Although all corticosteroids have similar chemical formulas, they differ in function. Although there is little in the area of scientific documentation for oral administration, a series of animal studies demonstrated that oral administration of adrenal extract to mice, rats, and dogs who had their adrenal glands removed produced the same activity as injectable adrenal extract. The effectiveness of adrenal extracts in these applications is unknown at this time. Individuals taking prescribed corticosteroids should never substitute these drugs with an adrenal extract and should consult their physician before adding an adrenal extract to their steroid treatment. In a preliminary study done many years ago, eight women suffering from nausea and vomiting during the first trimester of pregnancy received large amounts of oral adrenal cortex extract.
Adrenal extracts are available in capsules or tablets.
As adrenal extract is not an essential nutrient, no nutritional deficiency state exists. However, some individuals have sub-optimal adrenal function or frank adrenal insufficiency. The diagnosis of adrenal problems should be made by a physician. The amount of adrenal extract taken will depend upon the quality and potency of the product. Follow the recommendations given on the product label or those given by your healthcare provider.