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Ashish Katke and Sarah Rangnekar
Jun 10, 2023

Understanding the Adrenal Glands and Maintaining Their Health


What you need to know!

  • The adrenal glands also known as the suprarenal glands are situated above the kidneys and are categorized as endocrine glands which means that these glands secrete their secretions directly into the bloodstream inside the body.

  • The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands located on the upper portion of each kidney. In adults, each adrenal gland weighs approximately 4-5 grams.

  • They produce essential hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline, which have significant effects on various bodily processes such as metabolism, blood pressure regulation, and the body's response to stress.

  • These hormones play a crucial role in regulating the conversion and control of energy derived from the food we consume which helps regulation of Blood pressure, response to stress, and development of sexual characteristics.

Anatomy of adrenal glands:

The adrenal gland is separated from the organ kidney by a wall of connective tissues also known as a septum.

Each adrenal gland is further divided into two parts :

  • The adrenal cortex is the outer region of the gland and is also considered the largest part of the gland. The adrenal cortex is responsible for the production of hormones, like aldosterone, androgens, and cortisols.

  • The adrenal medulla which is another part of the gland is located at the center of each adrenal gland, which is surrounded by the cortex. The chromaffin cells are the specialized cells of the adrenal medulla that act as the body's main source of catecholamines production, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, released by the medulla. Approximately 20% norepinephrine and 80% epinephrine are secreted here

To Bring to your notice

There may be certain conditions in which the adrenal glands may not undergo development at all, or the glands might be fused behind the aorta. These are associated with other abnormalities in the body like failure in the development of kidneys or the formation of fused kidneys. The gland may also be partially or completely deprived of the cortex or may develop in a different location.

Can a person live without adrenal glands?

Sometimes your adrenal glands can be removed because of an illness. This is called adrenalectomy. You will need to take medicine for the rest of your life to replace the hormones that your adrenal glands used to make.


Blood supply to the adrenal glands:

The adrenal glands are considered to have one of the greatest blood supply rates per gram of tissue of any organ. Usually, 3 arteries are responsible to provide the necessary supply to each adrenal gland. These are namely

  • The Superior Suprarenal artery,

  • The Middle Suprarenal artery

  • The Inferior Suprarenal artery

These vessels divide into a network of small arteries which carry blood within the capsule of the adrenal glands.

The adrenal medulla also consists of an unusual type of blood vessel which is known as the central adrenomedullary vein. The structure of this vein is different from the other veins as the arrangement of smooth muscles in its blood vessel is longitudinal in nature


Interaction of Adrenal glands and other organs

  • The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are responsible for the control of the adrenal gland. The hypothalamic area of the brain is involved in the regulation of hormones, production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and antidiuretic hormone i.e. vasopressin.

  • ADH and CRH together act on the pituitary gland which releases adrenocorticotropic hormone thus stimulating the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroidal hormones, like cortisol and aldosterone.

  • The kidneys play a part in regulating the amount of aldosterone being produced, that is the production of aldosterone more or less according to the needs of the body.

  • The sympathetic nervous system is concerned with the regulation of the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline from the adrenal glands of the body.

Hormones of the Adrenal glands:

These glands release a variety of hormones that function as "chemical messengers." These hormones circulate through the bloodstream and exert their effects on different tissues within the body.


Mineralocorticoids:

  • Aldosterone, one of the essential hormones produced by the adrenal glands, holds significant importance, particularly in the kidney. It functions by promoting the retention of sodium and water while facilitating the excretion of potassium.

  • The presence of aldosterone prevents excessive loss of sodium and water from the kidneys, thereby preventing severe dehydration and low blood pressure. It is worth noting that aldosterone production is stimulated when the body requires salt retention. However, if the body already has sufficient salt levels, the kidneys can eliminate excess salt.

  • Salts contribute to the maintenance of fluid levels, electrolyte balance, and the proper functioning of various bodily processes.

Cortisol:

  • Cortisol, often referred to as the body's "natural steroid," plays a crucial role in the body's response to diseases and also contributes to metabolic regulation.

  • It stimulates the production of glucose to maintain stable blood sugar levels and possesses anti-inflammatory properties, particularly when present in higher quantities.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH):

  • ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and primarily affects the release of adrenal androgens, which are hormones associated with puberty.

  • ACTH also plays a crucial role in managing the secretion and production of cortisol by the adrenal glands.

  • Additionally, ACTH stimulates the adrenal medulla to produce catecholamines, which are responsible for triggering the physiological changes characteristic of the "fight or flight" response. These changes include heightened heart rate, increased blood pressure, accelerated breathing rate, and dilation of the pupils in the eyes.

Diseases and complications:

Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency

  • Weakness

  • Fatigue

  • Abdominal pain

  • Nausea

  • Weight loss

  • Low blood pressure

  • Dizziness upon standing

  • Depression

Addison's disease

Addison's disease is a rare condition that can occur in individuals of any age. It arises when there is insufficient production of cortisol and aldosterone by the adrenal cortex.


Foods to eat if you have Addison's disease

  • Grain products

  • Eggs

  • Cheese

  • Chicken

  • Soups

  • Canned tuna

Foods to avoid if you have Addison's disease

  • Coffee

  • Green tea

  • Black tea

  • Too much alcohol

  • Too many bananas

  • Too many oranges

  • Salt substitutes

Adrenal Cancer

Adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare tumor originating from the adrenocortex, has a low incidence rate of affecting only 1 or 2 individuals per million. While early-stage adrenal cancer can be cured, approximately 30% of these malignancies are limited to the adrenal glands.


Foods to eat if you have Adrenal Cancer:

  • Protein sources, like lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and legumes.

  • Leafy greens and colorful vegetables.

  • Whole grains.

  • Relatively low-sugar fruits.

  • Sea salt in moderation.

  • Healthy fats like olive oil and avocado

Foods to avoid if you have Adrenal Cancer:

  • White sugar.

  • White flour.

  • Soda.

  • Fried food.

  • Processed food.

  • Artificial sweeteners

Cushing’s syndrome

In 1932, a doctor named Harvey Cushing described 8 people who had a bunch of weird symptoms. These symptoms included being fat in the middle, having trouble with sugar, being too high blood pressure, having too much hair, having weak bones, having kidney rocks, having irregular periods, and being emotionally unstable. This condition is called Cushing's syndrome, which is rare. It happens to about 10 people out of every million.


Foods to have if you have Cushing’s syndrome:

  • Vegetables,

  • Fruits, whole grains

  • Fish

  • Cut back on sodium. Cushing syndrome is also related to high blood pressure (hypertension)

Foods to avoid if you have Cushing’s syndrome:

  • Trans Fat

  • Vegetable & Seed Oil

  • Fruit Juice

  • Foods you are sensitive to

  • Chocolate Cake

  • Fat-Free Flavoured Yogurts

  • Alcohol

  • Low Fiber Carbs

  • Caffeine

How to keep adrenal glands healthy?

As we've seen, the adrenal glands are crucial to our body's daily operations. Therefore, maintaining the health of our glands is crucial. You can adopt the following habits to maintain your health:

  • Reduce your stress levels, whether they are brought on by your job or your relationships. One of the finest ways to alleviate stress is to try meditation.

  • Eat a balanced diet and make an effort to stay away from salty and fried foods, which contain saturated trans fat.

  • Maintain a 7–8 hour sleep pattern. It is advised for someone with hormone imbalance to have a good night's sleep between the hours of 11 pm and 3 am because during those hours the body heals.

  • Engage in some physical activity, such as swimming or working out in the gym.

  • Refrain from drinking.

  • Maintain a consistent blood sugar level.

  • Avoid eating toxic foods like soda, canned food, fast food, margarine, etc.

  • Consider taking vitamin C, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium as supplements.




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