Guide to Adrenal Function and the Nutrients That Help

We all know stress is part of life, but for most people today, it’s become more than just an occasional feeling. 

Whether it’s deadlines, lack of sleep, constant multitasking, or emotional strain, our bodies are feeling the effects. The result? Burnout, brain fog, low energy, and a general sense of “running on empty.”

That’s where adrenal health comes in. Your adrenal glands are key players in how your body manages stress, and when they’re supported, you’re more likely to stay calm, focused, and balanced, even on hard days.

Let’s break down how your stress response works, why cortisol matters, and how the right nutrients can help you build real resilience from the inside out.

Your Built-In Stress Response System

Your body has a smart internal system called the HPA axis, short for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Think of it as your stress control center. It includes:

• The hypothalamus and pituitary gland in your brain, which act like messengers

• The adrenal glands, which sit above your kidneys and produce key hormones like cortisol and adrenaline

When your body senses a challenge, physical or emotional, the HPA axis kicks in. It helps you stay alert, energized, and ready to respond. 

But if that stress never lets up, the system can become overstimulated and eventually less effective. That’s when you might feel constantly tired, irritable, or unable to focus.

The Role of the Endocannabinoid System

Most people haven’t heard of the endocannabinoid system, but it’s critical to how your body stays balanced. It works behind the scenes to:

• Keep your nervous system steady

• Regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and memory

• Help your body adapt to stress and change

• Support immune response, metabolism, and blood pressure

When both the HPA axis and the endocannabinoid system are working well together, you can bounce back more quickly from stress, and your body feels more stable overall.

What Is Cortisol, and Why Does Balance Matter?

Cortisol is often labeled as the “stress hormone,” but it’s not bad. In the right amounts, it helps your body:

• Wake up and feel alert in the morning

• Manage energy and blood sugar levels

• Reduce inflammation

• React to stress appropriately

The trouble begins when cortisol stays high for too long, or your rhythm gets off track—like feeling tired in the morning and wired at night. That imbalance can affect sleep, mood, digestion, immune function, and more.

The 3Rs of Cortisol Support (Recover, Reset, Rebalance)

You can’t eliminate every stressor, but you can give your body what it needs to adapt better. Think of these three steps as the foundation of healthy adrenal support:

Recover

This is about helping your body bounce back after prolonged stress. Supporting parasympathetic nervous system activity, also called “rest and digest,” can calm your system and reduce cortisol overload.

Reset

Cortisol is supposed to rise in the morning and fall at night. If that rhythm is off, your energy, sleep, and mood will be too. Nutritional support can help restore a healthy daily cortisol cycle, which improves focus, energy, and recovery.

Rebalance

The body is a network: your brain, gut, hormones, and immune system are all talking to each other. Supporting clear communication between these systems helps your body stay steady in the face of stress and return to balance more easily after challenges.

Nutrients That Help Your Body Manage Stress

There’s no single “magic” nutrient for adrenal health, but there are many well-studied ingredients that help support your body’s natural stress response. Here’s what the science says about some of the most effective ones:

Adaptogens (Rhodiola and Ashwagandha)

These plant-based nutrients help the body adapt to physical and emotional stress. They’re known to reduce fatigue, support mental clarity, and improve stress resilience.

• Rhodiola may improve mood, support endurance, and reduce feelings of burnout.

• Ashwagandha has calming properties and helps balance cortisol levels, especially during chronic stress.

B Vitamins (Especially B6 and B12)

B vitamins are essential for nervous system function and energy metabolism. When you’re stressed, your body burns through these faster—making supplementation helpful for staying sharp and balanced.

• B6 helps regulate mood-related neurotransmitters like serotonin.

• B12 supports red blood cell formation and energy production.

Magnesium

Magnesium is known as nature’s “calm” mineral. Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical processes, including muscle relaxation, sleep regulation, and nervous system health.

It also plays a direct role in supporting the HPA axis and endocannabinoid system, helping your body turn off the stress response once the danger has passed.

Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine, eleuthero is another adaptogen that supports mental and physical stamina. It’s especially helpful during times of fatigue, overwork, or emotional exhaustion.

Boswellia and Copaiba Oil

These offer CBD- and hemp-free support for the endocannabinoid system. They help maintain healthy inflammatory responses and promote calm without the need for cannabis-derived compounds.

Vegan Omega-3 (from Algal Oil)

Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory and play a vital role in the nervous system and immune function. Algal oil is a plant-based source of DHA, making it a great option for vegetarians or those avoiding fish.

Build Better Resilience With the Right Daily Tools

The world isn’t slowing down, but you can strengthen your ability to handle stress with more ease and resilience.

Support starts with basics like good sleep, movement, and a nutrient-rich diet. At Curated Wellness, you’ll find only the best adrenal support products, carefully chosen by experts and tested for quality.

Top Recommended Supplements for Adrenal Function Support:

Adrenal Cortisol Support - Protocol For Life Balance

Everyday life stress can impact adrenal production of cortisol and trigger stress-related eating. Adrenal Cortisol Support™ is a botanical and nutritional formulation that naturally supports a normal adrenal response and helps to promote healthy blood sugar management.

B-Supreme - Designs for Health

B-Supreme is a powerful combination of B vitamins supplied mostly in their coenzymated forms, so that the body does not have to phosphorylate them to be used in biochemical reactions. This formula also includes the patented folate derivative Quatrefolic®, which is an innovative form of folate that has demonstrated high bioavailability, solubility, and long-lasting stability.

Boswellia - Pure Encapsulations

Boswellia serrata is an Ayurvedic herb that has a long history of use for connective tissue and joint support. Boswellic acids, the active terpenoid constituents of Boswellia, may maintain healthy 5-lipoxygenase enzyme activity and healthy leukotriene metabolism. In addition, Boswellic acids may maintain healthy human leukocyte elastase enzyme activity. Boswellia also plays a key role in supporting colon health.