Adrenal Health 101: Your Body’s Stress Response Regulator

May 13, 2025

The human body is complex.

We learn the basics in grade school. Lungs are for breathing. The heart pumps blood through the body. But hormones? Nerve pathways? Glands? This is where our bodies operate at a cellular level, and they influence our daily lives as much as basic organ function does.

Take adrenal glands. These small, triangle-shaped “mini organs” are a key part of how your body handles stress, which is a daily necessity for every human. After all, stress is an essential part of life—and how our bodies process it makes all the difference.

Let’s explore what these essential glands are—and how we can support them.

What are Adrenal Glands?

Adrenal glands are located on top of each of your two kidneys. They’re about a half-inch high and three inches long, and shaped like rounded triangles. (Think: guitar picks or YIELD signs).

They are a critical component of your endocrine system, which is responsible for making and releasing hormones into the bloodstream. Other glands in the endocrine system include the hypothalamus, pituitary, and thyroid glands.

Adrenals also interact with the sympathetic nervous system, which is where their roles in the body’s stress response comes into play.¹

What Does the Adrenal Gland Do?

Adrenal glands produce and release three key hormones:

Cortisol: helps control your body’s use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates
Aldosterone: regulates levels of electrolytes in the blood
Adrenaline: known as the “fight or flight” hormone

These hormones participate in several key functions in the body—most notably your stress response system.¹

When your body reacts to our environment and daily demands, the hypothalamus gland in your brain sends a signal to the pituitary gland with a hormone called CRH. The pituitary then responds by releasing a hormone called ACTH into your bloodstream. ACTH then enters your bloodstream and travels to your adrenal glands.

There, it connects with special receptors that tell the glands to make important hormones called glucocorticoids. These hormones help your body adapt by supporting your daily performance—whether it's fight, flight, or just powering through the day.²

What is Adrenal Health?

Adrenal health refers to how well your adrenal glands are functioning. These small but important glands are responsible for your body’s natural response to daily life. It produces hormones you can’t live without. For most of us, adrenal health support simply means taking care of our overall wellness.¹

Lifestyle habits—along with supportive nutrients—can help you feel more balanced and resilient day to day. Let’s go over what that looks like.

Diet for Adrenal Health

Eating to support adrenal health looks a lot like other balanced diets: healthy portions of lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods are specifically thought to support adrenal health:

leafy greens and colorful vegetables
low-sugar fruits like grapefruit, apricot or pears
sea salt (in moderation)
healthy fats like olive oil or avocado³

Dieticians also recommend limiting the following foods for adrenal support:

white sugar
white flour
soda
fried food
processed food
artificial sweeteners³

When it comes to supporting our body’s natural processes, it can be hard to get the nutrients we need from diet alone. That’s where supplements can help make up the difference.

Smart Supplementation for Adrenal Health

One nutrient stands out when it comes to supporting adrenal health: Magnesium. It plays a role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including those that help regulate your natural stress response and support adrenal function.* At KAL, we call Magnesium our #1 mineral essential—and those are just a few reasons we do.

KAL’s Mellow Mineral+ powder—coming summer 2025—is a blackberry lemonade-flavored drink mix specially formulated to support adrenal health.* It also features nutritive support from Vitamin C, B-6 and electrolytes. If you’re looking for an easy (and tasty) way to support adrenal health, that’s a great place to start.

Other Magnesium supplements can also provide adrenal support. Magnesium Glycinate 350 is always a fan-favorite, and Magnesium Citrate Gummies are an easy breezy way to get similar benefits.

Want to find the best Magnesium for you? Check out our Magnesium Mineral Guide to learn about different types—and different benefits.

Support Balance from the Inside Out

Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, “It’s not about what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” This is true in our bodies as well. Stress is inevitable, but empowering your body to respond to it if the best way possible is how you power through it.

At KAL, we’re all about fueling good feelings. Whatever that looks like for you—from supporting adrenal support to overall wellness—we’re here for it.

For more tips on nutrition, mindful wellness practices, and how to fuel good feelings for the long run, follow us on Instagram at @kalvitamins!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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