This is Dr. Lam from drlam.com.
Today we’re going to talk about the question whether fluid balance and salt loading in
particular is indicated in the situation of adrenal fatigue.
First of all, let’s understand that fluid and electrolyte balance is a very complex
topic, especially when it presents in the adrenal fatigue setting.
The reason is because this is actually a late symptom, and by the time you can sense that
there’s a significant amount of electrolyte and fluid imbalance the body is usually quite
weak.
Now let us rewind the clock a little bit.
Now when you have adrenal fatigue the symptoms of craving salt and low blood pressure is
quite common.
And this reflects an underlying aldosterone imbalance, which is a hormone that regulate
salt retention.
So in adrenal fatigue, especially in the earlier and the milder cases, and as it progresses
the symptom of salt craving, low blood pressure tend to increase.
Well the question then becomes, should you replenish the salt?
Now in most cases, and I have to say most because it’s not in all cases, a salt retention
by salt loading, by either taking salt with water or salting your food can be beneficial
towards the adrenals.
But this can only be beneficial if there’s no other issues going on such as cardiac problem
as well as blood pressure issues that is on the other side of the spectrum.
In another words, salt can help the adrenals, but salt can also be its enemy if it’s not
properly titrated.
Now when it comes to fluid, on the other hand, it’s a very different issue because it’s
not only about salt, having enough in the body, but it’s about the salt being in balance
with potassium as well as other electrolytes.
We are also dealing with volume issues that can be occupying the vascular wall.
In another words, when the body first have a salt craving in adrenal fatigue, most people
can benefit from salt loading.
However, as the body get progressively worse it turns into a electrolyte imbalance involving
other minerals such as I said earlier potassium and chloride, et cetera.
And when this happens then simple salt loading may actually makes the matter worse.
At the same time, if you simply increase volume without adding the salt it can also create
another set of problems.
So by the time, if you are really seriously thinking about salt loading as a way, it may
be considered provided that you talk to your healthcare professional who really understand
the situation.
Salt loading has its place but it has to be properly done.
Potassium, aldosterone, are all intricate factors that play into this.
On top of that if you are not careful with salt loading you can affect the kidneys.
You can affect the liver function as well as cardiac function.
So balancing cardiac function, kidney functions, fluid, electrolytes, and ultimately the pH
of the body are all factors that have to be considered if a person is to go on a salt
loading type program, more than just regular salting the food or just putting a little
bit of salt in water.
And the reason is because once you talk about the salt loading we are talking about much
more salt that the body may physiologically able to handle.
And this type of program can be very aggressive.
And if a body is weak and is fragile it can swing the other way.
And these are not very pleasant things to have.
So in summary if you are thinking about salt replenishment, this is okay as a trial in
adrenal fatigue if your case is mild.
If you are thinking about salt loading do not proceed without the recommendation and
the close supervision of your adrenal fatigue literate provider.