Adrenal Fatigue? What am I missing?

Question

Hi guys, I need your help!

I am a 33 years old female from Germany living in Tokyo. I have been vegan for about 1 year now, and I am sure, that this is the healthiest way someone can live. But lately I am not feeling good and I dont' know why. Here are my symptoms:

1. Fatigue, especially in the morning, I feel so exhausted, even after 7/8h of sleep. 
( I have to admit that I am sleeping late, around 12 or 1am, since my job starts at 10)
2. Hair loss
3. Blaoting (I suffered from IBS in the past which got a lot better on the vegan diet, but  there are still times after eating I look like pregnant!)
3. Stiff muscles/frozen&cracking shoulders/ upper back pain ( I have a light scoliosis and I am sitting the whole day in my office job, but although I am going to the gym and doing stretches I ache a lot.)
4. Dry skin along my shins and underarms
5. Blur vision

I think I am eating a very balanced diet, I supplement B12, D3, C, magnesium, a multivitamin and some probiotics here and there. Since I am in Japan, I am eating Nori and Konbu, so I also doubt to be deficient in Iodine. I am working out at the gym 3 times a week, doing a mixture between weights and hot yoga. Since I am living in Japan, I am also going to the Onsen (hot spring) or Sauna frequently. 

To give an idea what I am eating. 
Morning: Oatmeal with flaxseed, banana, peacun nuts or coconut shred, maple sirup
Lunch: Misosoup, Brown rice, seaweed,  a variety of vegetables (which differ every day) like, tomato, paprika, avocado, cucumber, pumkin, lettuce, spinach, brokoli, on top some  sprouts and seeds...
Dinner: a lot of vegetable soups or stews, natto, brown rice, kimchi, mushrooms...

In general I try to avoid oil when cooking. some coconut or olive oil here and there.
I don't drink coffee or alcohol, nor do I smoke. I am not under big stress ( at least I don't think I am ) But I have to say I have a sweet tooth. I crave sugar a lot and I snack between meals, nuts , but also cookies or other vegan treats. I am slim in general, but I am stroring fat in my midsection area, which is also a sign of adrenal fatigue?)

Recently, I reduced soy, especially soy milk and soft tofu, because it made me bloated and I read that it is messing up your hormones. Strangely, I don't have problems with firm tofu, soy meat or soy sauce. 
But since I am avoiding soy now, which was my major protein intake, could the fatigue be related to low protein? Or I am still getting enough from oats, brown rice, nuts/seeds and other vegetables? ( I also just started taking a pea protein after training)

I think I am eating very healthy, but I feel like the nutrients aren't reaching my cells, if that makes sense. I feel very sluggish, tired and have no power when I am doing sports.

I don't know if that is related, but I took the Oligo Scan 2 years (before going vegan), which showed extreme aluminium toxicity. I am also about to remove two amalgam fillings, because I read a lot about, that these also can be the trigger of my symptoms, because mercury blocks nutrient absorption. 

Is there anybody having similar issues or has an idea what could be the cause of my symptoms?I would apprecciate any advice.

Regards

Mountainmystic · Answer

Thanks for the detailed explanation of your problems. What you are eating and your vegan diet appears healthy. I have a few suggestions. I approach my health issues first from a whole body holistic health view. It's all mind, body, & spirit connected (a whole other conversation for some other time).

 I'm not a doctor, but I would say go to a doctor and get a blood test to see if anything is out of the normal range. Since you crave sugar and probably simple carbohydrates, that's a indicator that something is off. I would also get an A1C test to see what your overall several month blood sugar level is. You may be hypoglycemic (low blood sugar). Vegetarians and vegans seem to have a higher propensity towards this. Could be a thyroid problem. I suggest this to eliminate that possibility. If you are, you can control it mostly with diet usually, but it talks a lot of discipline and eating small meals or healthy snacks every 2 to 4 hours. Monitoring your blood sugar.

You mentioned you took the Oligo Scan 2 years (before going vegan), which showed extreme aluminium toxicity. You are also about to remove two amalgam fillings, because I read a lot about, that these also can be the trigger of your symptoms, because mercury blocks nutrient absorption. 

I have had all my mercury amalgam fillings and all my root canals removed in my teeth. The root canals over years are basically rotting areas in your mouth and toxins and bacteria is released into your body. Mercury is a heavy metal, toxic in certain leached concentrations, and leaches  into your body. Heavy metals end up accumulating in your liver and other parts of the body. I went to a holistic dentist 1 to 2 years ago and that made a huge difference in my energy level, sleep, and overall health. There aren't many in the U.S. I happen to live near one of the best in Knoxville, Tennessee. He's booked months in advance, but well worth the wait.  Every tooth in your mouth has a corresponding meridian line in your body that relates to the health or issues with various organs and parts of your body. You can look up body meridians up online, figure out what tooth # you have, and that can help narrow down possible health issues. 

You should consider doing a whole body detox with herbal supplements. One for the liver (milk thistle), blood (red clover extract), and stomach, intestines, & colon (slippery elm bark). Do it for about 7 days, and then wait a month or so, and do it again. 

All suggestions. Do what feel right for you. I would appreciate feedback from you on how this goes. That's how people learn. We all a piece of the puzzle of life, and if we share, we can all benefit.

Tsukimi · Answer

HI Mountainmystic,

thank you so much for your detailed response. I just hope the amalgam removal will show a difference. According to the meridians my fillings effect the intestines, which would explain my IBS/Blaoting symptoms. 

Regarding my blood, I just had a general check up in August. Nothing abnormal, except my cholesterol. The ratio between HDL and LDL was not good. Can that be related to hypoglycemia?

Thank you for the detox suggestions with milk thistle etc.
I also read about taking charcoal or chlorella after amalgam removal. 
Any experience with that?

Unfortunately, here in Japan holistic doctors are very rare, dentists only a few in the whole country. It's very expensive, but I finally could find someone, who is informed about the mercury issues. He is doing rubber dam, vacuum etc. He was also talking about giving vit C infusion and active oxygen during the procedure. Do you think that makes sense? So do you mean, you let him remove the roots of the tooth which were filled with amalgam? Is there anything else I could prepare for the removal or afterwards detox process?
My appointment is scheduled for Jan 12th.

I also have an appointment for another Oligoscan tomorrow, hope that will give some clarity. 

Sorry for so many questions. (
Regards

Mountainmystic · Answer

Hi Katrin--Thank you for the response. Don't worry about asking questions. It's an opportunity for learning for me, you, and many others.  I enjoy helping people when I can on subjects I know or feel inclined to learn about. I learn from you. You are aware of your body issues & sincerely want to figure out what's going on and get on with better health. Looking at everything you have written about your symptoms, I will try to shed some light on what I have figured out.

If your HDL (good healthy cholesterol) to LDL (bad cholesterol) is less than 3.5 to 1, that's one issue.  You are exercising and eating right, so that's good for increasing HDL & lowering LDL. Avoid saturated fat oils. Use olive oil instead. Eat high fiber fruits like apples & pears. Continue eating brown rice. whole grains, beans. Keep exercising. As far as the HDL & LDL ratio being out of range, and related to hypoglycemia. I did some research on that & learned that it can be a risk factor in type 2 diabetes possibly years down the road. If you don't have blood sugar issues now, just maintain the vegan healthy diet & exercise you are doing, and that will help in this regard.

I think the main issue you are having from what you wrote about your symptoms (fatigue, sleep, joint & muscle inflammation & pain)and adrenal issues is that you probably have adrenal fatigue.  Stress is the main factor in this. Adrenal fatigue is caused by long term stressors. Stress causes fatigue, fatigue causes stress. Lowers your immune system also. Poor adrenal function affects cortisol production. Your cortisol levels peak at 8 AM & falls between 12 & 4 AM.

I intuit that you have a lot of stress in your life. Many of us do, as we are driven A personality people, and our bodies & minds react to counter it, but wear down. You seem like you have a full schedule every day. Just an observation. Slow & down and smell the roses and cherry blossoms in Japan. Go to Mt. Fuji and feel the spiritual uplifting energy. I have never been to Japan, just seen photos. Listen to the music of the great Japanese musician, Kitaro. You will feel less stressed and feel more centered.

From what I read, you can try the following vitamins & herbal supplements: B12 for energy. Magnesium most important  for recovery from adrenal fatigue that is depleted with stress. Ashwgandha (Indian ginseng) used as an anti-inflammatory & immune system booster. Rhodiola herb for natural energy. root to boost adrenal support function.

My holistic dentist did the same thing--rubber dam in the mouth to prevent mercury amalgam bits & drilling water from going down into my stomach, suction vacuum tube under tongue as needed, & oxygen. Oxygen makes you feel less anxiety & stressed with a rubber dam in your mouth. Plus it's oxygenating your blood which is good. When I said root canals, I meant only if you have had a root canal procedure on your tooth/teeth. If roots are healthy, you don't get a root canal. If you had a root canal, you usually get a porcelain or gold crown on the tooth. Vitamin C is good for body in certain amounts & building immune system and reducing colds & flu potential. Drink orange juice or take a Vitamin C every day.

Your question about the detox. Put some Epsom salts and/or activated charcoal in a warm bathtub, and soak in it for 30 minutes to an hour. These will draw out the toxins ion your body. Then take a warm shower after that. Then be sure to drink lots of water for a few days after, to hydrate your body &  to flush the toxins out of your body via liver & kidneys. 

Best wishes for getting back on a good body, mind, and spirit centered health life.  You are very aware of your body and what it needs, so you shouldn't have any worries about not getting back to a normal energy level.  :)

veggienator_coaching · Answer

Get some protein in you first of all and go from there.

EmmaWilliam · Answer

I personally use Vegan Vitality's Multivitamin product https://vegan-vitality.co.uk/products/vegan-multivitamin. I find that this has helped me a lot

Here is their website -
https://vegan-vitality.co.uk/

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