The adrenal cortex (AC) produces 30+ different hormones. The AC is subject to damage, ‘burn out’ or hypo (low) functioning (Tintera’s syndrome). This hypo-functioning can be congenital or acquired, partial or complete (Addison’s Disease) The adrenal cortex is essential to life, for without it death soon ensues.  Repairing the damaged, hypo-functioning AC is possible if the right actions are taken and if these right actions are given long enough to work.  The AC produces three different classifications of steroid hormones (produced from cholesterol):  the Glucosteroids-including Cortisone and Cortisol,  Mineralosteroids-mainly Aldosterone, and the Sex Steroids including DHEA, Testosterone, and Estrogens. In the hypo-functioning AC usually all three classes of steroid hormones are under produced.

The AC produces 65% of the male hormone in the male but only 15% of the female hormone in the female.  The absolute shut-down of the gonads (menopause/andropause) puts a greater load on the already deficient AC and many acute episodes are encountered at this age. This is especially true in the female as the AC is required to produce 100% of the estrogens.

The following symptoms may be indicative of Tintera’s Syndrome (low functioning AC):  fatigue (asthenia), nervousness, irritability, quarrelsomeness, meanness towards others, depression, faintness or fainting spells,  weakness, lightheadedness, insomnia, headache, palpitation, intolerance to stress, craving for salt, sweets, or alcohol, premenstrual tension, inability to concentrate, fears and apprehensions, allergies, asthma, tachycardia, frequent infections, inflamed, deformed joints, frequent infections, projectile vomiting in children, postural hypotension, cervical lymphadenitis, scanty perspiration, crowded lower incisors, blanching on exposure to cold, low metabolic rate, eosinophilia, low flat glucose tolerance test, hyper and hypo-glycemia, relative lymphocytosis, pigmentation, tensed muscles, and reduced appetite.

The methods used to rest and repair the AC are as follows:

1. Increase light exposure and reduce stress.  Moving into daylight from a dark room can increase the cortisol level 50% or more.  To help the optimum production of cortisol go outside and get plenty of sunshine, at least a half an hour per day. The more light exposure, the better. Avoid all stressful situations as much as possible. Don’t argue, don’t fight, and don’t fret.  No long-term distress.
2. Breathe clean air-investigate all medications.  Ventilating your home is essential.  It removes many contaminants including formaldehyde, ethanol, PBBs, PCBs, chloroform, methanol, aflatoxin, nitrogen oxide, parathion, carbon tetrachloride and many others, all of which are toxic to the AC and cause hypo-functioning. In addition, many medications such as Dilantin, estrogens, testosterone, tamoxifen, danazol, ACTH, etc. also produce hypoadrenocorticism.
3. Eliminate all easily absorbed carbohydrates (sugars) from the diet.  We know for certain that sugars and starches are stressor agents for the AC which reduces AC steroid hormone production.  Therefore, you must eliminate potatoes, corn, macaroni, spaghetti, rice, grain, pie, cake, pastries, sugar, candies, soft drinks, fruit juices, dried fruits especially dates and raisins.  You must be very cautious with bananas, watermelon, and all sweet fruit. High carbohydrate consumption damages the AC resulting in reduced AC steroid hormone production. You must also eliminate coffee, strong tea, and alcohol. 
4. You must increase the consumption of protein rich foods, i.e. meat, fish, eggs, cheese, poultry and organ meats.  You must increase fat-rich, cholesterol-rich foods such as butter, egg yolks, coconut oil, lard, and fatty fish. These foods are high in cholesterol which is the building material essential to the AC steroid hormone production. High fat and high nutrient density foods are essential in the repair process and the production of AC hormones. High fat foods do not cause vascular disease.
5. Vitamin C is essential to hormone production and has a very high concentration in the AC. Taking 3-5 grams of vitamin C per day is of great benefit to the AC.  Increasing the amount of salt is also of great benefit as sodium tends to be low with AC hypo-function, as the zona glomerulosa doesn’t produce sufficient aldosterone, which leads to a low sodium as excessive amounts are lost in the urine and perspiration.  Acetyl l carnitine, which is a carrier of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for oxidation and energy production is also of benefit.  I have also seen very good results with the use of free form essential amino acids as lysine and methionine are the building blocks of acetyl l carnitine. Make sure to consume above average amounts of the B-Complex vitamins, especially B1, B3, B6, B12.
6. Supplying the AC steroids and other intrinsic factors in a physiologically, naturally occurring, balanced concentration and the proper use of the correctly prepared glandular extracts (organotherapy) is vitally important.  Helliot’s law states that: “Extracts of an organ exert on the same organ an exciting influence which lasts for a longer or shorter time.  When the organ is insufficient, it is conceivable that this influence augments its action and when injured, that it favors its restoration.”₁ ‘The Father of Endocrinology’, Henry Harrower, MD also emphasized the same point when he wrote: “Homostimulative organotherapy (glandular extracts), by it, functionally inactive or deficient glands may be persuaded to resume their normal work.  The hormones (physiological amounts) have a definite stimulative and restorative action on the glands corresponding to those from which they are made.”₂
7. The patient must realize that AC repair with normalization is not a quick process but may take months to two years to accomplish. The properly prepared extract, dosage, type, and synergistic glandular extracts are very important. Linda Isaacs, MD, a colleague of the late Nicholas Gonzalez, MD who was known internationally for his successful nutritional treatment of cancer states the following: “We believe the glandular products (extracts) can provide the raw materials such that the gland can actually fix itself.”₃

Laboratory Analysis- Laboratory testing can certainly help in the diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism (hypo-functioning adrenal cortex). Laboratory test for CBC/Schilling Differential, Electrolyte levels, 5-hour Glucose Tolerance Test, Total Cortisol, Free Cortisol, Transcortin (the protein that transports cortisol), Aldosterone, and DHEA.  These tests are available at our office at discounted prices.  Please call our office for current prices. If you think you are suffering from adrenal burn out give us a call, we can help you.

1. L. Hallion, Press Med., 1912, XX, p 433.
2. Harrower, MD, Henry, ‘Practical Endocrinology’ 1957, p. 56
3. Isaacs, MD, Linda, ‘Glandulars for Immunity & Autoimmune Disease’, Townsdin Letter, June 2021, p. 40-42