Epstein Barr Virus and Adrenal Fatigue

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

I have personal history with Epstein Barr virus and Adrenal Fatigue. Full-blown Adrenal Failure actually. Most people’s Adrenals aren’t affected as badly as that but EBV does affect them.

Is Epstein Barr Really your Top Issue?

For most people, no. It’s common to have EBV Antibodies. EBV is Mono, an infectious Virus many of us got when younger. For some people, it is now “Reactivated Epstein Barr” where the virus may have become a top priority, or is one of several concurrent immune challenges.

The questions are: how high are your antibodies and is the virus causing your health issues or just another symptom of being run down?

The Root Cause of Poor Health

Getting to the Root Cause of problems is the key issue I try to resolve in Consults. As patients, we are poorly trained to see CAUSE rather than just the symptom. We want symptom relief. The traditional medical community tries hard to provide this.

Those reaching out for more want a Functional Health approach. The question then is always WHY? Why am I tired? My sleep disturbed? Or my blood pressure low?

The Root Cause of these three questions could well be – I have Adrenal Fatigue because I have elevated, reactivated Epstein Barr/Mono.

It could be many other things as well. We have to TEST those Adrenals correctly (as well as Thyroid and general labs) not GUESS. More in a moment…

Epstein Barr is a Herpes Virus

There are well over a dozen Herpes Viruses. They include: HSV1, HSV 2, Chickenpox, Shingles, Cytomegalo, Mono and many more. In my opinion, the same diet and supplements can form the first step in anti-infective support. Then we differentiate to address specifics. Please read all of my Herpes articles and Podcasts to learn the foods to avoid, foods to include, helpful supplements in my Online Store and other supportive treatments such as Ozone. Just enter the word Herpes in the blue Search Box.

You must adopt a diet that does not feed Herpes Viruses. Supplements alone cannot fix this.

Does EBV Affect the Adrenals?

In my experience, YES. This virus attacks the Adrenals. This is why Mono and Epstein Barr cause such fatigue. The virus then wears down the immune system and allows other infections and problems to take hold.

It goes the other way too.

All Herpes Viruses become active when we are sick or overstressed. Overwork, worry and fear suppress the immune system. The virus activates and can attack and exhaust the Adrenals. It’s a vicious cycle.

When I was diagnosed with severe Epstein Barr (the highest blood titers my Doctor had ever seen) I was working full time despite severe fatigue. I did not want to look at my life and slowing down looked like admitting to failure.

Salivary Testing for Adrenal Cortisol Levels

After my EBV diagnosis, I ran a four-sample Salivary Cortisol test from Diagnostechs Lab to check my Adrenals and Female Hormones. (I use this Lab today to test Clients).

My Cortisol levels were 1/10th of ideal 

You read that right. One-tenth of ideal. The Lab Doctor reviewing my report told me to go to the Hospital and begin Steroids immediately (and for the rest of my life).

I didn’t follow this advice but I heard that wake-up call and cut my hours by 80%. This began my search to heal Epstein Barr and rebuild severe Adrenal Fatigue.

High Arginine Foods Trigger Herpes & EBV

Here is one article on Herpes foods to avoid, including Collagen and Bone Broth. This is another article and Podcast on the best and worst foods for Herpes: nuts and seeds, coconut, chocolate, protein and collagen powders and broth, and grains.

These articles detail the foods to avoid, the foods to eat and explain how to properly use the Arginine to Lysine Ratios.

Supplements to Fight Epstein Barr

The products in the Herpes and Epstein Barr Defense Pack will help fight the virus and help feed the Adrenals too.

I recommend Systemic Formulas VIVI – Virox, Monolaurin, Supreme Nutrition whole Olive Leaf (rather than Oleuropein Extract) and of course Lysine. There are more in the Herpes/EBV Defense Pack and all can be customized in Consults.

SBI Protect is a non-dairy immunoglobulin, similar to Colustrum but without the dairy. Highly recommended.

I also carry Melissa Extract and an unusual Green Tea Extract. See the Herpes Pack for more.

Now, about those Adrenals….

Testing and Rebuilding the Adrenals

It’s essential to first run a four-sample Salivary Cortisol Test to see how your Adrenals actually test. I use Diagnostechs Labs but you can order ZRT Labs online for yourself.

You should also test your Thyroid to make sure your fatigue is not from that. Free T3, Free T4, TSH and Antibodies for Hashimoto’s. Your doctor can run blood tests for these or run Blood Spot testing without a doctor. Amazon and I have several blood spot options to do at home.

If your Adrenal Cortisol is low (test on a quiet day with no hard exercise or stress), have your EBV Antibodies tested to confirm Epstein Barr. There are many other reasons Cortisol can be low.

For low Cortisol, start Systemic Formulas Ga – Adrenal twice a day before 5 PM. If EBV confirms as an issue, add a Systemics VIVI – Virox to each Ga – Adrenal and take these away from food. If your Cortisol is really low, add Thorne Research Adrenal Cortex. I do NOT recommend regular adrenal glandulars. They contain traces of Epinephrine (Adrenaline) which is all wrong for you. Too much Adrenaline is often the reason Adrenals crashed (if not due to EBV).

Avoid EBV Miracle Cures and Money Makers

There’s a lot of bad information on the web about Epstein Barr. Fasting cures, super strict diets, odd supplements, gallons of juice… A lot of ways to sell books, in my opinion.

But I don’t see people advised to test and support the Adrenals. That’s because rebuilding the Adrenals is a commitment to ending the overwork, worry, sleeplessness and poor food choices that exhaust the Adrenals. As I tell many of my Clients: you cannot supplement your way out of this. You have to change what got you so run down.

Add Calming Herbs so You Can Rest

The Conundrum: you are tired but you can’t rest well. You need our Passion Flower or other Pharma GABA or calming support. You MUST rest your brain and body to recover Adrenal health.