I've only recently found out that I have Addisons and was wondering about diets. I've read a lot of case studies, but there seems to be no regular diet that other sufferers use.
The doctor said eat healthy, does this include all meats & vegetables or are some better for me than others.
Honestly I'm a little worried about my health now and want to give my body all the advantages I can.
If you have a favorite meal that helps you could you pass it along to me.

My DR.s suggested that I salt my food alittle more,as Addison's patients loss potassium and electrolytes so easily. The loss of potassium will cause leg cramping. So,eating Bananas is nessecery. Also try to drink your 8 glasses of water it's important to stay hydrated especially in the hot weather!!

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Addison's and Diabetis Suffer!

[This message has been edited by pixie2dw (edited 08-11-2002).]

[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 08-25-2002).]

Rob, the book "Adrenal Fatigue: 21st century stress syndrome" by James Wilson has some good guidelines on diet and lifestyle changes. Granted it is written for those with less severe manifestations of adrenal deficiency, but nevertheless, the diet and lifestyle advice woudl be pertinient to you as well.

Pixie is right that we need to stay hydrated, but I'm not sure of the potassium. Some of us tend toward having high potassium, but low sodium, and it would be worthwhile to have electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, etc) monitored until you are sure you are taking care of those properly.

The reason for the high potassium/low sodium issue is that the adrenals control the ratio of sodium http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/tongue.gifotassium in the blood by producing aldosterone. No aldosterone or low aldosterone causes loss of sodium and retention of potassium. If you are one of those people that animals tend to follow around, you may fit this scenario. (i.e. dogs lick you more than others livestok have a tendency to lick you...thye do this--seriously--because they are craving salt and we tend to lose salt through sweating, so we taste good to them.)

As for water...8 glasses a day (approximately a half-gallon or two liters) is a good start. I find that I need more than that, especially if outdoors alot or if I am more active.
In my case, I have to take in extra sodium and not pay much attention to potsassium levels as a recent blood test put both at the middle of their lab ranges.

Many of us have lower than normal or at least low-normal cholesterol. Since the adrenal glands use cholesterol as a building block for some of their products, it is important to make sure that the cholsesterol levels dont' go too low. that may sound contrary to all that you read, but cholesterol too low can be as bad as high cholesterol.

Hope this helps!

[This message has been edited by Meep (edited 09-16-2002).]

hi im 18 and only came out of hospital a week ago wher i spent 2 weeks after they diagnosed me with addisons. i lost a lot of weight and now weigh less then nine stone. so every morning im having a fry up and pratically force feeding myself.is this ok, also is there a danger of eating too much salty food as now im going through quite a lot peanuts?