Adrenal Dysfunction

By Dr. Kaslow (portions used) http://www.drkaslow.com/html/adrenal_insufficiency.html 

(accessed January 8, 2014)

The adrenal glands are small but very powerful glands that sit atop each of your kidneys located in the middle of your back.  They are really two separate organs combined into one location - the outer portion called the adrenal cortex and the inner portion called the adrenal medulla.  The focus of this text is on the adrenal cortex.

The cortex serves primarily a hormonal function - among the main functions of the adrenal cortex are the regulation of the mineral metabolism (sodium, potassium, chloride), water balance, metabolism (utilization and distribution of carbohydrates, protein, and fat), allergic and immune reactions (such as hypersensitivity, allergies, and autoimmune diseases), and production of the male and female hormones (progesterone, testosterone, estrogens, DHEA, etc.).

Some of the signs of adrenal insufficiency are often similar to those found in persons who are hypoglycemic.  Some of the more common complaints reported include:

• Inability to concentrate
• Excessive fatigue, especially in the morning (hard to get going…)
• Nervousness and irritability
• Mental depression
• Apprehensions
• Excessive weakness
• Lightheadedness, especially upon standing up quickly
• Faintness and fainting
• Insomnia
• Frequent infections
• Intolerance to stress

When patients receive support for their adrenal cortex (such as with Adrenal Cortex Extract injections), they often report improvements in arthritis, pain in shoulders and back muscles, allergies, premenstrual problems, headache, migraine, ringing of the ears, tension, depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, apprehensions, noticeable heart action (palpitations), gastrointestinal problems, heat exhaustion, and an inability in handling stress.

The following physical findings suggest low adrenal function.

• Skin thin and dry or scaly, pigmentation of temples, red palms or fingertips, and cold clammy palms.
• Blood Pressure is usually low, and drops upon standing. This change from low to higher when lying down may be the reason why many patients find it difficult to fall asleep. 
• Hair is sparse on the body but there is usually a full head of fine and abundant hair.
• Dentition shows crowded lower teeth with a high palatal arch (roof of mouth).
• Pain and tenderness over adrenal area of mid-back when pressure is applied.
• Urination is either very frequent in small amounts or infrequent in large amounts.  This person usually does not do well in the heat or in the summer, particularly in conditions of high temperature, high humidity, and low barometric pressure.
• Scanty perspiration (except under arms or hands and feet). This person may be a "salt loser" (the tendency is to lose salt and to retain potassium). The urine and perspiration of the salt loser is saltier than normal and there is consequently a greater salt concentration on the skin. Animals are attracted to the salt on the skin, and often the low adrenal patient will be a favorite of animals to lick.
• Ankle and/or Finger Swelling. John Tintera, M.D… wrote that salt is a diuretic and that patients with low adrenal cortex function retain fluid because the body is trying to hold onto the salt.  When enough salt is consumed, the body takes what it needs and excretes the rest.  If the ankle edema is due to insufficient salt, the edema will usually disappear in three days after taking adequate salt.  If it does not disappear in five to six days, potassium may also be needed.  Vitamin B6 is also helpful for edema not only because it has a diuretic effect but also supports the adrenal cortex.

The Importance of Salt

For the person with depleted adrenals sunbathing on the beach can have devastating results.  The salt loser that attempts to function on low salt does not understand why he feels faint, or is suddenly unable to function in the heat, or he feels his mind is cloudy and his energy gone.  He may become very weak, tired, and depressed.  Salt is needed for the electrical function of the heartbeat, to make hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and for the fluid around the cells.  Sodium is the principal fluid outside of the cell (extra-cellular fluid) and as a result affects the proper function of all cells.  The nerve cells of the brain, and consequently all of our emotions, are affected by the salt levels.  Adding enough sodium chloride (salt) to the diet may be all that is needed for some patients.

Even other types of conditions, like kidney disease, need "some" salt and should have a moderate amount.  According to Richard H. Ahrens, Ph.D. of the USDA and an Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Maryland, salt use does not cause hypertension as is frequently claimed.  There should be no salt restrictions during pregnancy and no diuretic use.  If there is edema in pregnancy, extra salt brings about diuresis.  It can be a serious mistake for an individual to avoid salt for no apparent reason.  For any loss of body fluids - excessive perspiration or urination, vomiting or diarrhea - the lost salt must be replaced.  A person with undiagnosed adrenal dysfunction (who is therefore a salt loser) on a salt restricted diet may be slowly deteriorating as the result.

To find the amount of salt you need, gradually increase your salt intake until you find the amount you feel best on - usually 2 to 10 grams or roughly 1/2 teaspoonful to 1 tablespoonful. After determining the amount, try to cut back and see if that is just as effective.  Some individuals may also need potassium. (Dr. Call recommends using unrefined sea salt.)

Stress and the Adrenals

It is absolutely necessary to remove the dietary stress, sugars, excess or processed starches, caffeine, alcohol, stimulant drugs, and as much nicotine as possible. To rejuvenate the adrenal cortex extra vitamin C, salt, and fat—both saturated and unsaturated— is needed. Avoiding animal fats, as seems to be the popular thing to do, is avoiding the kind of fat adrenal hormones…are made from. The adrenals contain more vitamin C and cholesterol than any tissue in the body. Avoid or reduce excessive heat, cold, overwork, lack of sleep, arguments, diseases, and the like. Oxygen is necessary for the utilization of glucose by the body, and proper breathing must be practiced. Rest periods and relaxation is necessary with a bedtime no later than 11 p.m.