Adrenal extract as a dietary supplement
Adrenal extract is a dietary supplement derived from the adrenal glands of animals, such as cows and pigs, and is often marketed for its proposed health benefits, particularly in relation to adrenal exhaustion and stress. Proponents claim that these extracts can enhance the function of underperforming adrenal glands, although this theory lacks scientific backing. Historically, glandular extracts were utilized in medicine as sources of hormones, but modern formulations do not contain significant levels of adrenal hormones.
Some manufacturers suggest that consuming adrenal extracts could provide nutrients that support human adrenal function or offer immune-related benefits; however, there is no empirical evidence to validate these claims. The concept of "adrenal exhaustion," which suggests that chronic stress weakens adrenal glands, is not substantiated by scientific research. Furthermore, no rigorous clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of adrenal extracts in their current form. As a result, while adrenal extracts are widely available and promoted in alternative medicine, their actual health benefits remain questionable and unsupported by modern scientific investigation.
Adrenal extract as a dietary supplement
DEFINITION: Natural substance promoted as a dietary supplement for specific health benefits.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Adrenal exhaustion, stress
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Allergies, asthma, fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorders
Overview
The adrenal gland, an endocrine gland situated near the kidneys, is divided into inner and outer. The inner portion (medulla) secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (adrenaline). The outer portion (the cortex) manufactures the hormones cortisone and aldosterone. All these hormones are necessary for life.
Adrenal extracts are made from the adrenal glands of cows, pigs, or other animals. According to a theory prevalent in alternative medicine, the consumption of adrenal extracts can strengthen the function of an underperforming or exhausted adrenal gland. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this belief and no rational justification to indicate that it might be true.
Early in the twentieth century, physicians used glandular extracts as an actual source of hormones. For example, extracts of ovaries were used to supply female hormones such as progesterone. Similarly, animal adrenal glands may contain significant levels of adrenal hormones. This is the basis for some recommended uses of adrenal extracts, such as allergies, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis (conditions that respond to cortisone). However, modern adrenal extracts are manufactured so they do not contain significant levels of adrenal hormones. Therefore, it is difficult to find any justification for their use along these lines.
Uses and Applications
Some manufacturers of glandular products claim that the animal version of an organ provides nutrients that support the corresponding organ in humans. However, there is no evidence that the human adrenal gland requires any nutrients uniquely available in animal adrenals.
Scientific Evidence
One manufacturer of glandular products suggests that consuming an organ's extracts might offer immune-related benefits. According to this theory, some people may possess antibodies to some of their glands; consuming an animal version of the gland will divert these antibodies from their target. However, this explanation does not make much sense. Antibodies are primarily produced against proteins, and even if cow adrenal glands had the same proteins as human adrenal glands, which is unlikely, proteins are not absorbed whole into the bloodstream.
It may be that, on an unconscious level, those who recommend glandular extracts are being influenced by the ancient notion of sympathetic magic—the idea that eating a lion’s heart, for example, will create courage. However, this is a prescientific form of thinking that is difficult to take seriously in the modern era.
The proposed action of adrenal glandular extracts is questionable, and their primary proposed purpose for use is also doubtful. Adrenal glandular extracts are most often recommended for treating a purported condition called adrenal exhaustion. In adrenal exhaustion, the adrenal glands are supposedly weakened by the chronic stresses of modern life and incapable of performing at full capacity. However, there is no scientific basis for believing this to be true. The notion of adrenal exhaustion developed due to studies done in the mid-twentieth century involving extreme, life-threatening stress; the studies do not support milder, common adrenal fatigue. (Even if adrenal fatigue did exist, there is no scientific reason to think that adrenal extracts would help.)
Finally, no meaningful scientific studies have found benefits with adrenal gland extracts in their modern, nonhormonal form. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can show effective treatment; none have been reported for adrenal extracts.
Bibliography
Akturk, Halis Kaan, et al. "Over-the-Counter 'Adrenal Support' Supplements Contain Thyroid and Steroid-Based Adrenal Hormones." Mayo Clinic, vol. 93, no. 3, 2018, pp. 284-290, doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.10.019.
Balingit, Angelica. "Why You Should Avoid Adrenal Extract." Healthline, 21 Jan. 2022, www.healthline.com/health/why-you-should-avoid-adrenal-extract. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.
Morris, Rebecca. "Why You Should Avoid Adrenal Extract." Healthline, 21 Jan. 2022, www.healthline.com/health/why-you-should-avoid-adrenal-extract. Accessed 15 Aug. 2023.
Sneader, Walter. "Adrenal Cortex Hormones." In Drug Discovery: A History. Wiley, 2005.