Re: How to treat adrenals naturally or with over the counter meds

[Guest guest]

Nutricology's Adrenal cortex extract. We get it from Iherb.com

It has worked nicely for myself and my older child with our fatigued

adrenals. It contains organic adrenal cortex not the whole gland.

According to Andy this is supposed to work better. You begin at one

capsule a day, and gradually add another and another until you are

up to a dose that is making you feel well. For us it was two

capsules a day. But for some it is three or four. Iherb is nice in

that it is moderately priced and they give you a discount on every

order.

Sleeping 8 hrs a night is very important. Avoid caffeine at all

costs, it wrecks the adrenals.

>

> Thank you to all of you who answered my previous questions about

> treating adrenals. From reading your posts I think I have

suffered

> adrenal fatigue in the earlier stages of my illness. I have

pretty much

> gotten rid of nearly all my symptoms without treating my adrenals

at

> all. I do now have much more energy. Still I would like to try

to

> treat my adrenals just to see if that will help. I have tried

before

> Adrenal Caps by Solaray. It has Adrenal (bovine) 340 mg and a few

other

> ingredients that look like herbs. And I have also tried another

product

> by Natural Sources which is raw adrenal glandular. Neither one of

these

> products had any effect on me even back when I was having

symptoms. I

> would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has tried any

natural

> supplements for adrenals or products that can be purchased over

the

> counter. I'm no longer under the extreme stress that I was under

for

> many years that I think probably contributed to my decline. But

as a

> preventive measure I'd like to learn how to take better care of my

> adrenals. I'd appreciate your feedback on products that have

worked for

> you. Thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply and information.

Nutricology's Adrenal cortex extract. We get it from Iherb.com

It has worked nicely for myself and my older child with our fatigued

adrenals. It contains organic adrenal cortex not the whole gland.

According to Andy this is supposed to work better. You begin at one

capsule a day, and gradually add another and another until you are

up to a dose that is making you feel well. For us it was two

capsules a day. But for some it is three or four. Iherb is nice in

that it is moderately priced and they give you a discount on every

order.

Sleeping 8 hrs a night is very important. Avoid caffeine at all

costs, it wrecks the adrenals.

---

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply and information.

Nutricology's Adrenal cortex extract. We get it from Iherb.com

It has worked nicely for myself and my older child with our fatigued

adrenals. It contains organic adrenal cortex not the whole gland.

According to Andy this is supposed to work better. You begin at one

capsule a day, and gradually add another and another until you are

up to a dose that is making you feel well. For us it was two

capsules a day. But for some it is three or four. Iherb is nice in

that it is moderately priced and they give you a discount on every

order.

Sleeping 8 hrs a night is very important. Avoid caffeine at all

costs, it wrecks the adrenals.

---

>

[Guest guest]

>

> >And I have also tried another product

> > by Natural Sources which is raw adrenal glandular. Neither one of

these

> > products had any effect on me even back when I was having symptoms.

>

> After many months of trying to figure it the different I'm still not

clear

> about the adrenal options. This is what I have been led to

understand and

> would appreciate any corrections or input? Options:

>

>

> 1) ACE (Adrenal Cortical Extract) The article here

> http://www.fred.net/slowup/tint01.html says " Adrenal Cortical Extract -

> This tends to adjust carbohydrate metabolism by supplying

glucosteroids, to

> correct water-salt imbalance through its mineralosteroid activity,

and to

> mediate secondary sex characteristics which are controlled by the

precursors

> of the 17-ketosteroids. Once the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are

> alleviated, the adrenal cortical extract is curtailed, being

reinstituted if

> indicated at the time of periodic checkups " . This suggest it supplies

> hormones too, so what makes it different from a desiccated glandular?

>

> 2) Desiccated Adrenal (e.g. Isocort) which I assume is the same as a Raw

> Glandular? Meaning they have not destroyed the hormones by 'cooking'

it, so

> the adrenal hormones are still present and provided in the supplement

>

> 3) Adrenal Glandular (whole gland). This is just the peptide and

polypeptide

> chains providing the building blocks for the adrenals, but offering

them no

> direct hormonal support. This gland has been processed to remove the

> hormones. Another name is Adrenal Cytotrophin.

>

> Please help:-)

> Thanks,

> Dean

Dean,

I think one of the downsides of glandulars is they can have some

hormone content, but this is not standardized so you just can't

know ahead of time how much hormone content will be in there.

I'm sure you are right that the amount/type of processing can

reduce the hormone content. One of the reasons for getting

adrenal cortex extract (not whole adrenal) is because you don't

want the adrenal medulla component that would support adrenaline

production.

I think IsoCort (a glandular product from Bezwecken) is supposed

to be semi-standardized to have 2.5 mg cortisol per pellet. I am

not sure if this is standardized in a strict sense, but I hear this

claim all the time. I have no idea if it is accurate.

There are also herbal options for adrenal support.

--

[Guest guest]

>

> >And I have also tried another product

> > by Natural Sources which is raw adrenal glandular. Neither one of

these

> > products had any effect on me even back when I was having symptoms.

>

> After many months of trying to figure it the different I'm still not

clear

> about the adrenal options. This is what I have been led to

understand and

> would appreciate any corrections or input? Options:

>

>

> 1) ACE (Adrenal Cortical Extract) The article here

> http://www.fred.net/slowup/tint01.html says " Adrenal Cortical Extract -

> This tends to adjust carbohydrate metabolism by supplying

glucosteroids, to

> correct water-salt imbalance through its mineralosteroid activity,

and to

> mediate secondary sex characteristics which are controlled by the

precursors

> of the 17-ketosteroids. Once the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are

> alleviated, the adrenal cortical extract is curtailed, being

reinstituted if

> indicated at the time of periodic checkups " . This suggest it supplies

> hormones too, so what makes it different from a desiccated glandular?

>

> 2) Desiccated Adrenal (e.g. Isocort) which I assume is the same as a Raw

> Glandular? Meaning they have not destroyed the hormones by 'cooking'

it, so

> the adrenal hormones are still present and provided in the supplement

>

> 3) Adrenal Glandular (whole gland). This is just the peptide and

polypeptide

> chains providing the building blocks for the adrenals, but offering

them no

> direct hormonal support. This gland has been processed to remove the

> hormones. Another name is Adrenal Cytotrophin.

>

> Please help:-)

> Thanks,

> Dean

Dean,

I think one of the downsides of glandulars is they can have some

hormone content, but this is not standardized so you just can't

know ahead of time how much hormone content will be in there.

I'm sure you are right that the amount/type of processing can

reduce the hormone content. One of the reasons for getting

adrenal cortex extract (not whole adrenal) is because you don't

want the adrenal medulla component that would support adrenaline

production.

I think IsoCort (a glandular product from Bezwecken) is supposed

to be semi-standardized to have 2.5 mg cortisol per pellet. I am

not sure if this is standardized in a strict sense, but I hear this

claim all the time. I have no idea if it is accurate.

There are also herbal options for adrenal support.

--

[Guest guest]

>

> Thank you to all of you who answered my previous questions about

> treating adrenals. From reading your posts I think I have suffered

> adrenal fatigue in the earlier stages of my illness. I have pretty

much

> gotten rid of nearly all my symptoms without treating my adrenals at

> all. I do now have much more energy. Still I would like to try to

> treat my adrenals just to see if that will help. I have tried before

> Adrenal Caps by Solaray. It has Adrenal (bovine) 340 mg and a few

other

> ingredients that look like herbs. And I have also tried another

product

> by Natural Sources which is raw adrenal glandular. Neither one of

these

> products had any effect on me even back when I was having symptoms. I

> would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has tried any natural

> supplements for adrenals or products that can be purchased over the

> counter. I'm no longer under the extreme stress that I was under for

> many years that I think probably contributed to my decline. But as a

> preventive measure I'd like to learn how to take better care of my

> adrenals. I'd appreciate your feedback on products that have worked

for

> you. Thank you.

>

I used a glandular at one point, and I think that can be a good

strategy, at least short term. If it works for you, I think

there really aren't any contraindications to consider. I don't

think it works for everyone.

I have for the most part treated my adrenals with herbs. The trick

with herbs is you have to read about their effects and

contraindications to find one that is right for you. Here are some

things I know:

ashwagandha - This is terrific stuff for me. It improves immune

function, reduces anxiety, and is an adaptogen, meaning it can

smooth out both the lows and the highs in cortisol. I have heard

it is not a good choice if you have autoimmune problems (could

worse things). Dosage could vary a lot depending on the person, I

think.

ginseng - There are different forms of ginseng. Siberian, Korean,

Chinese, I think are the main ones. Siberian is supposed to be

better for calming you down. The others tend to be more stimulating

for some people. I think you would have to read more about them

and/or experiment to see if one of these works for you. These

are also considered adaptogens.

licorice - This is very good for low blood pressure and something

to avoid if you have high blood pressure. Someone who is sensitive

to it could develop high blood pressure, water retention, and perhaps

other problems from it. Another potential problem is worsening

chemical sensitivity. I have some degree of chemical sensitivy and

I had to be very careful about toxin exposure when taking it.

Taking licorice while your body is processing toxins to which you

are sensitive can worsen the sensitivity reaction. (Licorice also

happens to be good at healing the stomach/gut - if you want to

take it just for that, you can get it deglycerrhizinated, which

means the component that causes blood pressure issues is removed.)

phosphatidyl serine or seriphos - This helps to break down cortisol

and can be very helpful for someone whose cortisol is elevated.

You want to be careful with this one if you have low cortisol some

of the time. If your cortisol is not really that high, it can

give you a crashing episode. I think it is best used for people

who have measured high levels of cortisol and their lows are not

seriously low.

Holy basil is another herb that is often recommended for high

cortisol. Also rhodiola. Don't know much about those ones.

--

[Guest guest]

>

> Thank you to all of you who answered my previous questions about

> treating adrenals. From reading your posts I think I have suffered

> adrenal fatigue in the earlier stages of my illness. I have pretty

much

> gotten rid of nearly all my symptoms without treating my adrenals at

> all. I do now have much more energy. Still I would like to try to

> treat my adrenals just to see if that will help. I have tried before

> Adrenal Caps by Solaray. It has Adrenal (bovine) 340 mg and a few

other

> ingredients that look like herbs. And I have also tried another

product

> by Natural Sources which is raw adrenal glandular. Neither one of

these

> products had any effect on me even back when I was having symptoms. I

> would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has tried any natural

> supplements for adrenals or products that can be purchased over the

> counter. I'm no longer under the extreme stress that I was under for

> many years that I think probably contributed to my decline. But as a

> preventive measure I'd like to learn how to take better care of my

> adrenals. I'd appreciate your feedback on products that have worked

for

> you. Thank you.

>

I used a glandular at one point, and I think that can be a good

strategy, at least short term. If it works for you, I think

there really aren't any contraindications to consider. I don't

think it works for everyone.

I have for the most part treated my adrenals with herbs. The trick

with herbs is you have to read about their effects and

contraindications to find one that is right for you. Here are some

things I know:

ashwagandha - This is terrific stuff for me. It improves immune

function, reduces anxiety, and is an adaptogen, meaning it can

smooth out both the lows and the highs in cortisol. I have heard

it is not a good choice if you have autoimmune problems (could

worse things). Dosage could vary a lot depending on the person, I

think.

ginseng - There are different forms of ginseng. Siberian, Korean,

Chinese, I think are the main ones. Siberian is supposed to be

better for calming you down. The others tend to be more stimulating

for some people. I think you would have to read more about them

and/or experiment to see if one of these works for you. These

are also considered adaptogens.

licorice - This is very good for low blood pressure and something

to avoid if you have high blood pressure. Someone who is sensitive

to it could develop high blood pressure, water retention, and perhaps

other problems from it. Another potential problem is worsening

chemical sensitivity. I have some degree of chemical sensitivy and

I had to be very careful about toxin exposure when taking it.

Taking licorice while your body is processing toxins to which you

are sensitive can worsen the sensitivity reaction. (Licorice also

happens to be good at healing the stomach/gut - if you want to

take it just for that, you can get it deglycerrhizinated, which

means the component that causes blood pressure issues is removed.)

phosphatidyl serine or seriphos - This helps to break down cortisol

and can be very helpful for someone whose cortisol is elevated.

You want to be careful with this one if you have low cortisol some

of the time. If your cortisol is not really that high, it can

give you a crashing episode. I think it is best used for people

who have measured high levels of cortisol and their lows are not

seriously low.

Holy basil is another herb that is often recommended for high

cortisol. Also rhodiola. Don't know much about those ones.

--

[Guest guest]

>

> Thank you to all of you who answered my previous questions about

> treating adrenals. From reading your posts I think I have suffered

> adrenal fatigue in the earlier stages of my illness. I have pretty

much

> gotten rid of nearly all my symptoms without treating my adrenals at

> all. I do now have much more energy. Still I would like to try to

> treat my adrenals just to see if that will help. I have tried before

> Adrenal Caps by Solaray. It has Adrenal (bovine) 340 mg and a few

other

> ingredients that look like herbs. And I have also tried another

product

> by Natural Sources which is raw adrenal glandular. Neither one of

these

> products had any effect on me even back when I was having symptoms. I

> would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has tried any natural

> supplements for adrenals or products that can be purchased over the

> counter. I'm no longer under the extreme stress that I was under for

> many years that I think probably contributed to my decline. But as a

> preventive measure I'd like to learn how to take better care of my

> adrenals. I'd appreciate your feedback on products that have worked

for

> you. Thank you.

>

I used a glandular at one point, and I think that can be a good

strategy, at least short term. If it works for you, I think

there really aren't any contraindications to consider. I don't

think it works for everyone.

I have for the most part treated my adrenals with herbs. The trick

with herbs is you have to read about their effects and

contraindications to find one that is right for you. Here are some

things I know:

ashwagandha - This is terrific stuff for me. It improves immune

function, reduces anxiety, and is an adaptogen, meaning it can

smooth out both the lows and the highs in cortisol. I have heard

it is not a good choice if you have autoimmune problems (could

worse things). Dosage could vary a lot depending on the person, I

think.

ginseng - There are different forms of ginseng. Siberian, Korean,

Chinese, I think are the main ones. Siberian is supposed to be

better for calming you down. The others tend to be more stimulating

for some people. I think you would have to read more about them

and/or experiment to see if one of these works for you. These

are also considered adaptogens.

licorice - This is very good for low blood pressure and something

to avoid if you have high blood pressure. Someone who is sensitive

to it could develop high blood pressure, water retention, and perhaps

other problems from it. Another potential problem is worsening

chemical sensitivity. I have some degree of chemical sensitivy and

I had to be very careful about toxin exposure when taking it.

Taking licorice while your body is processing toxins to which you

are sensitive can worsen the sensitivity reaction. (Licorice also

happens to be good at healing the stomach/gut - if you want to

take it just for that, you can get it deglycerrhizinated, which

means the component that causes blood pressure issues is removed.)

phosphatidyl serine or seriphos - This helps to break down cortisol

and can be very helpful for someone whose cortisol is elevated.

You want to be careful with this one if you have low cortisol some

of the time. If your cortisol is not really that high, it can

give you a crashing episode. I think it is best used for people

who have measured high levels of cortisol and their lows are not

seriously low.

Holy basil is another herb that is often recommended for high

cortisol. Also rhodiola. Don't know much about those ones.

--

[Guest guest]

> I think one of the downsides of glandulars is they can have some

> hormone content, but this is not standardized so you just can't

> know ahead of time how much hormone content will be in there.

There are also claims that the hormone content can vary widely between

batches.

> I think IsoCort (a glandular product from Bezwecken)

A downside to IsoCort is that it also contains Echinacea Extract,

Prunus spp. and Lomatium Dissectum Root Isolate. I'm not exactly sure

why the various herbs are included (it's labeled an " herbal

supplement " ), but they can cause problems for some people.

It is very hard to compare the dosage between a pure adrenal cortex

extract such as the Thorne or Allergy Research/Nutricology brands and

Isocort, both for cortisol and for all the other components of the

adrenal cortex. I have taken all of them as well as HC. I found

Isocort at the max recommended dose (8 pellets/day) was not enough for

me. This would correspond to 20mg HC, if the rumored dose is correct.

It certainly did not work as well for me as 20mg HC. (There seems to

be a wide consensus that IsoCort does not seem to have the same effect

as the supposedly equivalent dose of HC.) The Allergy Research brand

contains 250mg of ACE vs. 50mg for the Thorne brand. I think the

Allergy Research brand dose was much more appropriate for my needs.

Starting with the Thorne, though, will let you experiment with lower

doses without having to split capsules. I haven't noticed the batch

to batch variation in any of the brands that some fear.

W.