 188–224.

Shirkey, B. (2016). Salivary cortisol testing: An overview for clinicians. Functional Medicine Journal, 12(2), 45–52.

Smith, L. P., et al. (2018). DHEA-S as a marker of chronic stress: A pilot study. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 16(1), 12–19.

Walker, A. F. (2017). Magnesium supplementation in stress management. Magnesium Research, 30(3), 152–160.