It isn’t always easy to know which supplements you should take to support your health. There’s so much conflicting information out there on supplements. Also, when you have Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS), you need to be more careful with supplements. However, you probably have not thought about when you take your supplements. This can influence how they’re absorbed and whether your body gets the most from your nutrition. So, if you want to cover gaps in your diet, then you should speak with a medical professional about scheduling supplements.
There’s a lot of controversy about using dietary supplements, but the statistics show an increase in their usage. Up to 75 percent of adults take dietary supplements in the USA, which is an increase of 10 percent in nine years. This statistic includes adults of all ages. However, people over 55 years are more likely to take dietary supplements, as their usage rate stands at 78 percent. But other age groups aren’t far behind. Around 77 percent of people aged 35-54 take supplements regularly, compared to 69 percent of people aged 18-34.
There are a variety of dietary supplements available today, such as vitamins, herbals and botanicals, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. They come in tablets, powders, energy bars, drinks, and capsules. Certain supplements seem to go in and out of popular use. New studies regularly emerge that extol the benefits of particular supplements for health concerns. So, if you’re thinking about taking supplements, you might be confused about which ones to take. But one thing that hardly anyone mentions is the idea of scheduling supplements. This process can make all the difference if you want to get the most out of using supplements.
Scheduling supplements are particularly important if you’re suffering from adrenal fatigue. However, you must be very cautious when you adopt this strategy. If you supplement incorrectly, you could worsen your AFS condition.
Supplements can lead to adverse reactions when you have AFS. Therefore, you must be careful about what you take, as well as how and when you take them. When you have AFS, your body is in a state of severe stress. Your body has a unique level of stress tolerance for stress. This is due to your NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response and how well it protects your body from the effects of stress. When you’re under stress for a long period of time, this system makes changes throughout your body to help you cope. The adrenal glands are a key part of this coping mechanism, and they can also be the first to suffer in the face of ongoing stress.
Your adrenal glands are responsible for releasing the stress hormone cortisol. This can be a very beneficial hormone if you’re in a stressful situation. But when you’re always stressed, then the adrenal glands can become fatigued and start to struggle. This causes problems in connected systems and organs. Also, the high levels of cortisol may cause imbalance and damage throughout the body.
This situation can be difficult to correct and this is where supplements may be used. However, if you start using supplements while suffering from AFS, then you may just make the problem worse. That’s why you need to talk to a trained professional about taking supplements, and whether you should be scheduling these supplements.
Supplements may seem harmless, but the truth is that they can be dangerous when you have AFS. The key to adrenal fatigue recovery is to lower your stress levels and improve your diet. An important part of this process can be supplementation, but this process must be gradual.
When you have AFS, your body is highly stressed and may react negatively to any unexpected health interventions. Additionally, because of problems with the gut and digestion, you may also risk a paradoxical reaction. This could then worsen your AFS symptoms. If you have adrenal fatigue, then you may experience severe side effects from supplements that others take with no problems. It’s important that you get the guidance of a trained medical professional when taking dietary supplements.
Now let’s explore a guide to scheduling supplements for the best results:
Vitamin C like Adrenal Support is one of the most popular supplements available. The most common side effect is nausea, particularly if you’re taking doses above 1,000 milligrams. If this happens, then try to split the doses. This will also help improve absorption and keep your levels steady all day. However, try not to take vitamin C past 2 pm, as some sensitive persons may have issues during sleep. You can also try buffered or liposomal forms like LipoNano C, which tend to be easier on the stomach. Also, avoid taking vitamin B12 at the same time, as vitamin C may hinder its absorption. Due to the fast degradation curve of ascorbic acid, the proper blend, delivery system, dosage, and frequency is needed to maintain a sustained cellular level.
Fish oil is another popular supplement on the market like this Liquid OM-3. However, the most common side effect is heartburn. You generally take 500 to 600 milligrams of fish oil twice a day with food - which helps reduce nausea or heartburn. You should also avoid physical activity shortly afterward to reduce any negative reactions. But, if you still experience side effects, try an emulsified version for easier digestion. Taking up to 3000 milligrams of fish oil at nights may also aid with sleep. Fish oil supplements can boost your digestive absorption, especially if you’re eating healthy fats at the same time.
Calcium can help improve bone health and it’s best taken with food and in two small doses each day. This will increase its absorption and decrease your chances of developing a kidney stone. Scheduling supplements is important in this case, as you should never take calcium at the same time as zinc and iron, as it may reduce the absorption of these other supplements.
Calcium is often taken with magnesium, which is also essential for bone health. Just be aware that this might slightly lower your absorption of each. If you experience stomach problems when you take this supplement, then try chelated forms as they tend to be easier on the stomach.
Nowadays, many foods are fortified with calcium, so you might not need to add a calcium supplement. This is especially true if your diet is alkaline-based with lots of vegetables. If you are taking thyroid medications, check with your doctor, as calcium can interfere with the absorption of your thyroid medications.
Probiotics like Adrebiotics and Pro-B are another popular supplement. When you’re scheduling supplements it can be a little difficult to get this supplement right. Taking probiotics 30 minutes before a meal that includes some healthy fats may help the probiotics last in your digestive tract. However, taking this supplement with your meals may do the same thing more effectively. You should try both methods to see what works best for you. Never take probiotics after a meal, as this is when probiotic survival will be the lowest.
Iron should be taken in the morning with a glass of orange juice on an otherwise empty stomach for maximum absorption. Foods or drinks containing vitamin C will boost absorption. However, never take it with coffee or milk, as this can interfere with its absorption. Make sure that you take your iron supplements at least 2 hours before you take a multivitamin or vitamin E. You should also avoid the ferrous sulfate form if you experience constipation.
When you’re scheduling supplements, your vitamin D timing will depend on your meals. It’s best taken with a heavy meal for better absorption, which is why lots of people take it with dinner. However, if you eat late, then it may interfere with melatonin production and disrupts your sleep. In that case, you should take it with lunch instead. Whenever you take it, make sure it’s with a meal that includes a healthy balance of good fats, as it is a fat-soluble vitamin like the D3K2.
It’s best to split your B complex vitamins as your body can only absorb a certain amount at a time. Splitting your dose ensures a steady level of this vitamin all day. Avoid taking them at night, as they tend to give you an energy boost. You should also take them on an empty stomach where possible. But if you experience nausea when you do this, eat a little food at the same time to alleviate the discomfort.
The idea of scheduling supplements isn’t usually introduced when you decide to improve your health with supplements. And yet it could be the key to getting the maximum benefits from your health routine. However, if you have adrenal fatigue and try taking supplements, then get the assistance of a medical professional who’s aware of your condition. This will help you avoid side effects such as paradoxical reactions, or any other negative consequences from this change.
Scheduling supplements can be difficult, and you should only do it with the help of a trained medical professional. If you get it right, it means that you can get the maximum health benefits, and you may even be able to avoid side effects.
