Michaels Naturopathic Programs Adrenal Factors Stress Support

Adrenal gland facts

•  Produces steroid hormone, cortisol (the stress hormone);
•  Produces adrenaline and noradrenaline, the fight or flight neurotransmitters;
•  Communicates with the liver to release glycogen for breakdown into glucose;
•  Adaptation to conditions so that responses are even and balanced and not severe;
•  Helps immune system to act and suppresses inflammatory reactions;
•  Secondary site of sex hormone production (main site of sex hormone production is the testes in men and ovaries in women);
•  Supports correct blood pressure and sodium levels by production of aldosterone.

Remember, steroid hormone production depends on the presence and mobilization of cholesterol.

Vitamin C – concentrated in the adrenal glands and is necessary for the production of both steroid hormones and neurotransmitters. It is needed for the production of cortisol.
Pantothenic Acid – a part of the coenzyme A molecule that is essential to all high energy tissues of the body. Coenzyme A starts the Krebs cycle of energy production.
B12 – because all energy issues may not be due to stress.
Eleuthero (formerly called Siberian Ginseng) and Ashwagandha are adaptogenic herbs: they can help the body to normalize or adapt to changing situations and provide added support for the immune system, a secondary system affected by stress.
Turmeric – used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for the support of the liver and gall bladder, perhaps due to its antioxidant action. Curcumin - an active ingredient in the herb Turmeric, induces stress response proteins (called “molecular chaperones”).
Licorice – Traditional herb for nourishing the adrenals.