Adrenal Support in Prednisone

Recently, a Prednisone Warrior asked me about adrenal support while tapering:

“Need recommendation for adrenal support… as I enter final (hopefully) stage of Prednisone tapering down at 2.5 mg.”

While I’ve got my own ideas for how to do this, I decided this time to ask my fellow pharmacist and expert at adrenal recovery for her advice.

Dr. Izabella Wentz is a New York Times Bestselling author and generously shared 14 strategies for adrenal support while tapering off prednisone.

These strategies not only help while tapering off prednisone, but if actually put into practice, can help prevent needing prednisone in the future.

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Adrenal Support for Steroid Tapering

Guest Post by Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Steroid medications are often used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response in a variety of conditions like asthma, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and allergic reactions.

As we know, prednisone can be life-saving for some people, but it can also come with a long list of side effects…

One of the more troublesome side effects we see with prolonged steroid medication use is pituitary suppression.

Chronic use of corticosteroids impacts the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, by altering the feedback loops in the HPA. Because steroids act like cortisol in the body, certain receptors send the message to our body to stop its natural production of cortisol.

This shutdown of cortisol production can potentially cause adrenal insufficiency after corticosteroid treatment stops. Adrenal insufficiency is a very serious and potentially life-threatening condition.

Many people want to stop steroids, but the withdrawal process (also known as steroid withdrawal syndrome) can be intense.

In addition to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, extreme fatigue, fever, joint pain, and mood swings, people may also end up with compromised adrenal function.

Adrenal insufficiency following stopping oral treatment of steroids is no small issue. For those who experience it, it improves over time, but we still see 40% of people experiencing it six months after cessation, 20% two years after cessation, and 5% three years after cessation.

The good news is that there are ways to support your adrenals while tapering off your medications, and I’m going to share some natural ways to ease the transition on your body.

First thing’s first – it’s vitally important to taper off slowly and carefully under the care of your doctor.

Never suddenly stop taking your medication.

In order to support the adrenals, we have to focus on what I call sending “safety signals” to the body.

Through the foods we eat (and don’t eat), the ways we act, and the strategies we employ to rest and boost oxytocin (known as the “love hormone”), we can promote feelings of safety and calm, helping bring your adrenals back into balance.

14 Safety Signals for Adrenal Balance

I’ve identified 14 safety signals that are crucial for adrenal balance. Here’s a brief overview of each signal:

1. Nutrient-density

I encourage you to eat high-quality, nutrient-dense foods, emphasizing fats and proteins, which let the body know that its nutrition needs will be met. Highly processed foods that are full of empty calories send a message that our food supply is scarce, triggering our stress response and survival mode.

2. Lowered Inflammation

Poor gut health can be a major source of chronic inflammation – a top stressor that can contribute to adrenal imbalance. We will focus on reducing inflammation in the digestive system by removing the top inflammatory foods, adding gut-supporting foods. weight: 400;”>And using targeted supplements like the beneficial yeast Saccharomyces Boulardii.

3. Balanced blood sugar

Wild swings in blood sugar put stress on the body and contribute to adrenal dysfunction, and this can often feel like fatigue, irritability, anger, or anxiety. We balance blood sugar by lowering carbohydrate intake and focusing on protein and healthy fats at meals, and eating regularly.

4. Hydration

You may think only athletes need to replenish electrolytes to stay hydrated. But those with adrenal dysfunction are often deficient in electrolytes like sodium and potassium and stand to gain physical and mental stamina by maintaining adequate levels. Make sure you’re consuming adequate amounts of natural sea salt (not iodized salt).

5. Supporting Mitochondria

Mitochondria produce ATP, our body’s main source of energy. When mitochondria become damaged or impaired and are no longer working optimally. We may experience low energy and fatigue and dysregulation of our adrenal hormones. We can support mitochondria by supplying them with the nutrients they need to thrive – healthy fats from our diet. B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, D-ribose, and my personal favorite – carnitine.

6. Circadian Rhythm Reset

When this natural rhythm becomes disrupted, our energy levels and sleep are profoundly affected. We may experience daytime fatigue and all-around low energy, or a tired-but-wired feeling that makes it difficult to fall asleep at night, even when the body is exhausted. Try to get outside into natural sunlight within an hour of waking (or use a light therapy lamp).Get as much sunshine as you can throughout the day, and limit bright light exposure and devices in the evening.

7. Positive Thought Patterns

Research has shown that negative thoughts can cause inflammation in our bodies. Which can contribute to the development of all sorts of health issues. A positive mindset will support the body’s healing process.

8. Pleasurable Activities

Allocating time for self-care is essential for healing, as it can counteract stress, which will benefit our adrenals. The oxytocin burst of pleasure we get when doing things we enjoy shifts us away from stress and creates healing.

9. Do Something Just Because

This sends a powerful safety signal to the body by rooting us in the present moment, increasing our awareness and mindfulness. Putting us in a perfect balance of sympathetic focus with parasympathetic relaxation and regeneration, known as the “flow state.”

10. Gentle Movement

We know that movement can help our bodies heal. But in times of adrenal stress, the wrong type of movement can be overwhelming and actually deepen our adrenal dysfunction. Focus on adrenal-supportive forms of movement like walking, pilates, and yoga.

11. Slow Your Breath

We tend to breathe very quickly and shallowly when we are stressed. This in turn speeds up our heart rate and shifts the body into a sympathetic state. Taking long, deep breaths signals to our bodies that we are safe, and can shift us into a healing, parasympathetic state.

12. Create Healthy Coping Strategies

Many of us have unhealthy coping strategies that we turn to in times of stress, or when we feel emotionally activated. This could look like eating sweets, drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or doom scrolling on your phone – basically anything to distract us from our feelings!

Creating healthy coping strategies (learning to pause, taking a walk, journaling, etc.) will empower us to be less reactive to situations in our lives, and reduce stress.

13. Let Go of Heaviness

Many of us carry the heaviness of resentment, limiting beliefs, and trauma that keeps us stuck in a fight-or-flight state and prevents us from healing. It’s important to identify and work through these beliefs, so that your body can find a sense of safety and calm.

14. Healthy Boundaries

When we set boundaries with loved ones, our job, and with other people and activities. We are protecting ourselves and limiting our exposure to stress while being respectful to others and letting them know what they can expect from us. 

Adrenal Transformation Protocol

I cover all of these safety signals in depth in my book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol.

The book outlines a simple program to follow to help bring your adrenals back into balance. Cultivate the tools for optimal energy levels, mental clarity, great sleep, and a great mood. The book includes practices and habits that you can start before tapering off steroids, to help build resilience in your body.

They can greatly help you during the transition off of them, and provide you with long-term adrenal support.

Get the Book

*If you purchase the book through this link below, I may receive a small commission, which will not change the price you pay and helps me with my mission to minimize prednisone side effects.

Adrenal Transformation Protocol

Testimonial

Hi Dr. Megan

I  want to thank you SO much for recommending the book, “Adrenal Transformation Protocol”.  I purchased it and read it (more like absorbed it).  I love how she incorporates the whole picture (mental/emotional/physical, etc).

I hope to implement the program soon.  But I feel like I finally found people who get it!  I do have very low cortisol from the prednisone use (I’m working on weaning, but  it’s been VERY difficult).  Your site and videos and then adding this book, really helps me feel ‘heard’ (which I don’t get from my current, soon to be former, provider).

Thanks for all you do.