What is adrenal exhaustion?

The adrenal glands

Although they form part of the HPA axis (a complex set of relationships and signals between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the adrenals), the adrenal glands themselves are situated far away from the brain— just above the kidneys. (The word “adrenal” is Latin for near the kidneys.)

These important glands secrete aldosterone, which is integral to the proper functioning of the kidneys, but they also play an important role in many of the body’s systems.

When we are stressed, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary to “message” the adrenal glands, which instantly release stress hormones. The most significant of these are adrenaline and cortisol.

The purpose of these stress hormones is to help us in times of true emergency (the fight or flight response), but their constant secretion can exert a profoundly negative effect on the body. Over time, the adrenals themselves become stressed, leading to a range of symptoms collectively known as adrenal exhaustion.

While the symptoms of adrenal exhaustion vary from person to person, they most commonly involve the inability to sleep, fatigue, lack of energy in the mornings and/or afternoons, increase in energy in the late evenings, irritability, cravings for sweet foods, weight gain and a weakened immune response.

Purica VITALITY Adrenal Support formula contains a combination of natural ingredients recognized for their ability to calm and restore balance within overworked adrenal glands.