Adrenal Insufficiency
A long list of suboptimal health conditions and diseases are stress-related. These conditions can stem from either a weak or an exaggerated adrenal response. The following is just a partial list of conditions requiring adrenal glandular support:
• Anxiety/Panic attacks
• Asthma
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, Graves’ disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
• Cancer
• Diabetes mellitus (Type II)
• Depression
• Headaches (tension, migraine)
• Hypoglycemia
• Infertility
• Premature menopause
• Menstrual problems (premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, amenorrhea)
• Multiple chemical hypersensitivity/allergies
• Recurrent flus, colds, and other infections
Adrenal Glandular Support
The vast majority of cases requiring adrenal glandular support programs can help themselves without prescription hormones. A combination of diet and lifestyle changes with or without nutritional supplements is usually all that’s required.
Diet
Avoid foods and beverages that unnecessarily stress the adrenals, especially alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, fried foods, processed foods, pork, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. A high percentage of symptomatic individuals are allergic to gluten (wheat, spelt, rye, barley, oats) and casein (dairy products) and should avoid these foods altogether. Eat more of the following (unless allergic): deep water ocean fish, salmon, tuna, trout, fresh fruits, and green leafy vegetables, garlic, onions, shiitake or maitake mushrooms, olives, and legumes.
Lifestyle
Regular moderate exercise, meditation, biofeedback, or other relaxation techniques to reduce stress; in more severe cases, consultation with a health care provider is required.
Nutritional and Herbal Supplements
Dosages depend on severity of symptoms and individual tolerances.
• Multiple vitamin and mineral supplement
• Green drink (spirulina, chlorella, barley, Kamut, etc.)
• Bee pollen
• B complex vitamins with extra vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) or royal jelly
• Vitamin C and bioflavonoids
• Raw adrenal extract
• Raw liver extract
• Coenzyme Q10
• Astragalus
• Echinacea
• Licorice root (can raise blood pressure if used excessively)
• Milk thistle
• Siberian ginseng
Hormone replacement
In more severe cases that fail to respond adequately to the natural approach, low-dose adrenal hormones could be prescribed for short periods of time. These include:
• DHEA
• Pregnenolone
• Cortisol
• Testosterone
• Progesterone
• Estrogens
The use of steroid drugs (e.g., prednisone) for extended periods of time can cause the shrinking (atrophy) of the adrenal glands and should be monitored regularly to prevent long term side effects. This is far less likely to occur when one takes low-dose DHEA, pregnenolone, or other natural steroids but should not be ignored as a remote possibility.
For more information on reversing adrenal woes, see the references below and consult a natural health care practitioner for an individualized adrenal enhancement regime.
Dr. Zoltan Rona
REFERENCES
Cleare, Anthony, J. and Wessely, Simon, C., "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Stress Disorder?" British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 1996;55(9):571-574.
Freeman, Roy, M.D. and Komaroff, Anthony L., M.D., "Does the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Involve the Autonomic Nervous System?" American Journal of Medicine, 1997;102:357-364.
Goldberg, Samuel, M.D., et al. "Adrenal Suppression Among Asthmatic Children Receiving Chronic Therapy With Inhaled Corticosteroid With and Without Spacer Device", Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, March, 1996;76:234-238.
Rubin, Robert T., et al. "Adrenal Gland Volume in Major Depression: Relationship to Basal and Stimulated Pituitary-Adrenal Cortical Axis Function," Biological Psychiatry, 1996;40:89-97.
Selye, H. "Stress in Health and Disease." Buttersworth, London, UK, 1976.
Tintera, John W. HYPOADRENOCORTICISM, 1969; the Adrenal Metabolic Research Society of the Hypoglycemia Foundation, Inc., 153 Pawling Avenue, Troy, New York, USA 12180.
Tintera, John W. "The Hypoadrenocortical State and Its Management": N.Y. State J. of Med., Vol. 55, No. 13, 7/1/55.
Wilder, Ronald, L. "Adrenal and Gonadal Steroid Hormone Deficiency in the Etiopathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis", Journal of Rheumatology, 1996;23(suppl 44):10-12.
