Adrenal Support Formulas
CONTROLLING HORMONES THAT SUPPORT KEY BODILY FUNCTIONS
- Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenaline Support Formula is designed to support the lack of adrenaline.
- Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenal Desiccated Glandular Formula is designed to support cortisol in the body.
Our adrenal glands, and their ability to function properly, are very important to our overall health and impact some very important body functions such as:
- Your body temperature
- Your blood pressure reading
- The rate of your pulse
- Your ability to deal with stress
- Your ability to multitask
- Your memory
- The secretion of cortisol and weight management
HOW ARE YOUR ADRENALS FUNCTIONING?
- Do you wake up at 6-7 a.m. feeling great, rested, and revived with plenty of energy?
- Do you go to sleep easily around 9-10 p.m. and sleep 8-9 uninterrupted hours?
- Do you have sustained energy all day from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep?
-
Would you say your memory is great?
If you said NO to any, or all of the above, you may want to read on to learn about your adrenal glands and how, if not working properly, they may be impacting your health and wellness.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF YOUR ADRENAL GLANDS?
The adrenal glands (which are part of the endocrine system) are small walnut-sized glands that are located above the kidneys.
They are triangular-shaped and are about the size and color of a fortune cookie. Each gland consists of a medulla (the center of the gland) which is surrounded by the cortex (outer part of the gland).
Together these glands produce several key hormones that control almost every function in the body.
Role of the Medulla (Inner)
The inner adrenal glands, the Medulla, is responsible for producing catecholamines, or adrenaline-type hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Have ever experienced that sudden panic feeling and anxiety when something happens unexpectedly? If you have, then you probably also experienced tingles and felt like you were ready to either run away or stand up and fight. This is usually referred to as the "fight-or-flight" syndrome, and it is caused by the sudden release of adrenaline from our adrenal glands.
The Role of the Adrenal Cortex (Outer)
The adrenal cortex produces a handful of hormones that are essential for your body to balance fluids and electrolytes (salt). The adrenal cortex has three layers and each layer has specific functions:
- Zona Glomerulosa produces the hormone aldosterone as well as some small amounts of progesterone (a sex hormone).
- Zona Fasciculata primarily produces cortisol.
- Zona Reticularis stores cholesterol for steroidogenesis (the making of steroid hormones and the secretion of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone in small amounts).
UNDERSTANDING THE ADRENAL RHYTHM AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO YOUR HEALTH
The human adrenal glands do not secrete steroid hormones at a constant level throughout the day. When functioning properly, hormones are released in a cycle, with the highest value in the morning and the lowest value at night.
This 24-hour cycle is called the circadian rhythm and is depicted in the image below.
Did you know?
Without a minimum amount of sleep, which for many of us is about 8 hours of sleep, the adrenal glands cannot fully recover from the day’s stressors and the body cannot repair!
An abnormal adrenal rhythm can influence many functions of the body in many ways.
Let's take a look at what happens when the normal Adrenal Rhythm starts to change...
Energy Production
Muscle & Joint Function
Abnormal adrenal rhythms are known to compromise tissue healing, reduced tissue repair, and increased tissue breakdown which can lead to muscle and joint wasting with chronic pain.
Bone Health
The adrenal rhythm determines how well we build bone. If the night and morning cortisol levels are elevated, our bones do not rebuild well and we are more prone to osteoporosis. Stress is the enemy of the bones. In postmenopausal women, the effect of stress worsens due to female hormone imbalances.
Immune Health
Sleep Quality
The ability to enter REM sleep cycles and experience regenerative sleep is interrupted by high cortisol values at night and in the morning. A chronic lack of REM sleep can reduce a person’s mental vitality and vigor and induce depression.
Skin Regeneration
Human skin regenerates mostly during the night. With higher night cortisol values, less skin regeneration takes place. Therefore a normal cortisol rhythm is essential for optimal skin health.
Thyroid Function
The level of cortisol at the cellular level controls thyroid hormone production. Often, hypothyroid symptoms such as fatigue and low body temperature are due to adrenal dysfunction.
Grain Intolerance & Stress Response
Approximately 12% to 18% of the U.S. population suffers from a genetic intolerance to grains, such as wheat, rye or barley contained in cereals, bread and pasta.
The gut becomes inflamed within 30 minutes after consuming grains and this can lead to an adrenal stress response, increased cortisol, and reduced Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA: which is an important precursor hormone. Precursors are substances that are converted by the body into hormones).
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
A common hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis defect in CFS is impaired corticotrophin release. As a result, low cortisol and eventual adrenal atrophy may be observed. Depleted adrenals with flat rhythms are often seen when using adrenal function testing.
Glycemic Dysregulation
Chronic hypoglycemia can impair normal adrenal function by repetitive overstimulation of cortisol production. Recurring exposure to high cortisol will impair insulin activity and invariably lead to insulin resistance and beta-cell exhaustion (diabetes). The ASI™ panel investigates the insulin-cortisol relationship under real-life conditions to allow targeted and meaningful interventions. This panel is useful in the following clinical situations: rapid weight gain and obesity, deranged blood lipids, sugar blues, early diabetes, and associated emotional disturbances.
Allergies/Autoimmune Disorders
More than 50 years ago, Dr. W. Jefferies (author of Safe Uses of Cortisol discovered that patients with environmentally triggered allergies and autoimmune diseases dramatically benefited when given cortisol for other purposes. More recently, German researchers reported that disruption of the adrenal axis and cytokine relationships lead to predisposition and aggravation of autoimmune diseases. The findings of the ASI™ help identify patients with autoimmune diseases and adrenal problems who can benefit from cortisol supplements.
Depression/ADD
If you were to search online, you could find several recent publications reporting a hyperactive HPA axis in depressed patients. Elevated midnight salivary cortisol is now considered one of the best tests in diagnosing endogenous depression. Other anomalies in cortisol rhythm usually accompany the midnight elevation. On the other hand, cortisol elevations and rhythm disruptions throughout the day are typical of attention deficit disorders (ADD).
THE ADRENAL THYROID CONNECTION
It is very important to understand the connection between the thyroid and the adrenals.
There are millions of people who are diagnosed with thyroid conditions many of whom also have dysfunctional adrenals. In addition, many individuals who are testing for adrenal dysfunction tend to have diagnosed thyroid issues.
A dysfunctional thyroid
may be secondary to dysfunctional adrenals
Let’s look at how the Adrenals play a role in Thyroid Function...
It is important to understand that, in most cases, the malfunctioning thyroid gland is not the actual cause of the problem. Other areas of the body are usually responsible for the thyroid condition; and, while different areas of the body can be affected, in many cases it’s the weakened adrenal glands that lead to the development of the thyroid condition. The reason this is important to understand is that when the adrenal glands are causing the thyroid gland to malfunction, a healthcare professional often aims their treatment directly at the thyroid gland and ignores the adrenals. If this is the case, there is absolutely no chance of restoring the patient’s health back to normal.
Although this seems quite obvious, most endocrinologists and general medical practitioners focus on the thyroid alone rather than include the adrenal glands when a patient is presenting with thyroid symptoms. It is common that the doctor will take a case history, perform an exam, and request simple thyroid blood tests usually only for TSH levels; then assuming the TSH is high or low, prescribe thyroid medication for the rest of the patient’s life (or sometimes RAI for those with hyperthyroidism). Why don’t they evaluate the entire endocrine system, including the adrenal glands? The primary reason is that medical doctors are not typically trained to do so in medical school.
How can weakened adrenal glands lead to the development of a thyroid condition?
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADRENALINE SUPPORT & ADRENAL GLANDULAR FORMULAS
| Dr. Tennant' ® Adrenaline Support Formula | Designed to support the lack of ADRENALINE |
| Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenal Desiccated Glandular | Designed to support ADRENALS, CORTISOL & ENDOCRINE HEALTH |
Adrenaline vs Cortisol Support
How do I know which one to take?
We always recommend that you consult a healthcare practitioner before taking any supplement. However, here is some useful information.
A useful guide to adrenal function appears to be the blood pressure:
- Systolic (top or first number) appears to be related to adrenal cortex function (cortisol and aldosterone)
- Diastolic (bottom or second number) appears to be related to adrenaline (tone of peripheral vasculature)
The adrenal cortex makes cortisol (affecting blood sugar and inflammation), aldosterone (how much sodium and thus how much water the kidneys retain), as well as testosterone. It appears that when the adrenal cortex is stimulated, you get a release of all three. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is contracting and is largely influenced by how much fluid volume you have in the system. Thus an increase in aldosterone increases blood pressure above 140 whereas a deficiency of aldosterone would result in systolic blood pressure below 120.
Adrenaline is usually ignored because we don’t have a blood test for it. However, it is very important. It appears that diastolic blood pressure is greatly influenced by adrenaline. Diastolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest. This is largely controlled by the amount of constriction of the peripheral blood vessels, which is controlled by a combination of the effects of adrenaline and nitric oxide. An increase in adrenaline constricts the vessels and tends to raise the diastolic pressure above 90. A lack of adrenaline results in dilation of the peripheral vessels and thus a diastolic pressure below 80.
Confusion exists because the NIH has published that blood pressure should be <110/70. However, most of the doctors on the committee that made that recommendation worked for pharmaceutical companies that sell blood pressure medications. The Cochran Medical Group(1) in the UK does not allow such conflicts of interest. They found that blood pressure should not be treated unless the systolic is above 140 or the diastolic is above 90 and that the fewest heart attacks occurred when the diastolic was 86! Many, if not most people with blood pressures below 120/80, don’t feel well because their organs aren’t getting adequate oxygen and nutrition; they have poor adrenal function and experience trouble dealing with the stresses of life.
Here's a summary...
|
BP numbers: Example120/80 |
Part of the Organ Responsible |
Hormones supported |
Which Dr. Tennant’s® Formula to use |
|
Systolic |
Outer = Adrenal Cortex |
Cortisol (affecting blood sugar and inflammation), aldosterone (how much sodium and thus how much water the kidneys retain), as well as testosterone |
Dr. Tennant’s® Desiccated Glandular Formula |
|
Diastolic |
Inner = Medulla |
Catecholamines, or adrenaline-type hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine. |
Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenaline Support Formula |
DR TENNANT'S® ADRENALINE SUPPORT FORMULA
Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenaline Support Formula is designed to support the lack of adrenaline.
- A proprietary formula designed to support the body's natural balance of daily adrenaline production needs
- Supporting adrenaline production for overall energy in the body
- Promoting stress management and sleep regulation
- Help with thyroid and immune functions
Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenaline Support Formula is a proprietary herbal formula which includes tyrosine, vitamin C, vitamin B6 along with other vital ingredients to support the body's natural balance of adrenaline production each day!
Download Adrenal Support User Guide
What is in Dr. Tennant's® Adrenaline Support Formula?
Making adrenaline requires the amino acid tyrosine, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. These nutrients plus herbs known to support the adrenals are present in Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenaline Support Formula.
Let's take a look at them...
Tyrosine Complex
L-tyrosine is an amino acid precursor for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine.
By improving the rate of neurotransmitter synthesis, L-tyrosine stimulates the central nervous system. It appears to function as an adaptogen by relieving physical symptoms of stress, such as mood swings.
Chronically stressed individuals may benefit from supplementing with L-Tyrosine as they may not efficiently convert phenylalanine to L-tyrosine.
Natural Vitamin C Complex
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate)
Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P5P) is the metabolically active co-enzyme of vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 nutritional status may have a significant and selective modulatory impact on central production of both serotonin and GABA neurotransmitters, which can positively affect emotional response, pain perception, and anxiety.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a broad class of compounds found in numerous plants. Many flavonoid-rich plants have been shown to have beneficial effects on adaptation to stress and stress response, including camu camu, lemon peel and rose hips.
Dr. Tennant's® Adrenaline Support Formula Also Provides Select Herbs and Botanicals
Combined with the basic nutrients above, herbal adaptogens help to tailor Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenaline Support Formula to an individual’s needs.
The following adaptogenic herbs are included in Dr. Tennant's® Adrenal Support Formula:
Ashwagandha (with Ania Somnifera)
An herb with a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is one of the more relaxing adrenal restoratives. In individuals with lower adrenal output and anxiety or depression, ashwagandha can be helpful. Ashwagandha has been shown in animal studies to raise active thyroid hormone levels, and there is one case report of thyroid toxicosis associated with its use. Overall, the herb appears quite safe. However, in autoimmune thyroid cases, caution should be applied.
Rhodiola (Rhodila Rosea)
Rhodiola is an adaptogen that has research supporting its use for mental-emotional symptoms. Preliminary studies appear to indicate that beyond acting as an adaptogen, rhodiola may help with depression and anxiety. With lowered adrenal output and mental-emotional symptoms, rhodiola may help improve functioning on multiple levels.
Astralgus Root
This herb may aid adrenal fatigue by supporting the adrenal glands, which may be why it is effective in fighting fatigue generally. Many immune system supplements contain this herb mixed with vitamins and minerals and other natural herbs that are known to aid the immune system.
Schisandra Berry
Adaptogens are plants, such as the schisandra berry, that help the body respond to stress caused by internal and external forces. Schisandra berry may help the body better adapt to stressors that have a negative impact on the adrenal glands creating fatigue.
Holy Basil
As a adaptogen, holy basil is helpful in supporting the mind for all kinds of stress management and particularly for anxiety and depression. It has also been used to help with immune support and fighting infections, managing blood sugar, cholesterol and inflammation.
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DR. TENNANT’S® ADRENAL DESICCATED GLANDULAR FORMULA
The use of Adrenal Glandular Therapy is another option to consider for supporting lowered adrenal function. Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenal Desiccated Glandular Formula is designed to support the adrenals and endocrine health.
Glandular therapy has a long history of use in many cultures as support for weakened adrenal glands. The basic premise in glandular therapy is that glands from animals will have a healthy effect on the same glands in humans. Glandular therapy has been shown to help organs—like the adrenal gland—maintain a healthy state.
The extracts from glandular therapy contain all of the nutritional fundamentals, co-factors, and hormones present in the organ which can be considered a complete nutritional supplement for adrenal gland support.
Download Adrenal Desiccated Glandular Formula User Guide
Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenal Desiccated Glandular Formula:
- Contains nutritional components of the bovine adrenal glands, which help the adrenal glands adapt and manage stress.
- Provides powerful short-term adrenal support for immediate energy needs.
- Supports immune system function, which can be compromised with adrenal fatigue.
- Helps promote endocrine health and normal cellular function.
What is in Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenal Desiccated Glandular Formula?
Bovine adrenal is used in Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenal Desiccated Glandular Formula to provide concentrated nutrients that are especially supportive to their parallel tissues in the human body. Each capsule contains 200mg of Bovine Adrenal.
Adrenal Desiccated Helps Support:
Here are eight reasons some people may consider taking adrenal desiccated supplements:
Adrenal Fatigue Support: Proponents suggest that adrenal desiccated supplements can help support individuals experiencing adrenal fatigue, a condition characterized by chronic stress and fatigue. However, adrenal fatigue is not a recognized medical diagnosis, and its existence is disputed in conventional medicine.
Energy and Vitality: Some individuals believe that adrenal supplements may help boost energy levels and overall vitality, especially if they feel chronically fatigued or depleted.
Stress Management: Supporters claim that adrenal desiccated supplements can assist in managing stress and improving the body's response to stressors by supporting adrenal gland function. Again, this concept is not widely accepted in mainstream medicine.
Hormonal Balance: It's believed that these supplements may help balance hormone levels, particularly cortisol, which plays a role in stress response. However, this remains a subject of debate among healthcare professionals.
Immune System Support: Advocates suggest that adrenal desiccated supplements may enhance the immune system's function, helping the body better defend against infections and illnesses.
Thyroid Function: Some individuals use adrenal desiccated supplements in conjunction with thyroid treatment, as the adrenal glands and thyroid are interconnected in the body's endocrine system.
Allergy and Inflammation Relief: In alternative medicine circles, these supplements are sometimes used to alleviate allergy symptoms and reduce inflammation, as they contain compounds like histamine and cortisol.
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Reference
(1) Cochrane review finds no proved benefit in drug treatment for patients with mild hypertension.” BMJ 2012; 345 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e5511 (Published 14 August 2012) Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e5511
Featured Products in This Article:
Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenaline Support Formula: A proprietary herbal formula which includes Tyrosine, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6, along with other vital ingredients to support the body's natural balance of adrenaline production each day!
Dr. Tennant’s® Adrenal Desiccated Glandular Formula: Bovine adrenal is used to provide concentrated nutrients that are especially supportive to their parallel tissues in the human body. The use of an adrenal glandular therapy is another option for supporting lowered adrenal function.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always work with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement program.
