Salt & Adrenals

The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys and act as the body’s stress-response center. They produce hormones for “fight or flight” (epinephrine) and maintain daily functions like energy, blood sugar, blood pressure, muscle strength, and immune regulation. The adrenals also regulate sodium balance. Adequate unrefined salt supports them; refined salt depletes minerals and accelerates exhaustion.

Physiology of the Adrenal Glands

There are two parts to the adrenal glands:

1. The adrenal cortex is the outer part of the glands. It produces mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), glucocorticoids (cortisol), and sex hormones (DHEA, progesterone, estrogens, testosterone, pregnenolone).

2. The adrenal medulla is the inner part of the glands. It secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) for acute stress response.

Prolonged stress overworks the glands, leading to declining cortical hormones. Sustained epinephrine (adrenaline) elevation causes anxiety, panic, and hypertension. Adrenal exhaustion often co-occurs with thyroid dysfunction.

Adrenal Exhaustion: A Modern Epidemic

Chronic stress, poor diet, and mineral deficiencies drive adrenal exhaustion leading to deficiencies in aldosterone, cortisol, DHEA, pregnenolone, progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. Symptoms include profound fatigue, brain fog, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, poor exercise tolerance, and immune dysfunction.

Adrenal exhaustion contributes to chronic illnesses: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, thyroid problems, obesity, arthritis, and increased cancer risk.

Aldosterone: Key Regulator of Salt and Blood Pressure

Aldosterone (mineralocorticoid) secreted by the adrenals control sodium and potassium. Sodium stays out of the cell; potassium in the cell. Low sodium triggers aldosterone release, prompting kidneys to retain sodium and water, raising blood pressure.

In adrenal exhaustion, orthostatic hypotension occurs. Orthostatic occurs when you stand up your blood pressure drops causing dizziness, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. This is common in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune conditions.

Impact of Low-Salt Diets on Adrenals

Low-salt intake signals sodium deficiency. Adrenals increase aldosterone to retain sodium, shifting water extracellularly and dehydrating cells. Prolonged elevation depletes potassium and magnesium, impairing energy production and promoting chronic illness.

Refined salt worsens imbalance, high sodium without minerals creates swelling and hypertension. Standard low-salt advice often fails long-term and ignores mineral depletion.

Refined Salt vs. Unrefined Salt for Adrenal Health

Refined salt (pure NaCl + additives) lacks magnesium, potassium, and trace minerals essential for adrenal hormone synthesis. Excess use causes mineral deficits, sodium-potassium imbalance, and exhaustion.

Unrefined salt (Celtic, Himalayan, Redmond) provides sodium balanced with over 80 minerals, including high magnesium, nature’s adrenal calmer and cofactor for hormone production. Magnesium deficiency is widespread; unrefined salt helps correct it.

Cortisol and Other Hormones

Cortisol regulates immunity, vascular tone, and blood sugar. Acute stress raises cortisol; chronic stress exhausts production, leading to low cortisol on 24-hour urine tests, linked to chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and autoimmunity.

Sex hormones (DHEA, progesterone, estrogens, testosterone, pregnenolone) support muscle growth, libido, and brain function. They drop in adrenal exhaustion; natural supplementation often helps.

Summary

Adrenal health depends on balanced sodium and minerals. Unrefined salt supplies both, preventing aldosterone overdrive, cellular dehydration, and exhaustion. In practice, patients with fatigue, low blood pressure, brain fog, and immune issues improve markedly with unrefined salt, adequate water, mineral supplementation, and holistic support.

Replace refined salt completely; use unrefined to taste. Optimal adrenal function supports energy, immunity, hormone balance, and blood pressure stability. In the next article, continue reading more about Salt & Thyroid.

Disclaimer: The content presented on this website serves educational and informational purposes and is not meant to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor for any inquiries concerning medical conditions. Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice based on information obtained from this website.