Evidence supporting the use of: Sodium
For the body system: Adrenal Glands

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Sodium has a longstanding place in traditional approaches to adrenal support, particularly in the context of “adrenal fatigue”—a concept common in alternative and naturopathic medicine rather than mainstream clinical practice. Historically, practitioners have linked sodium needs to the adrenal cortex’s production of aldosterone, a hormone involved in sodium retention and fluid balance. In cases of true adrenal insufficiency (such as Addison’s disease), sodium loss is a real concern, and increasing sodium intake is medically indicated. However, for general adrenal “support” in otherwise healthy individuals, the rationale is largely traditional: the idea being that under chronic stress, the adrenals purportedly underperform, leading to decreased aldosterone and consequent sodium wasting. Some traditional protocols recommend the addition of salt or sodium-rich foods to assist with symptoms like fatigue and low blood pressure, believed to be linked to suboptimal adrenal function. Scientific evidence for sodium supplementation in the context of non-pathological adrenal function is limited. Mainstream endocrinology does not recognize “adrenal fatigue” as a valid diagnosis, and there are no robust clinical trials demonstrating that sodium supplementation benefits the adrenal glands in healthy people. Thus, while sodium is crucial in cases of diagnosed adrenal insufficiency, its use as a general adrenal tonic relies more on tradition than on scientific validation.

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