Your adrenal glands play an important role in controlling several hormone-related activities in your body. They play a key role in your stress response, with different parts of the adrenal gland responsible for different roles. This article will explore your adrenal gland function, what it is, why it's important, what can happen if this functioning declines, and what you can do to improve it.
You have two adrenal glands that sit on top of your kidneys. Each of your adrenal glands contains two separate parts: the outer layer, called the adrenal cortex, and the inner part, called the adrenal medulla. These two parts secrete different hormones that travel throughout your body and act as chemical messengers. They act on various bodily organs and tissues, enabling them to work correctly. All hormones from the adrenal gland are called adrenocortical hormones derived from cholesterol (1).
Your adrenal gland function receives signals from the pituitary gland in your brain and will act on these signals to perform a function. The main role of this gland is to control the endocrine glands.
The main job of your adrenal gland is to produce and secrete hormones that affect numerous body functions. Some of these functions include:
Different parts of your adrenal glands produce different hormones.
Three hormones come from the adrenal cortex. These hormones are:
Mineralocorticoids include aldosterone. Aldosterone balances your body’s salt and water levels, which affects your blood pressure. Therefore, if this part of your adrenal gland function doesn’t work properly, your kidneys lose too much salt and water, resulting in dehydration and low blood pressure.
Glucocorticoids, mostly cortisol, comprise the next category of hormones from the adrenal cortex. In addition to its stress-fighting properties, cortisol regulates your metabolism and how you respond to illness. Likewise, it stimulates glucose production by helping your body release stored ingredients from fat and muscle to make glucose. In addition, cortisol works to help fight inflammation. Cortisol also functions as your first-line stress-fighting hormone.
The third category of adrenal cortex hormones comprises male sex hormones. While these hormones, mostly dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone, produce relatively weak effects, they do play a role in the development of the male sex organs early in childhood. In addition, they affect the development of female body hair during puberty.
The anterior pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), signaling the adrenals to release glucocorticoids and androgens. To a lesser extent, it also affects the release of aldosterone (1).
Catecholamines come from the adrenal medulla. These hormones include adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine. These hormones make up a major part of the stress response, the "fight or flight" response to a stressor. During stress, adrenaline and noradrenaline help your body respond to stress by increasing your heart rate, maintaining blood pressure, and relaxing smooth muscles. Dopamine is a brain hormone dubbed the happy hormone, as it can help increase feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Combining these three hormones can help play an important role in your emotional health (1).
If your adrenal gland function declines, the levels of hormones it is responsible for can become too low or too high, resulting in conditions such as adrenal insufficiency, adrenal fatigue, and Cushing's syndrome.
Other conditions involving the adrenal gland include tumors, cancers, and an enlarged adrenal gland known as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). As the name suggests, individuals are born with this condition.
Adrenal insufficiency occurs when your adrenal gland function fails to produce enough cortisol. Three types of insufficiency can occur:
Also called Addison’s disease, this condition occurs when your adrenal gland function itself doesn’t make enough cortisol, and aldosterone levels may also be low.
This condition occurs when the pituitary gland doesn’t produce enough ACTH. Insufficient ACTH means the adrenal glands don’t get the signal to produce cortisol.
This occurs when your brain doesn’t produce enough corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). If the level of CRH is too low, your pituitary can’t make ACTH, and your adrenals can’t make cortisol.
Another form of adrenal insufficiency is Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS), which is the non-Addison's form of adrenal dysfunction, where the body's stress response cannot keep up with life's chronic stressors. AFS occurs due to long-term stress. In short-term stress, the adrenal glands produce cortisol in response to the stress. However, when this stress becomes long-term, your adrenal glands can deplete, resulting in low cortisol levels. The difference between AFS and Addison's disease is that in AFS, cortisol levels are low, while in Addison's disease, there is no cortisol.
The NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response System supports your adrenal glands. This system consists of six circuits of related organs and systems. When AFS occurs, imbalances within this system start to occur, particularly in the Hormone circuit. This circuit regulates the hormones in your body and consists of the adrenal glands, thyroid glands, and reproductive organs.
Imbalances in this circuit can cause symptoms such as:
In Cushing's syndrome, your adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. This condition is caused by tumors as well as using high doses of the medication class glucocorticoids. Symptoms of Cushing's syndrome include:
If your practitioner is concerned about your adrenal gland function, they may order some tests. These tests could include:
Blood tests are generally the first test used when conventional doctors try to assess the adrenal gland function. These tests measure adrenal and pituitary hormones, sodium, potassium, and glucose.
If the results indicate problems, imaging may follow. Imaging may show potential tumors, deterioration of endocrine tissue, and other possible issues.
Saliva tests are rarely done in conventional medicine because they are not FDA-approved. However, they are a good marker of adrenal fatigue when used with symptoms because they test free cortisol in your body throughout the day over a series of 4-5 saliva tests.
Several vitamins, minerals, herbs, and supplements can help improve adrenal gland function. However, you should always talk to a doctor before adding new supplements to your diet, particularly if you have any preexisting health conditions.
Several vitamins and minerals can help enhance the adrenal glands' function. These include (2,3) :
Adaptogenic herbs are particularly helpful for managing stress, improving adrenal gland function, and restoring balance in your body. Some examples of adaptogens include:
While many nutrients and herbs can be found in food, often the safest and healthiest way to get them, many people prefer to supplement. Supplements allow you to receive higher doses of the nutrients that you may not receive through food and ensure you are getting enough.
Adrenal Rescue by Dr. Lam is a supplement that combines several nutrients. It includes vitamins C and B5 and adaptogens, including ashwagandha, maca root, and licorice. This supplement also contains glandulars, which can help enhance the function of the adrenals. This can help when adrenal function is low.
However, though supplementation can be promising, it is always important to check with your healthcare provider before you start a new regimen. Some supplements can backfire or may not meet your body's needs. Also, it depends on your stage of adrenal fatigue and whether you should take glandulars or adaptogens.
Your adrenal glands provide essential hormones that keep your body functioning as it should. These hormones affect every aspect of your body. The outer cortex of your adrenals produces some hormones, while others come from the inner medulla.
Adrenal gland function disorders can affect the levels of hormones produced by your adrenals. These disorders can prompt your adrenals to produce either too little or too much of these hormones.
Dr. Michael Lam's Nutritional Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Program is a holistic 30-day online course designed by Dr. Lam, an adrenal fatigue survivor and physician. This self-paced program offers a blend of Dr. Lam's proprietary supplements, the detailed "Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome" eBook, instructional videos, and guides on diet, stress management, and exercises for adrenal recovery. Participants gain strategies for restful sleep and increased energy and learn about the stages of adrenal fatigue. The program includes lifetime access to all materials, ensuring users have support to recover vitality and health through a simple, step-by-step recovery plan.
Support Your Adrenal Glands
Dutt, Meghan. “Physiology, Adrenal Gland.” StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf, 1 May 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537260/.
Wan, Zhijie, et al. “Intermediate Role of Gut Microbiota in Vitamin B Nutrition and Its Influences on Human Health.” Frontiers in Nutrition, vol. 9, Dec. 2022, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1031502.
Patani, Anil, et al. “Harnessing the Power of Nutritional Antioxidants Against Adrenal Hormone Imbalance-associated Oxidative Stress.” Frontiers in Endocrinology, vol. 14, Nov. 2023, https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1271521.
Adrenal gland function is easily one of the most important aspects of good health. The hormones produced by the adrenal glands affect all aspects of your body and either too much or too little of them can bring lasting health issues. It’s important to be aware of how well yours is functioning.
