ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
By Dr. Paul C. Eck and Dr. Lawrence Wilson
Adrenal
insufficiency refers to the inability of the adrenal glands to produce a normal
quantity of hormones. It may also be defined as a reduced ability to cope with
stress. It is one of the most common imbalances in our population today.
Adrenal insufficiency is not to
be confused with Addison's disease. Addison's disease is more or less a total
adrenal gland shutdown.
Adrenal insufficiency is also
different from adrenal burnout. The latter is a more severe derangement of the
energy-producing mechanisms of the body. In burnout, the body is basically
unable to cope with stress. The symptoms of burnout are similar to those of
adrenal insufficiency, but are more extreme and require longer to correct.
ABOUT THE ADRENAL GLANDS
The
adrenal glands are often referred to as the stress glands or the
fight-or-flight glands. The fight-or-flight response is mediated by the adrenal
medulla. The fight-or-flight response is the bodyís way of responding to
stress.
The stress response prepares the
body to run or fight. Blood pressure, pulse rate and blood sugar levels
increase. Blood is shunted away from the digestive organs and toward the
muscles and brain. The pupils dilate and the speed of reflexes increases. Part
of the stress response is due to the action of the adrenal hormones. Symptoms
of adrenal insufficiency can be directly traced to a reduced secretion of these
hormones when under stress. Adrenal hormones are divided into two groups, those
produced in the adrenal medulla and those produced in the cortex.
Hormones produced in the medulla
are epinephrine and norepinephrine. These are powerful, fast-acting
neurotransmitters which initiate the fight-flight response. They are also
sometimes called adrenalin and noradrenalin. The hormones produced by the
adrenal cortex are aldosterone, cortisol and cortisone. The cortical hormones
have a slower, more prolonged action.
Aldosterone is called a
mineralocorticoid hormone. Its primary function is to increase sodium retention
by the kidneys. Aldosterone levels roughly correlate with sodium levels
on a hair mineral analysis. Aldosterone is a pro-inflammatory hormone required
to initiate a healing reaction.
Cortisol and cortisone
are referred to as glucocorticoid hormones because they cause conversion of
amino acids and glycogen to glucose. The corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory
and provide a mild sense of euphoria. Cortisol levels roughly correspond to the
potassium level on a hair mineral analysis.
A balance between aldosterone
and cortisol is necessary to maintain one's health. This balance is associated
with the ratio of sodium to potassium on a hair analysis. If aldosterone
secretion is high ratio-wise to cortisol, inflammatory conditions such as
gastritis, colitis, arthritis, bursitis and sinusitis prevail. This often
corresponds with a high ratio of sodium to potassium on a hair analysis.
If cortisol secretion is high
ratio-wise to aldosterone, diseases such as diabetes, immune-deficiency syndromes,
infection, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, cataracts, glaucoma, coronary
heart disease or cardiomyopathy may prevail. This corresponds to a low ratio of
sodium to potassium on a hair analysis. Dr. Eck found the ideal
sodium/potassium ratio is about 2.5:1 in an unwashed sample of head hair.
SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
Adrenal
insufficiency is commonly associated with the following symptoms, which can
vary from mild to extreme.
*
fatigue
* decreased tolerance to cold
* poor circulation
* low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia)
* low blood pressure
* allergies
* apathy or depression
* low stamina
* low self-esteem due to low energy output
* joint aches and pains
* low levels of gastric hydrochloric acid
* tendency to constipation
* muscle weakness
* need for excessive amounts of sleep
* fears, due to low energy and secondary copper toxicity
* lowered resistance to infection
* subnormal body temperature
CAUSES OF ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
Causes
of adrenal insufficiency may include:
* Genetics.
Genetics can affect the adrenal glands. Also, genetic defects can be a cause of
physical and emotional stress that can weaken the adrenals.
* Congenital Weakness.
Congenital means present at birth. However, a congential condition may not be
genetic. It may be caused by nutritional deficiencies of the mother that are
passed on to the child. It may also be caused by toxic metals or other toxins
passed on from the mother's body that interfere with the functioning of the
adrenal glands. This is a very common cause of adrenal insufficiency today.
* Nutritional Imbalances.
These can begin early in childhood with inadequate diets, diet inappropriate
for one's oxidation type, poor food quality or digestive problems that prevent
proper nutrition. Even natural foods today often are low in vital minerals and
do not provide adequate nutrition. Pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, solvents
and other organic chemicals can all act as stressors that weaken the adrenal
glands.
·
Emotional or Psychological Stress. Responding to emotional stress over and over will eventually deplete
the adrenal glands. A single overwhelming shock such as death of a loved one
can also deplete the adrenals. Emotional stress can begin in childhood or at
any time in life. It is actually the resistance or fear of a situation that
causes the stress response. A loving response will cause much less of a
reaction, no matter what the situation.
Other possible stressors include
pressures from family, school, work, social pressure, financial stress and
others. People who force their bodies to "run or fight" all the time
by any means will tend to exhaust their adrenal glands. The 'fight-or-flight'
response must be balanced by adequate rest and sleep.
* Stimulants.
Most stimulants whip the adrenals. This may cause one to feel better for a
while, but the long-term effect is to weaken the adrenal glands. Stimulants
include sugar, alcohol, caffeine, theobromine in chocolate, amphetamines and
other medical drugs, cocaine, heroine and others.
Other stimulants can include
loud noise, loud music, light stimulation such as strobe lights in night clubs,
excessive exercise and excessive vibration. Anger, fear and worry can act as
stimulants as well.
Note that stimulant use can be a
result, as well as a cause of adrenal insufficiency. A person who is
tired due to weak adrenals may be attracted to stimulants such as drugs, loud
music or anger to feel better temporarily.
* Infections, Energetic and Structural Imbalances. These are all internal stressors that, if left uncorrected, can
eventually weaken the adrenals by forcing the body to mount a chronic stress
response to these irritants.
* Toxic Substances.
These may include chlorine in water, polluted air, mercury from dental
fillings, household chemicals, food additives, pesticide exposure, dusts, molds
and pollens. These often cause allergies that can be controlled with adrenalin
or cortisone, the adrenal hormones.
Medical therapy, particularly
cortisone or prednisone therapy, weakens the adrenals by creating hormone
imbalances.
* Mental Attitude.
One's attitude makes a great difference in determining the stress response.
Worry, fear, anger and resentment tend to increase the stress response. An
attitude of gratitude and compassion for oneself and others tends to diminish
the stress response. Understanding the impermanence of the body and the world
we live in, emotional detachment and detachment from all form, and a
single-minded desire to extend love can greatly diminish the stress response.
DETECTING ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
It is
often possible to assess adrenal insufficiency based upon symptoms. Anyone who
is tired, allergic, intolerant to cold, with symptoms of low blood sugar,
weakness and low blood pressure, most likely has some degree of adrenal
insufficiency.
Blood tests may be useful to
detect serious adrenal insufficiency. A serum sodium level less than 130 mEq/L
and a serum potassium greater than 5 mEq/L may be noted. A low glucose levels
and elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) may also be present. Other factors, however,
can affect the serum readings.
A blood test for adrenal
function involves measuring 17-ketosteroids, a breakdown product of the adrenal
hormones. Measuring the ketosteroids alone is not considered accurate. To
perform the test properly, an injection of ACTH (adreno-cortical stimulating
hormone) is given first. Then urine is collected and measured for
17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) and 17-ketogenic steroids (17-KGS).
Measurement of 17-OHCS
and 17-KGS without the ACTH loading is not useful and may be misleading. The
loading dose of ACTH measures how well the adrenals respond to the pituitary.
Many people with adrenal insufficiency have no symptoms if the adrenals are not
called upon to respond to a stressor.
Hair mineral analysis is an
excellent assessment tool for adrenal insufficiency when the test is properly
performed. It is probably more reliable and sensitive than the blood tests.
The hair must not be
washed at the laboratory. Washing at the laboratory erratically removes sodium
and potassium, critical minerals for adrenal assessment. According to the
research of Dr. Paul Eck, the following are indicators of adrenal insufficiency
on a hair analysis:
*
Sodium level less than 25 mg%
* Potassium level less than 10 mg%
* Sodium/potassium ratio less than 2.5:1
* Sodium/magnesium ratio less than 4.17:1
* Calcium/potassium ratio greater than 10:1
The
more of these indicators that are present, the greater the evidence of adrenal
insufficiency. Also, the more extreme
the values, the more suggestive of adrenal insufficiency problems.
CORRECTING ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
The
only medical treatment for adrenal insufficiency is cortisone replacement
therapy. While low dose cortisone is used by some physicians, this therapy can
cause serious side effects. In our experience, the best approach involves:
1) Nutritional assessment through hair tissue mineral
analysis.
2) A wholesome diet of natural foods appropriate for
one's oxidation type and digestive ability.
3) Nutritional supplements to reduce stress and
enhance adrenal activity. The adrenal glands especially require vitamins A, C,
E, pantothenic acid, manganese and zinc. Adrenal glandular substance is also
recommended to provide adrenal nucleoproteins and other specific nutritional
factors to help rebuild the adrenal glands.
4) Supplements to enhance overall metabolism,
eliminate toxic metals and enhance absorption and digestion of food.
5) Detoxification procedures such as sauna therapy to
help eliminate toxic metals.
6) Lifestyle modification to reduce harmful stressors.
7) Techniques to improve one's ability to cope with
stress. This can include biofeedback, meditation, relaxation techniques, etc.
8) Attitude adjustment, including letting go of
resentment, blame, attachments and fears that stimulate but also can paralyze
the adrenal glands.
In mild cases of adrenal
insufficiency, correction can occur in a matter of months. In more difficult or
longstanding cases, complete correction may require several years. Persistence
and patience are needed for optimal results.
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