EP15: The Silent Epidemic: How Adrenal Fatigue Hijacks Midlife with Amber Ratcliffe

Dare To Age Well Now

Summary

In this episode, Angela Belford interviews Amber Ratcliffe, founder and CEO of Arbor Health Functional Medicine and Psychiatry. They discuss the intricate relationship between physical and mental health, emphasizing that many mental health issues stem from physical imbalances. Amber shares her personal journey of experiencing adrenal fatigue after years of high stress and how she discovered functional medicine as a solution. The conversation covers the importance of proper testing, nutrition, and lifestyle changes in addressing adrenal fatigue and improving overall health.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health issues often have physical root causes.
• Functional medicine focuses on finding the root cause of health issues.
• Adrenal fatigue is a common but often overlooked condition.
• Stress can lead to significant physical health problems.
• Proper testing is crucial for diagnosing adrenal fatigue.
• Nutrition plays a vital role in recovery from adrenal fatigue.
• Gentle exercise and adequate sleep are essential for healing.
• Electrolyte balance is important for adrenal health.
• Lifestyle changes can significantly improve mental and physical well-being.
• Support from functional medicine can lead to lasting recovery.

Quotes

• "I was running on adrenaline."
• "Exercise isn't the answer."
• "Cortisol is not all bad."
• "Not all salt is created equal."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Functional Medicine and Mental Health

03:05 The Connection Between Physical and Mental Health

06:01 Personal Journey: From High Functioning to Adrenal Fatigue

08:57 Identifying Adrenal Fatigue and Its Symptoms

12:04 Addressing Adrenal Fatigue: Testing and Treatment

14:52 Practical Solutions for Recovery

17:58 The Importance of Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes

21:02 Conclusion and Resources

Ready to connect with Amber? Her website is: https://www.arbor-health.com/