Naturopathic Care for Addison’s Disease: Natural Solutions for Adrenal Health

Addison’s disease is a rare autoimmune condition that may put your life at risk due to the lack of adrenocortical hormones, namely aldosterone, cortisol, and androgens from the destruction of both of your adrenal cortices. The importance of these hormones to your body’s optimal functioning cannot be understated, since these primarily drive the regulation and production of processes that make your organs do their jobs properly! The naturopathic approach for Addison’s disease targets the root causes of inflammation to achieve and maintain remission, thereby nurturing the balance of these hormones and regulating the processes that keep your body strong and healthy.
​

Understanding Addison’s Disease

Autoimmune adrenalitis, commonly known as Addison’s disease, occurs due to the presence of high levels of 21-hydroxylase antibodies, which attack and destroy the outer layer of your adrenal glands instead of protecting it from harm.1 Damage to the adrenal cortex can disrupt the synthesis and distribution of hormones, including androgens, cortisol, and aldosterone, which can disrupt your sex hormones and stress response. Approximately 50% of individuals diagnosed with Addison’s disease develop a different type of autoimmune condition when hormone levels are not normalized and balanced, significantly affecting quality of life and long-term well-being.
​

Signs and Symptoms

The course of Addison’s disease is unknown, and its symptoms may appear gradually and differently between individuals, causing a higher possibility of misdiagnosis or late recognition. One of the most dangerous situations attributable to this disease is the development of an adrenal crisis, which is an emergency situation that can cause irreparable damage to your organs if not promptly managed! Unfortunately, most people with Addison’s disease are only ever diagnosed after experiencing this medical emergency. When such occurs, you may have very low blood pressure, blood sugar, and sodium levels in the body, but very high potassium count! This is very alarming, and may cause confusion or loss of consciousness, rapid breathing and heart rate, excessive sweating, dehydration, and pain.
​

Allopathic Options

Since the disease condition primarily affects a special organ that produces three critical types of hormones, life-long hormone replacement is needed in people with Addison’s disease.1 Additionally, close and careful monitoring is needed to prevent fluctuations in hormone levels that can cause diabetes (high blood pressure) and osteoporosis (brittle bones).
​

Naturopathic Care for Addison’s Disease

The naturopathic approach for individuals with Addison’s disease focuses on reestablishing and maintaining balance of processes within the body by targeting the root cause of inflammation. This is achieved through a holistic approach that encompasses the right nutritive practices for your unique case, lifestyle changes to support your body’s natural recovery and avoid stress, supplementation with nutrients that can prevent and inhibit inflammation, and the best herbal remedies that are effective in helping your body regulate its hormone levels while exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. ​

Intuitive Eating

Damage to your adrenal cortex is primarily driven by a chronic inflammatory process, causing the unending production of autoantibodies that attack your cells rather than protecting them. A simple yet effective way to help regulate this inflammatory response is by practicing responsible and intuitive eating practices, where you follow your body’s natural signals of when to eat and when to stop eating and at the same time take into consideration foods that actually help reduce and prevent inflammation. Talking to your naturopathic doctors will help you in incorporating the best nutritive practices for your unique case and preference.
​

Botanical Medicine

​Herbs that help reduce inflammation and unwanted stress are often safe and effective remedies in managing Addison’s disease. These include:
 
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).
With wonderful ingredients that regulate the balance of your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis,  ashwagandha can help prevent the development of an overactive response against stressors, thereby avoiding unwanted inflammation. To learn more about the wonders of ashwagandha for stress relief, we have the perfect blog post for you!

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra).
​Rich in glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) which forms a shield that protects your red blood cells (RBCs) from destruction, preventing the uncontrolled development of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause toxic effects in the body.2 Interestingly, licorice root also help regulate cortisol levels by acting on 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes, increasing the availability of this hormone to different body tissues and processes.3  

---

​And many more! 
 
It is important to remember that the use of herbs is not for everyone and should be explored with your naturopathic doctor to identify the best remedy for your health and preferences. Licorice root, for instance, can raise your blood pressure. Its intake should be supervised by your healthcare provider. Since risks on blood pressure control are associated with the use of licorice root, you may have to explore another herbal remedy for your health or take a deglycerrhated supplement rather than the whole herb, all of which should be guided by your naturopathic doctors. Additionally, most herbs should not be taken during pregnancy or lactation. Consulting with your healthcare provider and naturopathic doctor is crucial to evaluate the safety and risk profile of these natural concoctions.
​

Nurturing your Adrenal Health

Regaining and nurturing the health of your adrenal glands requires an approach that considers your whole well-being, rather than just depending on life-long medications to replenish hormone deficiency. As a wonderful reminder, your body is incredibly made with the ability to naturally heal itself. With the right support and holistic care, you can help nurture this gift and maintain the balance that controls and protects the body from harm outside and within. Take charge of your health today!

become a client

​​This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.

REFERENCES:

1. Munir S, Quintanilla Rodriguez BS, Waseem M. Addison Disease. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; January 30, 2024.
2. Sabbadin C, Bordin L, Donà G, Manso J, Avruscio G, Armanini D. Licorice: From Pseudohyperaldosteronism to Therapeutic Uses. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2019;10:484. Published 2019 Jul 18. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00484
3. 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. doi:10.1530/EJE-11-0518​