Evidence supporting the use of: Whole adrenal glandular
For the body system: Adrenal Cortex

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Whole adrenal glandular supplements are primarily used to support the adrenal cortex based on traditional practices rather than strong scientific evidence. Historically, glandular therapy—consuming animal organs to support the corresponding human organ—has roots in early 20th-century naturopathic and alternative medicine. Practitioners believed that ingesting animal adrenal glands could provide nutrients or "essence" to help restore human adrenal function, especially in cases of adrenal fatigue or Addison’s disease. While animal adrenal tissue does contain some hormones and nutrients, there is little high-quality clinical research to validate efficacy or safety for adrenal support in humans. Modern medical consensus does not recognize "adrenal fatigue" as a diagnosable condition, and the use of whole adrenal supplements remains outside mainstream practice. Most scientific studies addressing adrenal insufficiency rely on synthetic or bioidentical hormone replacement, not glandular extracts. Additionally, there are potential safety concerns, such as the risk of hormone contamination or immune reactions. In summary, the use of whole adrenal glandulars to support the adrenal cortex is rooted in tradition, with low-level and anecdotal evidence, but lacks robust scientific validation.

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Products containing whole adrenal glandular

Nature's Sunshine Glandular System