Thoracic 9 - Adrenal Glands
These two small glands, also called the suprarenal glands, sit atop each of your kidneys. They are a powerhouse of hormones that deal mostly with stress response in the body. The glands have two distinct regions, and inner medulla, and and out cortex.

The medulla produces:
1. epinephrine (also called adrenaline) which increases the heart rate and force of heart contractions, facilitates blood flow to the muscles and brain and helps with conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver among other activities.
2. norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline) which is a powerful vasoconstrictor that increases blood pressure.

The cortex makes:
1. hydrocortisone (also known as cortisol) which controls the body's use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
2. corticosterone which together with hydrocortisone hormones, suppresses inflammatory reactions and also the immune system.
3. aldosterone which inhibits the level of sodium excreted into the urine, maintaining blood volume and blood pressure.
androgenic steroids (androgen hormones) - these hormones have minimal effect on the development of male characteristics.
4. glucocorticoids which mobilize stored sugars for energy and convert protein into glucose for energy.

When we think of adrenal problems we often think of fatigue and intolerance to stress, but this is just part of the picture. Blood sugar regulation depends on adrenal function to offset the hypoglycemic effects of insulin. Low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension - that drop in blood pressure and light headed feeling when you stand up quickly - are often the result of poor adrenal function.

The ninth thoracic region is the nerve supply for the adrenal glands. A subluxation in this area can impair adrenal function and lead to such symptoms as low blood pressure, fatigue, blood sugar handling problems, obesity, reduced immune function and general pain and inflammation to mention a few.

A high stress lifestyle with poor nutrition, too little sleep and too many worries will cause the adrenal glands at first to hypertrophy (grow) and later, after they are overworked for too long, to atrophy (shrink). Experimental studies on mice show that when they are deliberately stressed their adrenal glands follow this pattern and predispose them to heart disease, diabetes and other degenerative diseases. It's true. Stress is a killer.

Nutritional Therapy
For adrenal problems we often use Drenamin (long term rebuilding and maintenance), Whole Dessicated Adrenal (to jump start tired adrenals), Allorganic Trace Minerals B12, Cataplex GTF, Diaplex, Symplex M, Symplex F, Chezyn, Pituitrophin PMG, Hypothalamus PMG, Hypothalmex, Zinc Liver Chelate and other Standard Process™ whole food supplements.

Nearly everybody can be on Drenamin. Ask Dr. Greenwood if this is a good product for you.