The adrenal glands are a pair of half moon shaped organs that lie at the top of the kidneys. There are two distinctive parts, the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex. The adrenal medulla secretes the hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine, which are chiefly responsible for the fight-flight-fright response. The adrenal cortex secretes three different types of hormones: mineralocorticoids (e.g. aldosterone-effects sodium and potassium); glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol and cortisone, which affect the metabolism of glucose as well as reducing inflammation and allergenic response); and 17-ketosteroids (which include the sex hormones and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)).
The adrenals play a key role in adaptation to stress. The general adaptive response is divided into three stages:
(i) Alarm reactions, where the physiological changes prepare the body for fight/ flight response (includes increased heart rate, breathing, blood glucose levels etc.).
(ii) Resistance, the continued effect of a stressor results in increased activity of the carticosteroids to increase the resistance of the body.
(iii) Exhaustion that represents the collapse of the function resulting in loss of potassium and cortisone.
The outcome of exhaustion results in conditions linked to stress, e.g. ulcers, cancers, autoimmune disease, hypertension. Pathologically, atrophying (shrinking) of adrenal glands is a common side-effect of continual stress, leading to reduced resistance to infections and allergies. Optimal health depends on the proper adrenal function.
The use of oral adrenal therapy was based on the work of the French clinician Emile Sergent in 1898. Harrower reviewed the early use of the adrenals in 1939. Contrary to the general misconception that the body does not absorb large polypeptides and proteins, there is ample evidence that not only do polypeptides and enzymes of very large molecular weight (albumin, lactoferrin, ferritin) get absorbed, but that these peptides are absorbed intact into the blood stream following oral ingestion.
Polypeptides
Glandular products provide important molecules (including enzymes, amino acids and polypeptides) that exert beneficial hormone or hormone-like actions.
The processing and preparation of glandulars is an important issue. Not only is the source important but, the selective pre-digestion of the glands with enzymes followed by numerous selective ultra filtrations followed by lyophilization to preserve the integrity of the various components is essential. The adrenal extract presented here is manufactured by one of the leading U.S. FDA-certified companies handling glandular products.
References
Harrower, J. (1939). Adrenal Therapy, in An Endocrine Handbook: 13-23. Glendale, CA: The Harrower Laboratory, Inc.
Guyton A. (1976). Human Physiology. pg. 798.
Adrenal
DISCUSSION: Glandular tissue can be a rich source of nutrients, enzymes, hormone precursors, and other factors that support specific gland-related metabolism and physiological function.
90 Capsules AOR09001
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SUPPLEMENT FACTS:
Serving Size: 1 Capsule %DRI
Adrenal Tissue (natural – porcine)……..250 mg *
*Dietary Reference Intake not established.
Other ingredients: none. Capsule: gelatin and water.
