Adrenal+™

Adrenal fatigue is a term not recognized by the medical community. It is a term used for several nonspecific symptoms, including body aches, nervousness, fatigue, tiredness, exhaustion, sleep disturbances, and digestive problems.

The adrenal glands produce several hormones that are important to the organism and essential to life. The medical term “adrenal insufficiency” represents the lack of production of one or more of these hormones as a result of illness or surgery.

Common symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may include exhaustion, fatigue, insomnia, body aches, weight loss, low blood pressure, light headaches, and loss of hair, among others.

Adrenal fatigue can be caused by constant chronic stress and being overworked. The theory behind adrenal fatigue is that the adrenal glands are not able to keep up with the demands of perpetual fight-or-flight arousal and constant stress. Stress can be physical, emotional, psychological, environmental, infectious, or a combination of these.  Current blood tests, according to this theory, are not sensitive enough to provide an explanation or objective diagnosis, but the organism is.

Adrenal+™ is a combination of vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts. This product has been formulated to support adrenal function. Clinical research has demonstrated that environmental, physical, and psychological stress can deplete the adrenal glands, causing decreased cortisol and other hormone secretion.

Out of all the vitamins involved in adrenal function, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is the most important one. In fact, the more cortisol is made, the more vitamin C is used.  Vitamin C plays an essential role in the adrenal hormone cascade and supports the production and availability of adrenal steroid hormones. Blood levels of vitamin C are used as the best indicator of adrenal function level in animal studies. Vitamin C is used throughout the adrenal cascade and acts as an antioxidant within the adrenal cortex itself.

Bioflavonoids are essential if ascorbic acid is to be fully metabolized and utilized by the body.  The ratio of bioflavonoids to vitamin C should be 1:2. The addition of bioflavonoids enhances the effectiveness of ascorbic acid in the organism, allowing its action to be more complete.

Essential for the nervous system, calcium helps the nervous system and develops inner calm, among many other important functions.

A cofactor for several enzymatic pathways in the adrenal gland cascade, vitamin B6, as Pyridoxyl-5-Phosphate (P5P), the natural form of vitamin B6, has also been added to this supplement.  A small percentage of the population in the US has difficulty metabolizing regular B6 (Pyridoxine HCL) and, as a result, requires P5P vitamin B6 to fully activate these enzymatic pathways.

The manufacturing of adrenal hormones generates substances called free radicals that can cause damage inside cells if not controlled.  Vitamin E absorbs and neutralizes these damaging free radical molecules inside the adrenal glands and throughout the body.

Important for adrenal recovery, magnesium is essential for the production of enzymes and energy necessary for the adrenal hormone cascade. Several of the steps that create energy in all of the cells, but especially in the adrenal glands, are so dependent on the presence of the mineral magnesium. Magnesium works synergistically with vitamin C and pantothenic acid to support and enhance adrenal function.

Niacin, in addition to pantothenic acid, is one of the most important B vitamins for the adrenal cascade. Large amounts of niacin are necessary to form the molecular structure of certain niacin-dependent coenzymes, imperative for several steps in this cascade.

Trace minerals such as zinc, copper, selenium, and chromium are vital for the organism and overall adrenal health.

The herb best known for supporting adrenal function is licorice. Licorice is known to increase energy, endurance, vitality, and act as a mild tonic. It is known to fortify cortisone levels, arguably the most important hormone in stress and adrenal fatigue.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen (part of a group of herbs that support the organism’s natural ability to deal with stress) that promotes thyroid and adrenal function. It regulates cortisol levels, which can improve energy levels and reduce stress. Ashwagandha supports the nervous system, relieves anxiety, and balances hormones.

Arctic root (Rhodiola) is another adaptogen widely known as an anti-stress herb for mood disorders, fatigue, and adrenal weakness. One of Rhodiola’s health benefits includes restoring balance to the adrenal glands in the early stages of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS). When rhodiola is taken during the early stages of AFS, individuals may notice increased energy levels or a greater sense of calm.

Korean Ginseng is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to reduce physical and mental exhaustion, increase immunity, and facilitate adaptation to stress. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is considered a key agent for enhancing energy and longevity.

Eleuthero, previously called Siberian ginseng, is not actually considered part of the ginseng family. Still, this herb offers a wide range of benefits that help support and revitalize adrenal function while enhancing the body’s resilience to stress.

Low levels of iodine may affect the adrenal gland’s ability to produce cortisol. Kelp seaweed is considered one of the best sources of iodine. It has been demonstrated that low levels of iodine may increase the risk of developing adrenal exhaustion.

An additional adaptogen, important for the adrenals, is ginger. Ginger helps modulate cortisol levels, increase energy and metabolic rate, and stimulate digestive enzyme secretion for proteins and fatty acids, among other functions.

Ginkgo biloba is known for promoting peripheral circulation and neuroprotective effects.  Ginkgo biloba has been shown to lessen tissue damage from inflammation, elevate mood in people prone to depression, and decrease mental fatigue. Its unique qualities make it valuable to an adrenal recovery plan.