The adrenal gland and the 'just being sick' syndrome

Part 3 in a series...

My last two columns have focused on the adrenal glands and their role in combating stress.

I have briefly reviewed the work of Hans Selye, M.D. in this area, and discussed the predictable physiological response of the body to stress of any kind, be it mechanical, emotional or chemical. The response involves the sympathetic nervous system and its embryological outgrowth, the adrenal medulla.

Anytime an organ is stressed in its role of maintaining homeostasis, it requires increased nutrition and creates more waste in meeting its responsibilities.

In the case of the adrenal glands, it is fashionable to sell vitamins B and C packaged in a so-called "stress formula." In reality, protein is the nutrient needed to nourish the adrenals, the digestive tract, and the immune system as they struggle against the deleterious and accumulative effects of stress.

In response to any significantly strong or long-lasting stress, the sympathetic nervous system initiates its "fright, fight, or flight" response. This triggers a general catabolic response by the body as it searches for the nutrients necessary to nourish its overworked organs.

The universal nutrient used to maintain homeostasis is protein, as witnessed by the function of the plasma proteins. You will recall that plasma proteins are not used by the cells as food but instead circulate constantly throughout the blood, performing vital functions:

>>> They act as buffers to help maintain acid-base balance.

>>> They bind and transport many critically important compounds, such as lipids, hormones, vitamins, minerals, etc. Many nutritional problems can be laid at the doorstep of inadequate plasma proteins.

>>> They determine the colloidal osmotic pressure of plasma. In other words, they maintain fluid balance between the blood, tissue fluid, and the cells.

>>> They bind and detoxify dangerous drugs and other toxic substances.

Therein lies the problem: these plasma proteins remain in the plasma and cannot be used by the cells for nourishment. Since the plasma proteins cannot be utilized to meet the demands of stress, the body catabolizes its own tissues beginning with the adrenal glands, and if necessary proceeding to the stomach tissues, and then the immune system.

Deficiency symptoms

The following are symptoms of protein deficiency:

-- Chronic fatigue.

-- Loss of taste for meat and proteinaceous foods which indicates not only a protein deficiency but a lack of adequate hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

-- Deficiency of tyrosine (inability to digest protein or excessive use of carbohydrates) which results in the deficiency of dopamine and norepinephrine. These catecholamines are alertness chemicals and deficiency results in the following:

1) Lack of motivation and mental lethargy

2) Slow reaction time

3) Inability to concentrate

-- Deficiency of tryptophane and results in a deficiency of serotonin which is associated with:

1) Increased feelings of stress and tension

2) Exaggerated reactions (startles easily)

3) Inability to concentrate

4) Loss of appetite

The physical signs of protein deficiency are:

... Cold hands and feet

... Edema, swollen ankles, water retention

... Loose, hanging flesh, especially in the abdomen and under the arms

Laboratory recognition of protein deficiency:

... Albumin in the urine

... High serum cholesterol, with low HDLs

... Low serum calcium levels

... Iron deficiency anemia

Female protein needs

I don't think it will come as any surprise that women have more problems metabolizing protein than men. This often leads to the suggestion that women should include more protein in their diet. However, I respectfully submit that this would not be beneficial. The reasons for this may be surprising. Not surprisingly, they concern a) billary function and b) menstruation.

a) billary dysfunction -- Taurine is a sulfur-containing, non-essential amino acid. It is needed for the formation of taurocholic acid, one of the two major bile acids needed for the emulsification of fats. It increases billrubin and cholesterol excretion in bile, critical to normal billary function.

Males have a greater supply of the enzymes needed to form taurine than do females. This apparently accounts for increased billary problems in females.

b) menstrual cycle -- One study of healthy women revealed that their urinary nitrogen levels fluctuated with their menstrual cycles.

Menstruation is controlled mainly by cyclical changes in the level of the sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen tends to encourage the body to make proteins when it is given to postmenopausal women, and progesterone tends to prevent proteins from breaking down.

Urinary nitrogen levels indicate the amount of protein utilization in the body, and these sex hormones tend to reduce the amount of nitrogen available for measurement in the urine, indicating decreased protein metabolism.

The study found the lowest levels around the time of ovulation, when the higher levels of estrogen and progesterone are found in the blood. The highest nitrogen levels were found as menses approached and the levels of estrogen and progesterone were at their lowest.