You Don't Have Adrenal Fatigue. So What's Really Going On? — Muscle Maven Radio Episode #24

Back by popular demand, Ashleigh brings on Dr. Ralph Esposito, naturopathic physician and hormone whisperer to talk about a subject that's important to the fitness community but largely misunderstood: adrenal fatigue. While many of us have suffered the symptoms and perhaps even been diagnosed, our understanding of the mechanisms behind our adrenal system is often flawed, as is our approach to supporting our adrenal health. Ralph walks us through what's really happening when we "think" we have adrenal fatigue, discusses many lifestyle and supplemental factors that can help us improve and manage chronic stress and fatigue, and we talk about whether or not it's even possible to address these issues with young, healthy, type-A athletes, or whether they need to learn the hard way that rest and recovery is as important as training.

Dr. Ralph Esposito is a New York based naturopathic physician, acupuncturist and functional medicine practitioner specializing in integrative urology, men's health and nutrigenomics. He has designed education modules for health professionals specifically on urological conditions, male and female hormone dysfunction, hypogonadism, exercise, men's health and sexual dysfunction. He's an adjunct professor at New York University where he lectures on integrative medicine. Currently, Dr. Esposito serves as a medical consultant and research analyst.

Show Overview:

Minute Breakdown:

6-19 Catching up with Dr. Esposito including his more recent research on sleep and fasting and some especially compelling herbal supplements for hormone health and support

19 – 30 We talk about his experiments with fasting and why, despite evidence of its benefits, it is not ideal for everyone

30 - 46 Ralph explains why you don't have adrenal fatigue, even if it feels like it. What's being diagnosed is really a chronic stress and fatigue issue as a result of over work, over training, over stress, and poor lifestyle factors. We talk about Addison's disease, and what the two different challenges look and feel like

46 - 56 Ways to address chronic stress and fatigue – and we dive into the psychology of it, why it's so difficult for Type A, ambitious people to address the obvious lifestyle factors that are keeping them from optimal health and performance

56 - A discussion on some adaptogens and herbal supplements that can help with chronic fatigue; why we tend to discount or mistrust herbal remedies; how to make sure you're getting the good stuff

Follow Dr. Esposito on Instagram @dr.ralphesposito and learn more at drralphesposito.com.

Reach out to me on Instagram @themusclemaven to say hi and tell me what you thought of the podcast, head to ashleighvanhouten.com to sign up for my weekly health and fitness newsletter, and if you enjoyed the episode please share on social media and leave me a nice rating and review on iTunes!

Learn more about how Beekeeper's Naturals can support immunity, energy, and health for active people – check out www.beekeepersnaturals.com/musclemaven to see some of Ashleigh's favorite products and use the code musclemaven for a 15 percent discount on anything you buy!

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Show notes: http://www.shruggedcollective.com/mmr-adrenal

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Shrugged Collective is a network of fitness, health and performance shows that help people achieve their physical and mental health goals. Usually in the gym, but outside as well. In 2012 they posted their first Barbell Shrugged podcast and have been putting out weekly free videos and podcasts ever since.

Along the way we've created successful online coaching programs including The Shrugged Strength Challenge, The Muscle Gain Challenge, FLIGHT, Barbell Shredded, and Barbell Bikini.

We're also dedicated to helping affiliate gym owners grow their businesses and better serve their members by providing owners tools and resources like the Barbell Business Podcast.

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