Adrenal Fatigue Q&A, with Sigrid Grobys N.D.
For the past few months, we've been working closely with Sigrid and some of our clients who are experiencing fatigue that can't seem to be fixed, even with proper nutrition and rest. Adrenal Fatigue is something that we'e heard a lot about, but didn't really understand - so we brought Sigrid in to speak with the Ritual team about this condition, and found it fascinating. We decided to put together this Q&A to help you get a better understanding as well.
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Cass: Hello Sigrid, thanks for taking time to chat with us today. For our readers who don’t quite know about your profession, can you help explain the role of a Naturopath?
Sigrid: Seeing a naturopath is helpful for most functional problems, meaning there are symptoms but no abnormal lab tests or abnormalities found at the doctor s office. Many digestive complaints such as irritable bowel syndrome or heartburn fall in this category. Naturopathic medicine is also helpful for chronic health issues such as eczema, recurrent respiratory infections and fatigue. Concerns such as weight issues, cholesterol irregularities can also be addressed since diet and lifestyle would be cornerstone part of the treatment.
Cass: We’ve talked extensively before about the role that adrenal gland play, and the concept of adrenal fatigue. Can you give us an overview?
Sigrid: The adrenal glands are responsible for producing a number of hormones, including sex hormones, blood pressure-regulating hormones and of course stress hormones (adrenalin and cortisol). When we perceive an environment as stressful, we trigger our adrenals into a fight or flight mode, where our system is flooded with those stress hormones. They feed circulation and sugar to our muscles, as they are supposed to contract and help us fight the stressor or run away from it. In our modern society, we constantly stimulate that system. We end up in a state of hypercortisolemia, which contributes to abdominal weight gain, diabetes, sleep problems and fatigue in the long term.
Cass: How do our adrenal glands affect our lives, and why is it “adrenal fatigue” is being looked at more and more as an issue with peoples health?
Sigrid:Â From an evolutionary perspective, the adrenals are only meant to go into fight or flight punctually. When we overuse this system without giving them a chance to replenish on a nutritional level, they become fatigued. This means that they can't provide the body with sufficient "drive" while the environmental stress demand is still present. This is when people experience low energy, low motivation, and low immunity.
Cass: So what’s the fix? How can we undo any damage we may have caused living our lives this way? How do I take care of my adrenal glands going forward?
Sigrid: In order to recover from adrenal fatigue, here are a few basic tools: - consistent routine with wake time, bedtime and mealtimes - sufficient intake of vitamins B and C - generally minimizing one's to do list - listening to guided visualizations everyday for 15 mins to give the adrenals a chance to regenerate (there are some good apps to download for that)
Cass: Thank you for your time Sigrid, if people are interested in learning more, or seeking your naturopath services, how should they reach out to you?
Sigrid: My pleasure, we have two locations - and everything they need can be found on our website www.anappleaday.com.sg, or they can contact us with the below number or email.
+65 6322 1403
About Sigrid:
Sigrid Grobys N.D. – Naturopath
Sigrid is a licensed member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
After completing her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry at McGill University, she continued her medical education at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Canada’s only accredited four-year, full-time naturopathic school. Sigrid is the recipient of the Governor’s Award for Academic and Clinical Excellence, as well as the Nutritional Science Award of Excellence. She later joined the faculty at CCNM and became Resident Naturopath at the Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto. Today, Sigrid brings her wealth of experience in complementary health-care to Singapore!









