We are very happy you enjoyed it, Shohreh. Thank you for being here. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

I’m so glad you were able to get something useful from this article! Post-menopause is such a complex time in our lives, and we must advocate for, and educate, ourselves. Thank you for being part of our community. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Thanks so much, Jack–we appreciate you! –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Hi, Julieta — thanks so much for your message, and for sharing your experience. I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with low cortisol levels due to adrenal insufficiency after corticosteroid treatment for your pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. That’s a lot to navigate, and it’s completely understandable that you’re looking for guidance on how to best support your adrenal glands in recovery. Most information online focuses on lowering cortisol, so your question is both thoughtful and important.

Low cortisol due to adrenal suppression means your body may struggle with energy, stress response, and maintaining normal blood pressure, especially during times of illness or emotional strain. You might experience symptoms like fatigue, dizziness when standing, or feeling especially tired in the mornings. Without sufficient cortisol, your body also has a harder time managing inflammation, blood sugar, and fluid balance. This can affect your daily life in subtle and sometimes unpredictable ways, making it important to have a consistent, gentle routine that helps reduce physical and emotional stress.

To support adrenal recovery, many people find benefit in adopting a steady rhythm to their days—regular meals, good sleep, moderate physical activity, and stress reduction practices all play a role. A whole food, plant-based diet can be particularly helpful. Prioritize foods rich in fiber, healthy fats, plant-based proteins, and a wide variety of colorful vegetables and fruits. These provide the nutrients your body needs to repair, reduce inflammation, and stabilize energy. Avoiding ultra-processed foods, refined sugars, and excess caffeine can also lighten the load on your system. It’s also helpful to stay hydrated and check in with your doctor if you notice changes in how you feel or need adjustments to your treatment.

Recovery can take time—weeks, months, or even longer—depending on how long you were on corticosteroids and how your body responds. Some people eventually taper off replacement therapy under medical guidance, while others continue long-term support. Either way, you’re not alone, and a supportive lifestyle can make a meaningful difference in how you feel day to day. Please continue working closely with your healthcare team, especially during periods of stress or illness when your body might need extra support.

I hope these tips offer some support, and please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions. Thank you again for being part of our community, and we wish you the very best on your healing journey. Please also consult with your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

You’re very welcome, Pamala. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Hello Roza and thank you for sharing this message. Yes, please feel free to share the article with friends–if you do translate it, please just let them know that you’ve done so, as we are not able to check it ourselves for any possible errors.

Unfortunately we don’t have an article that specifically speaks about dopamine in relation to cortisol. Here are a couple of collections of videos from Dr. Greger’s site that may be helpful:
https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/dopamine
https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/cortisol

And here’s a video on Dr. Fuhrman’s site regarding ADHD:
https://www.drfuhrman.com/videos/71/a-nutritional-approach-to-adhd

It is an area that needs further exploration, certainly. I hope a couple of these resources are helpful. Thank you for being here in our community. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team