pituitary gland, the adrenal glands are possibly the most important glands in
the body. The reason for this is twofold. First, they produce
neurotransmitters, which are essential for brain and nerve function. These
neurotransmitters include epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine and
dopamine, which affect the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system,
turning nerve responses on or off. This affects almost all tissues in the body,
including the heart, vascular system, intestines, skin and kidneys. The
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems comprise the two divisions
of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This system regulates your
unconscious (involuntary) tissue actions like pupil dilation and constriction,
heartbeat and breathing.
Low blood pressure (systolic under 118) is always an indicator of
adrenal weakness, and at least 50 percent of high blood pressure cases reflect
adrenal (medulla) weakness as well. A healthy blood pressure is 120–130
systolic (top number) over 60–70 diastolic (bottom number). Long-term
effects of adrenal medulla weakness include, but are not limited to: asthma,
multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, panic attacks, shyness and
impatience.
The second reason for the importance of the adrenal glands is the cortex
(or outer portion) that produces cortical-type steroids or hormones. These
hormones include glucocorticoids (cortisol and cortisone for carbohydrate
utilization); aldosterone (regulating our electrolytes, sodium and potassium);
estradiol (an estrogen); and progestins (including progesterone). Many of
these steroids act as anti-inflammatory compounds, which are vital to
combating inflammatory processes within the body. These steroids affect
muscle, nerve, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular tissues.
Cortisol, for example, is a catabolic hormone (steroid) that initiates
change and activates breakdown. Cortisol also aids in the conversion of fat
and protein to glucose. Cortisol is one of the adrenal gland’s (glucocorticoid)
steroids that mediates inflammation. Catabolic (breakdown) processes in the
body generally cause acidosis, hence inflammation. This process can produce
a great amount of inflammation and tissue damage. This damage stimulates
the adrenal glands to increase cortisol production, which can cause further
inflammation.
Also, excess production of cortisol from the adrenal glands can affect
blood pressure by increasing or reducing the loss of sodium in the urine,
because cortisol increases protein breakdown and decreases protein synthesis.
It affects all the other tissues in the body. Especially hard hit is your muscle