ADRENAL GLANDS

Adrenal gland dysregulation can cause so many problems in the human body that they really need to be addressed by health providers.  We live in an over stressed and fast paced society, thus we put tremendous demands on our adrenals and never give them the right nourishment they need to rebuild and stay healthy.  When they get depleted, all other systems in the body get affected and health starts to diminish at a faster rate.

The adrenals are two small glands, each weighing around 4 grams. They are located on top of the kidneys. They have one of the highest rates of blood flow per gram of tissue, and the highest content of Vitamin C per gram of any tissue in the body.

Each adrenal gland is composed of two distinct parts, the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex. 

The outer zone, or cortex, makes up about 80% of the gland and secretes a class of hormones called corticosteroids.  These hormones are synthesized from cholesterol.  The corticosteroids are mineralocorticods, glucocorticoids, and androgens.  The cortex has three layers:

Zona glomerulosa – major type of secretion is the mineralocorticoid aldosterone (controls sodium / potassium absorption / excretion)

Zona fasiculata – middle portion of the cortex and it secretes the glucocorticoids (play a big role in the formation/production of glucose) cortisol (click here for info on cortisol a major player) and corticosterone, and small amounts of androgens and estrogen.

Zona reticularis – deep layer of the cortex that secretes dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and small amounts of estrogen.  

The adrenal medulla comprises around 20% of the gland, and secretes catecholimes called epinephrine (adrenaline) and nor epinephrine in response to sympathetic stress.  Epinephrine increase cardiac output (fight or flight), it also increase the metabolic rate of every cell in the body.  Nor epinephrine cause the gi system to stop working, dilates the pupils, causes constriction of blood vessels, etc.

 Cortisol, DHEA and Adrenaline are the three adrenal stress hormones.

The human adrenal gland does not secrete its steroid hormones at a constant level throughout the day. The hormones are actually released in a cycle with the highest value in the morning and lowest at night.  This 24-hour cycle is called the circadian rhythm.  An irregular adrenal rhythm can alter the functions of:

Energy production - Irregular adrenal function can change the ability of cells to make energy.  So having irregular rhythms, one can experience a hard time getting up in the morning, energy slumps during the day, or just tired all the time.

Sugar / insulin regulation – When cortisol regulation is altered, the body’s cells will start becoming insulin resistant.  This can lead to sugar cravings to get the pick me up during the day, only to be followed by an energy crash.  This cycle, if left uncorrected can lead to diabetes.

Immune system health - White blood cells cycle in through the spleen and bone marrow for special conditioning, nourishment and instructions. This movement follows the cortisol cycle. With disruption of this cycle, especially at night, the immune system is negatively affected. Stress is known to suppress the immune response on the surface tissue of the lungs, throat, urinary and intestinal tract. With the reduction in the surface antibody (called secretory IgA) the resistance to infection is diminished and allergic reactions appear to increase.

Bone regeneration / health – The adrenal rhythm also determines how well the body builds bone.  If cortisol is elevated at night and in the morning, the bones do not repair / rebuild at night.  This in turn leads to a higher risk of osteoporosis.

Sleep quality – High cortisol levels at night can make it hard to fall asleep in many cases.  High cortisol levels at night can also interfere with entering into deep REM sleep (regenerative sleep).  Chronic inability to enter into REM sleep can lead to decreased mental vitality; induce depression, and decreased energy.

Skin health / regeneration – Our skin regenerates mostly during the night.  If you have high cortisol levels at night, this leads to a reduction in skin (cell) regeneration.

Thyroid function – The level of cortisol at the cellular level, controls thyroid hormone production.  A lot of times, you can have symptoms of hypothyroid (low body temperature, fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, etc.) because of adrenal maladaption.

Muscle and joint function – Abnormal adrenal rhythms compromise tissue healing.  When the tissue is not repairing / healing right, this can lead to tissue injury and chronic pain.

Women who are getting close to menopause and are experiencing mood irregularities, hot flashes, etc. should look at adrenal function.  As the ovaries start diminishing production of estrogen, the adrenals help with estrogen production.  If the adrenals are fatigue, estrogen production will be greatly decreased.

This test is highly recommended for anyone who is experiencing any of the following:

Low energy / vitality	Muscle & joint pain	Chronic stress
Low sex drive	Sleep disturbances	Poor memory
Migraine headache	Chronic fatigue	Sleep disturbances
Low body temperature	Osteoporosis	Fibromyalgia
	Get light headed from a sitting to standing position

This is a must test if you are thinking about becoming pregnant.  If the adrenals are stressed / fatigued and you become pregnant you will borrow your baby’s adrenal reserves in the third trimester.  This means you usually have an increase in your sense of well being / energy in the third trimester.  This can lead to a weakened immune system, increased allergies, mood disorders, etc. in your baby, which carries over into childhood and adulthood unless corrected.

This is just a brief overview of the adrenal glands, for more information on the adrenal glands just do a web search or get a physiology book.