Re: Adrenal cortex vs. adrenal cortex extract

[Guest guest]

Funny I just spoke to Andy recently about Adrenal Cortex. I found one

from Allergy Research Group, but they also have a whole adrenal extract

so you want to be careful to buy the adrenal CORTEX. Thorne also makes

an adrenal cortex.

I have not used either so I can't comment on quality issues.

Israel

>

> This is probably a dumb questions but what is the difference between

> adrenal cortex and adrenal cortex extract? Which is preferred? Also

> any brands and where to purchase it would be appreciated.

> TIA,

>

>

[Guest guest]

whole adrenal contains the cortex as well as the adrenal medulla which

contains epinephrines (adrenalines) along with the needed cortisol.

Unfortunately neither companies can assay or guarantee the amount* nor,

indeed, even presence* of the active ingredient. (Except for Isocort made by

Bezwecken which is known - but not labeled as having 2.5 mg of cortisol per

pellet.)

HTH,

....

On 4/25/06, Victor & <curlytatertot@...> wrote:

>

> This is probably a dumb questions but what is the difference between

> adrenal cortex and adrenal cortex extract? Which is preferred? Also

> any brands and where to purchase it would be appreciated.

> TIA,

>

>

[Guest guest]

I keep feeling like I am missing a piece of information on this discussion of

adrenal cortex/Isocort.

There has to be some reason Andy recommends lots of adrenal cortex but only

small doses of Isocort for a few days.

I have read that when you give low dose cortisol for any length of time there

should be a lengthy, consistent, slow reduction that takes place over a number

of months, but have never read that about adrenal cortex.

What am I missing here? It seems unlikely that the only difference between the

two is that one cannot guarantee the amount and the other is not labeled.

Re: [ ] Adrenal cortex vs. adrenal cortex extract

whole adrenal contains the cortex as well as the adrenal medulla which

contains epinephrines (adrenalines) along with the needed cortisol.

Unfortunately neither companies can assay or guarantee the amount* nor,

indeed, even presence* of the active ingredient. (Except for Isocort made by

Bezwecken which is known - but not labeled as having 2.5 mg of cortisol per

pellet.)

HTH,

...

On 4/25/06, Victor & <curlytatertot@...> wrote:

>

> This is probably a dumb questions but what is the difference between

> adrenal cortex and adrenal cortex extract? Which is preferred? Also

> any brands and where to purchase it would be appreciated.

> TIA,

>

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > This is probably a dumb questions but what is the difference between

> > adrenal cortex and adrenal cortex extract? Which is preferred?

Also

> > any brands and where to purchase it would be appreciated.

> > TIA,

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > I keep feeling like I am missing a piece of information on this

> discussion of adrenal cortex/Isocort.

> >

> > There has to be some reason Andy recommends lots of adrenal cortex

> but only small doses of Isocort for a few days.

>

> It is my understanding that Andy discourages the use of any

> steroid hormone in kids unless absolutely necessary. I think

> I have read this in archives - perhaps he has changed his

> opinion since - don't know for sure. Thyroid is not a

> steroid and does not raise the same issues. I am sure he

> always recommends trying adrenal cortex extract, B5, licorice,

> and perhaps others before considering cortisol (and I think

> that would include Isocort).

Isocort is just a form of adrenal cortex that has a standardized

amount of cortisol (among other ingredients like echinacea). Don't

all adrenal cortex supplements have cortisol in some amount? Is

Isocort known to have substantially more than other such OTC adrenal

cortex supplements as Thorne or Allergy Research/Nutricology? I'm as

confused as about all this.

Thanks,

W.

[Guest guest]

> > >

> > > I keep feeling like I am missing a piece of information on this

> > discussion of adrenal cortex/Isocort.

> > >

> > > There has to be some reason Andy recommends lots of adrenal cortex

> > but only small doses of Isocort for a few days.

> >

> > It is my understanding that Andy discourages the use of any

> > steroid hormone in kids unless absolutely necessary. I think

> > I have read this in archives - perhaps he has changed his

> > opinion since - don't know for sure. Thyroid is not a

> > steroid and does not raise the same issues. I am sure he

> > always recommends trying adrenal cortex extract, B5, licorice,

> > and perhaps others before considering cortisol (and I think

> > that would include Isocort).

>

> Isocort is just a form of adrenal cortex that has a standardized

> amount of cortisol (among other ingredients like echinacea). Don't

> all adrenal cortex supplements have cortisol in some amount? Is

> Isocort known to have substantially more than other such OTC adrenal

> cortex supplements as Thorne or Allergy Research/Nutricology? I'm as

> confused as about all this.

>

> Thanks,

>

> W.

I can't answer the question about amount of cortisol in

glandulars. Maybe Andy feels it is generally an insignificant

amount?

I was pointing out that I remembered reading comments from

Andy that steroid use was not recommended for kids unless

necessary. I think this is the post I am remembering:

http://onibasu.com/archives/am/69709.html

That is a bit old - but he also says in this more recent post

not to use for more than a few days at a careful dose unless

necessary:

http://onibasu.com/archives/am/171011.html

--

[Guest guest]

Hi! and -

In an email exchange I had with Andy last winter, when I suggested that

in the case of actual hypoadrenal status that starting and stopping cortisol

actually further stresses weakened adrenals, he also acknowledged the

difference between the kind of adrenal tapers he is recommending when

necessary, and ongoing low dose adrenal support for hypoadrenal of longer

standing or lowered adrenal function when necessary...

Supplementing cortisol, not at the problematic pharmacological (high)

levels but at the *physiological* (low) levels - *mimicking what healthy

adrenals produce on their own* - is vital for several metabolic and immune

functions in the body. Cortisol is necessary to escort Free T3 into tissues;

it is necessary to regulate vessal tone, thus blood pressure (such as in

postural hypotension - dizziness upon standing); it is vital to immune

functions and inflammation... Adrenal hormone (cortisol) absence is apparent

in tantrums, meltdowns, and rages (in adults, too,) and cortisol spikes in

the evening/night generate insomnia.

Please see my previous post on diagnosing adrenal status. Also the analysis

of various stages of adrenal fatigue can be found at

http://www.chronicfatigue.org/ASI%20Normal.html

- you ask good questions. I think Andy is completely correct in

suggesting that adrenal support be used judiciously and only where

necessary. It appears that the key may be defining " when necessary " in light

of what is suggested, above. The literature on low dose cortisol is scant.

However, Jeffries is the seminal authority. His, *Safe Uses of Cortisol*, is

a very valuable resource...

HTH,

....

On 4/29/06, <sage@...> wrote:

>

>

> I can't answer the question about amount of cortisol in

> glandulars. Maybe Andy feels it is generally an insignificant

> amount?

>

> I was pointing out that I remembered reading comments from

> Andy that steroid use was not recommended for kids *unless

> necessary.* * * [My emphasis added.] I think this is the post I am

> remembering:

>

> http://onibasu.com/archives/am/69709.html

>

> That is a bit old - but he also says in this more recent post

> not to use for more than a few days at a careful dose *unless

> necessary:* * *[My emphasis added.]

http://onibasu.com/archives/am/171011.html

>

> --

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Cochran <Ladyshrink111@...>

Date: Apr 29, 2006 4:06 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Adrenal cortex vs. adrenal cortex extract

I keep feeling like I am missing a piece of information on this discussion

of adrenal cortex/Isocort.

There has to be some reason Andy recommends lots of adrenal cortex but only

small doses of Isocort for a few days.

I have read that when you give low dose cortisol for any length of time

there should be a lengthy, consistent, slow reduction that takes place over

a number of months, but have never read that about adrenal cortex.

What am I missing here? It seems unlikely that the only difference between

the two is that one cannot guarantee the amount and the other is not

labeled.

[Guest guest]

> >

> >

> > I can't answer the question about amount of cortisol in

> > glandulars. Maybe Andy feels it is generally an insignificant

> > amount?

> >

> > I was pointing out that I remembered reading comments from

> > Andy that steroid use was not recommended for kids *unless

> > necessary.* * * [My emphasis added.] I think this is the post I am

> > remembering:

> >

> > http://onibasu.com/archives/am/69709.html

> >

> > That is a bit old - but he also says in this more recent post

> > not to use for more than a few days at a careful dose *unless

> > necessary:* * *[My emphasis added.]

>

> http://onibasu.com/archives/am/171011.html

> >

> > --

>

>

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------

> From: Cochran <Ladyshrink111@...>

> Date: Apr 29, 2006 4:06 AM

> Subject: Re: [ ] Adrenal cortex vs. adrenal cortex extract

>

>

> I keep feeling like I am missing a piece of information on this

discussion

> of adrenal cortex/Isocort.

>

> There has to be some reason Andy recommends lots of adrenal cortex

but only

> small doses of Isocort for a few days.

>

> I have read that when you give low dose cortisol for any length of time

> there should be a lengthy, consistent, slow reduction that takes

place over

> a number of months, but have never read that about adrenal cortex.

> What am I missing here? It seems unlikely that the only difference

between

> the two is that one cannot guarantee the amount and the other is not

> labeled.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In the case of adrenal cortex/Isocort I just keep coming up with more questions.

The main one being why does a person have to be weaned off Isocort and not

adrenal cortex? The answer to that question might illuminate the difference

between the two.

Ours is doing well on the Armour with adrenal cortex and other supplement

support as evidenced by her shiny hair, beautiful skin and raised temps,

indicating adequate adrenal health as the Armour is getting in, but I keep

asking this question for two reasons: I can't stand not to know something and I

always like to have Plan B in place in case my plan A does not work :-)

I agree a minority of kids might have such grievious adrenal problems that a

short trial of Isocort might benefit, but also feel that the majority of kids,

due to their young age, might be better served with the adrenal cortex and

supplements to shore up the adrenals.

I am concerned about growth issues, ours actually has a chance at being tall,

and her calcium levels have always been low due to rapid bone growth and keeping

calcium where it belongs has been difficult. Also, supplementing a near pubertal

child is a way different scenario than a young child.

I was also troubled by Jeffries suggestion that a medic alert bracelet be worn

by anyone on even low doses of cortisol, in case of accident/illness. That tells

me that there is always a possibility of shutting down the adrenals so in case

of illness or accident their adrenals would not appropriately respond to the

crisis.

I may clearly have a lot more to learn about this issue.

Re: [ ] Adrenal cortex vs. adrenal cortex extract

I keep feeling like I am missing a piece of information on this discussion

of adrenal cortex/Isocort.

There has to be some reason Andy recommends lots of adrenal cortex but only

small doses of Isocort for a few days.

I have read that when you give low dose cortisol for any length of time

there should be a lengthy, consistent, slow reduction that takes place over

a number of months, but have never read that about adrenal cortex.

What am I missing here? It seems unlikely that the only difference between

the two is that one cannot guarantee the amount and the other is not

labeled.

[Guest guest]

> I was also troubled by Jeffries suggestion that a medic alert

bracelet be worn by anyone on even low doses of cortisol, in case of

accident/illness. That tells me that there is always a possibility of

shutting down the adrenals so in case of illness or accident their

adrenals would not appropriately respond to the crisis.

I assume 's concern is based on pg. 20 of Safe Uses of Cortisol:

" If you have mild or more severe adrenal deficiency, you should wear a

Medic-Alert bracelet at all times in case you are in an accident or

knocked unconscious, because doctors treating you know need to know

this in order to provide optimum treatment. "

Presumably in case of an injury, you are under additional stress and

might require additional corticol.

W.

[Guest guest]

So, it would appear that this problem was not solved over the

weekend! I don't have any answers, but here are my observations: If

iit really is okay to throw as much adrenal cortex extract at the

problem, as Andy suggests, then that is what we would do here,

because it seems to work better than the Isocort. But the fact that

the ACE seems to works so well suggests to me that it has a not-

insignificant amount of cortisol in it. Back to square one.

Anne

> >

> >

> > I can't answer the question about amount of cortisol in

> > glandulars. Maybe Andy feels it is generally an insignificant

> > amount?

> >

> > I was pointing out that I remembered reading comments from

> > Andy that steroid use was not recommended for kids *unless

> > necessary.* * * [My emphasis added.] I think this is the post

I am

> > remembering:

> >

> > http://onibasu.com/archives/am/69709.html

> >

> > That is a bit old - but he also says in this more recent post

> > not to use for more than a few days at a careful dose *unless

> > necessary:* * *[My emphasis added.]

>

> http://onibasu.com/archives/am/171011.html

> >

> > --

>

>

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------

> From: Cochran <Ladyshrink111@...>

> Date: Apr 29, 2006 4:06 AM

> Subject: Re: [ ] Adrenal cortex vs. adrenal cortex

extract

>

>

> I keep feeling like I am missing a piece of information on this

discussion

> of adrenal cortex/Isocort.

>

> There has to be some reason Andy recommends lots of adrenal

cortex but only

> small doses of Isocort for a few days.

>

> I have read that when you give low dose cortisol for any length

of time

> there should be a lengthy, consistent, slow reduction that takes

place over

> a number of months, but have never read that about adrenal cortex.

> What am I missing here? It seems unlikely that the only

difference between

> the two is that one cannot guarantee the amount and the other is

not

> labeled.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, actually that doesn't sound too bad, sounds like 1/2 the country should

have a medic alert bracelet.

Now we are left with the growth issues and also the fact that anyone on even low

dose cortisol has to be very slowly weaned off of the drug, not so with adrenal

cortex.

I assume 's concern is based on pg. 20 of Safe Uses of Cortisol:

" If you have mild or more severe adrenal deficiency, you should wear a

Medic-Alert bracelet at all times in case you are in an accident or

knocked unconscious, because doctors treating you know need to know

this in order to provide optimum treatment. "

Presumably in case of an injury, you are under additional stress and

might require additional corticol.

W.

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