Adrenal Problems

 

 

The adrenal glands are two small but very important glands above the kidneys, which produce a range of hormones including cortisol, DHEA, estrogen and testosterone. The centers of the glands produce adrenaline, the hormone for which they are named.

 

Adrenal dysfunction generally occurs when the adrenal cortex does not produce enough of the natural hormone steroids, this is part of the pathology of auto-immune disorders and allergic and inflammatory response.  We would recommend that you read the article Factors Involved In Auto-Immune Disorders And Effective, Natural Treatment Protocols. 

 

Liquorice herb (Glycyrrhiza Glabra), Is possibly the most important herb for helping the adrenal glands to produce natural steroids and also to help balance the immune system in cases of auto-immune disorders as well as reduce inflammation via these two routes.

 

Liquorice contains Glycosides called glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhizinic acid; these have a structure similar to the natural steroids in the body and tend to rapidly restore natural steroid production from the adrenal glands. In addition, the direct action of these glycosides, along with other ingredients in the liquorice seem to have an almost magical effect in reducing inflammation and the entire auto-immune mal-response. Personally, taking Sterols and Sterolins from the product Naturleaf produced general health benefits and improved energy, it did not prevent the re-occurrence of asthma. Taking Liquorice had an obvious effect within hours of the first dose and repeatedly I found that it would turn off the initial stages on asthma like a switch. Note: if you have asthma, or bronchitis the formulation of Liquorice root, slippery elm and Lobelia (Asthma and Bronchitis Formula) has a very high success rate (according to Gerald Green) of almost 100% in babies and children and 80% in adults; irrespective of how serious the condition.  Gerald has used liquorice extensively for many different auto-immune conditions, with good success as part of the a herbal programme. We supply Liquorice Concentrate capsules and also Kalawalla with Liquorice in a combination capsule called Immuno-calm

 

Liquorice  is the well known component of Liquorice sweets, is surprisingly one of the most important medicinal herbs on the planet. It has been used extensively in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years, in approximately half of their formulas. The reason given is that it tends to improve the action of all the other herbs and ‘harmonise’ the action of the herbal formula.   

 

The cautions and side effects of regular Liquorice consumption for a very small  percentage of the population:-  details are given in the full Liquorice article: Liquorice herb.

 

Personally I have found liquorice to be more effective and totally harmless in its ability to help the body produce the correct type and amount of natural steroids, whereas drug based steroids, in my experience are less effective and will in time seriously disrupt the body’s homeostasis and render it susceptible to Candida Albicans infection and other health problems. Glycyrrhizin has a similar chemical structure to corticosteroids released by the adrenals, and further studies have suggested that it could be used as an aid in helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms from dependency on some corticosteroid hormones

 

The health benefits of taking Sodium Ascorbate are remarkable and have far reaching implications for many health conditions, the sodium form of ascorbate is thought to improve adrenal metabolism.

 

The way I understand it is that the adrenal glands produce chemicals (steroids and adrenalin to name but two) to help combat stress, this is the famous fight or flight mechanism. If we become stressed, this may just be even purely mentally/emotionally based such as demands at home or work or driving for example. If we do not immediately work this out physically by flight or fight, as we usually cannot! Then cortisol levels in the blood rise excessively have the effect of damaging the body e.g. causing congestion of the arteries, and in some people can eventually lead to stoke, arteriosclerosis, and heart attack. In most animals not only will they usually  react physically to mitigate some of the stress, their bodies will produce dramatically higher levels of vitamin C to combat this concurrent physiological stress. Animals therefore by and large don't experience heart attacks. According to extensive research by Lindus Pauling and others, humans and some primates have lost the ability to produce sodium ascorbate, due to a genetic defect, and as a result a large percentage of the population suffer from sub-clinical scurvy, with a wide range of chronic symptoms, of which hardening of the arteries and poor immunity are just two. Sodium Ascorbate is better understood as a liver metabolite rather than Just a vitamin, and a stressed animal can produce up to 100 grams daily to combat the physiological stress and damage that can occur for stress and infections.

 

So sodium Ascorbate is the 'natural' form of vitamin C. It has also been found that relatively small amounts eg half to one gram daily can mitigate some auto-immune disorders including asthma. When ever there is stress the nervous system and the adrenal glands are involved. Sodium Ascorbate can mitigate adrenal stress to some extent, and aid in the maintenance of the correct functioning of the adrenal glands.

 

In our modern, stressful world, our fight or flight mechanism is over-stimulated and subsequently the adrenals become over-worked and insufficient DHEA is produced, DHEA, is a precursor hormone to oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and is necessary to balance the hormones in your body. Insufficient DHEA can cause fatigue, bone loss, loss of muscle mass, depression, aching joints, decreased sex drive, and impaired immune function.  Wild Yam helps to maintain a balance of hormones in the body for women & men.  The essence of the action of yam appears to be in facilitating the production of DHEA, 'the mother of hormones'.

 

DHEA is also referred to as 'the anti-aging hormone': its widespread effects are due to its role of 'mothering' the production of over 50 other hormones. Researchers now believe that adequate DHEA production may help modulate the following:  fatigue, depression, stress, memory problems, obesity, tumor growth, viral and bacterial infections, high blood pressure, collagen and skin integrity problems, osteoporosis, immune responses.

 

Further evidence suggests that Wild Yam consumption can help to normalise the production of the adrenal cortex hormones.   The anti-stress and ant-inflammatory hormones (natural steroidal hormones) help prevent inflammation and maintain joint and general structural integrity.  This would explain the anti-arthritic (especially relating to rheumatoid arthritis) and anti-rheumatic effects observed traditionally.  The tendency to strains, sprains and back problems (so-called slipped disc) are in part due to poor adrenal gland function.  Also the tendency to pain in the body is modulate by adrenal hormones.   We cannot feel or become strong without adequate adrenal hormones. Aldosterone is an important adrenal hormone that helps the body to maintain the balance of mineral salts to water - a most important aspect of optimum well-being.

 

The adrenals are also involved in regulating salt balance in the body in conjunction with the hypo-thalamus. In some people, it seems this regulation does not work properly and too much salt is lost from the urine. In these cases the need for supplemental salt in the form of either Ionic Minerals or Celtic Sea Salt. is increased.  

 

This herb can also help the adrenals generally, Maca root contains natural substances that stimulate the pituitary and hypothalamus. These master glands of the body in turn trigger the ovaries, adrenals, testes, thyroid, and pancreas to return to healthy functioning, thus producing normal amounts of hormones.

 

Zell Oxygen or Immunocomplex is in almost all cases an essential part of a regenerative programme and for adrenal support will aid general cellular driven energy.  

 

For those suffering from adrenal exhaustion, Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) may be helpful and we would advise plenty of raw food as per our Dietary Guidelines

The Autoimmune Protocol

If you need any assistance in selecting the most suitable remedies, or have any questions, please Contact Us