Addison's Disease
Description
This page has 29 references
"Addison’s Disease" is a rare hormonal disorder where the adrenal glands fail to produce enough cortisol and aldosterone. Symptoms often include fatigue, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and salt cravings, which are easy to overlook. It’s commonly linked to autoimmune conditions like hypothyroidism. Lifelong hormone replacement is essential, but lifestyle changes—such as stress reduction, a balanced diet, and adequate salt intake—also support daily well-being. Early diagnosis can prevent serious complications and improve quality of life.
Symptoms & Signs
Body System
Endocrine System
Causes
Auto-Immune Reaction, Adrenal Insufficiency, Damage to Adrenal Glands, Tuberculosis, Fungal Infections, Cancer
Things To Do
Adjust your diet to a low-glycemic, high-protein one to better manage your condition. People suffering from Addison's disease should consume:
Foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, and sodium.
Large amounts of fresh [preferably organic] vegetables and fruits, such as leafy greens, avocados, broccoli, nuts, seeds, legumes, soybeans, mushrooms, onions, garlic, whole grains, apples, papayas, pears, strawberries, and pomegranates.
Lean protein, ocean fish, and shellfish.
Drink a lot of water to keep your body hydrated. Mineral water can help replenish essential micronutrients, such as electrolytes.
Additionally, make sure to:
Do moderate, regular exercise.
Get quality sleep and take care of your sleep hygiene.
Try meditation and frequent interaction with nature to manage stress.
Things To Avoid
In Addison's disease, it is important to avoid foods and ingredients that are processed, high in sugar, high in potassium, and high in caffeine. Make sure to stay away from:
Potassium-rich foods such as bananas, potatoes, spinach, dried fruits, dates, tomatoes, etc.
Processed, fried, and fatty foods.
Sugar, artificial sweeteners, sweetened beverages, coffee, tea, energy drinks, and alcohol.
Red meat, ham, and pork.
White flour, pastries, and baked goods.
Furthermore, reduce or eliminate:
Stress. It puts the adrenal glands under a lot of additional pressure.
Smoking.
Supplements
Direct Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These supplements directly support adrenal hormone production, restore adrenal function, or compensate for deficiencies characteristic of Addison’s disease.
Dehydroepiandrosterone: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) helps correct steroid hormone deficiencies in Addison's disease by supporting adrenal function and improving psychological well-being, including mood and cognitive function.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine and powerful antioxidant, supporting adrenal health. The adrenal glands store high levels of vitamin C, essential for hormone production and maintaining adrenal function in Addison's disease.
Vitamin B Complex: Vitamin B complex supports adrenal gland function by aiding in hormone regulation and energy production, helping to alleviate fatigue and other symptoms associated with adrenal insufficiency in Addison's disease.
Indirect Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These supplements help manage immune regulation or inflammation, which can support broader health in Addison’s patients but don’t directly act on adrenal hormone production.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiency is common in Addison's disease patients. Supplementing with Vitamin D supports immune function, bone health, and helps address deficiencies linked to adrenal insufficiency.
Natural Compounds
These natural compounds support adrenal balance or general hormonal stability. Their effects may be complementary but are not primary treatments.
No replicated and convincing research studies are available, and there is no anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of this method.
Plant Extracts
Direct Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These plant extracts mimic or assist adrenal hormone function, directly helping maintain homeostasis in Addison’s disease.
Licorice Root Extract: Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which mimics the effects of aldosterone, helping maintain electrolyte balance and regulate blood pressure in Addison's disease by supporting adrenal function.
Indirect Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These plant extracts may influence broader hormonal balance or indirectly support adrenal function through stress regulation or inflammation control.
No replicated and convincing research studies are available, and there is no anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of this method.
Alternative Treatments
These alternative therapies may support adrenal health by promoting hormonal stability, reducing stress impact, and improving systemic resilience.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture may regulate cortisol production by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, potentially improving adrenal gland function in Addison's disease. Points such as Kidney 3 (K3) near the ankle, Spleen 6 (SP6) above the ankle, and Stomach 36 (ST36) below the knee are commonly targeted to support adrenal and endocrine function.
Ayurveda: Ayurveda offers herbal remedies believed to support adrenal function by balancing hormones and promoting cortisone production. However, their use in treating Addison’s disease remains anecdotal and lacks scientific validation.
Chriopractic Care: Chiropractic care aims to restore nervous system balance through spinal manipulation, which may positively affect adrenal gland function and endocrine regulation in Addison’s disease.
Functional Lab Tests You May Wish to Explore
Books Worth Considering for Deeper Insight
Currently, no high-quality books meeting our functional, integrative, and natural healing standards are available for this condition. As soon as trusted resources are published, we will review and feature them here.
Podcasts That Offer Valuable Perspectives
Currently, no high-quality books meeting our functional, integrative, and natural healing standards are available for this condition. As soon as trusted resources are published, we will review and feature them here.
Educational Videos To Learn From
How Key Nutrients Support the Body
Herbal Extracts: Herbal extracts contain bioactive compounds with various medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. They have been used traditionally to support digestion, immunity, and overall health.
Other Nutrients: Other nutrients encompass a wide array of essential compounds crucial for various physiological functions. This category includes neurotransmitters and their precursors, which facilitate nerve signaling and are vital for central nervous system function. Additionally, naturally occurring structural components and biological detergents, such as phospholipids and bile salts, play critical roles in tissue repair, fat digestion, and overall bodily function. Phospholipids contribute to cell membrane integrity and fat emulsification, while bile salts are key to digesting and absorbing dietary fats. Hormones and their precursors regulate numerous physiological processes, including metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Furthermore, naturally occurring chemicals and metals play pivotal roles in enzymatic reactions, immune function, and overall health maintenance.
Vitamins: Vitamins are essential micronutrients that play diverse roles in supporting cellular processes, immune function, and overall health. They must be obtained through diet or supplementation to ensure proper bodily function.
Essential Nutrients Explained
References
[1] Rutkowski K, Sowa P, Rutkowska-Talipska J, Kuryliszyn-Moskal A, Rutkowski R. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): hypes and hopes. Drugs. 2014;74(11):1195-1207.
[2] Libè R, Barbetta L, Dall'Asta C, et al. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on hormonal, metabolic and behavioral status in patients with hypoadrenalism. J Endocrinol Invest. 2004;27(8):736-741.
[3] Genazzani AR, Inglese S, Lombardi I, et al. Long-term low-dose dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy in aging males with partial androgen deficiency. Aging Male. 2004;7(2):133-143.
[4] Hunt PJ, Gurnell EM, Huppert FA, et al. Improvement in mood and fatigue after dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in Addison's disease in a randomized, double blind trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000;85(12):4650-4656.
[5] Gebre-Medhin G, Husebye ES, Mallmin H, et al. Oral dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) replacement therapy in women with Addison's disease. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2000;52(6):775-780.
[6] Arlt W, Callies F, Allolio B. DHEA replacement in women with adrenal insufficiency--pharmacokinetics, bioconversion and clinical effects on well-being, sexuality and cognition. Endocr Res. 2000;26(4):505-511.
[7] Gurnell EM, Hunt PJ, Curran SE, et al. Long-term DHEA replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency: a randomized, controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93(2):400-409.
[8] Coles AJ, Thompson S, Cox AL, Curran S, Gurnell EM, Chatterjee VK. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in patients with Addison's disease has a bimodal effect on regulatory (CD4+CD25hi and CD4+FoxP3+) T cells. Eur J Immunol. 2005;35(12):3694-3703.
[9] Al-Aridi R, Abdelmannan D, Arafah BM. Biochemical diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency: the added value of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate measurements. Endocr Pract. 2011;17(2):261-270.
[10] Pulzer A, Burger-Stritt S, Hahner S. Morbus Addison : Primäre Nebenniereninsuffizienz [Addison's disease : Primary adrenal insufficiency]. Internist (Berl). 2016;57(5):457-469.
[11] DEANE HW, SHAW JH. Changes in the adrenal cortex and thymus induced by different B-vitamin deficiencies. Anat Rec. 1947;97(3):329.
[12] Uthappa NS, Kalyankar GD. Effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on adrenal hormones in rat. Indian J Med Res. 1985;82:333-340.
[13] Rose DP. The interactions between vitamin B6 and hormones. Vitam Horm. 1978;36:53-99.
[14] Mgongo FO, Gombe S, Ogaa JS. The influence of cobalt/vitamin B12 deficiency as a "stressor" affecting adrenal cortex and ovarian activities in goats. Reprod Nutr Dev. 1984;24(6):845-854.
[15] Camfield DA, Wetherell MA, Scholey AB, et al. The effects of multivitamin supplementation on diurnal cortisol secretion and perceived stress. Nutrients. 2013;5(11):4429-4450. Published 2013 Nov 11.
[16] Mahuren JD, Dubeski PL, Cook NJ, Schaefer AL, Coburn SP. Adrenocorticotropic hormone increases hydrolysis of B-6 vitamers in swine adrenal glands. J Nutr. 1999;129(10):1905-1908.
[17] Penna-Martinez M, Filmann N, Bogdanou D, et al. High-dose vitamin D in Addison's disease regulates T-cells and monocytes: A pilot trial. Nutrition. 2018;49:66-73.
[18] Muscogiuri G, Altieri B, Penna-Martinez M, Badenhoop K. Focus on vitamin D and the adrenal gland. Horm Metab Res. 2015;47(4):239-246.
[19] Pani MA, Seissler J, Usadel KH, Badenhoop K. Vitamin D receptor genotype is associated with Addison's disease. Eur J Endocrinol. 2002;147(5):635-640.
[20] Penna-Martinez M, Meyer G, Wolff AB, et al. Vitamin D status and pathway genes in five European autoimmune Addison's disease cohorts. Eur J Endocrinol. 2021;184(3):373-381.
[21] Muscogiuri G, Bhattoa HP. Vitamin D and endocrine disorders: routine laboratory diagnostic implications. EJIFCC. 2018;29(2):111-116. Published 2018 Jul 11.
[22] Zawadzka K, Matwiej K, Sokołowski G, Trofimiuk-Müldner M, Skalniak A, Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A. Vitamin D status and its associations with clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with Addison's disease. Folia Med Cracov. 2021;61(2):65-78.
[23] Murray MT. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice). Textbook of Natural Medicine. 2020;641-647.e3.
[24] Methlie P, Husebye EE, Hustad S, Lien EA, Løvås K. Grapefruit juice and licorice increase cortisol availability in patients with Addison's disease. Eur J Endocrinol. 2011;165(5):761-769.
[25] Cooper H, Bhattacharya B, Verma V, McCulloch AJ, Smellie WS, Heald AH. Liquorice and soy sauce, a life-saving concoction in a patient with Addison's disease. Ann Clin Biochem. 2007;44(Pt 4):397-399.
[26] Lee SC, Yin SJ, Lee ML, Tsai WJ, Sim CB. Effects of acupuncture on serum cortisol level and dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity in normal Chinese. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1982;10(01n04):62-9.
[27] Huang W, Taylor A, Howie J, Robinson N. Is the diurnal profile of salivary cortisol concentration a useful marker for measuring reported stress in acupuncture research? A randomized controlled pilot study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2012 Mar 1;18(3):242-50.
[28] Wassung K. Chiropractic, Hormones & the Endocrine System.
[29]Padayachy K, Vawda GH, Shaik J, McCarthy PW. The immediate effect of low back manipulation on serum cortisol levels in adult males with mechanical low back pain. Clinical Chiropractic. 2010 Dec 1;13(4):246-52.