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Glandular Products (adrenal extract, aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), liver extract, pancreatic extract, spleen extract, thymus extract, thyroid extract)

 

Classes: Metabolic & Endocrine, Herbals

Suggested dosing of adrenal extract, aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (glandular products)

 

Adrenal extract

Varies depending on product; follow label recommendations, and titrate as indicated

 

Aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

Typical Dose

  • 100 mg PO qDay

Cerebrovascular disease

  • 100-144 mg/day PO
  • 30 mg IM BID

DVt

  • 72 mg/day PO

Hypertriglyceridemia

  • 96 mg/day PO

 

Liver extract

Varies depending on product; follow label recommendations, and titrate as indicated

 

Pancreas USP extract

500-1000 mg PO TID, with or without meals

 

Spleen extract

1.5 g spleen peptides (50 mg tuftsin & splenopentin)/day

 

Thymus extract

120 mg pure polypeptides or 750 mg crude polypeptide fraction/day

 

Thyroid extract

Varies depending on product; follow label recommendations, and titrate as indicated

 

Suggested uses of adrenal extract, aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (glandular products)

Adrenal extract

OraL

  • Low adrenal function; fatigue; stress; impaired resistance to illness; severe allergies, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions.

SublinguaL

  • fatigue or exhaustion, poor stress tolerance, allergies, auto-immune disorders, depression, inflammation, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, drug & alcohol withdrawal, and discontinuing cortisone drugs

IV

  • Adrenal cortical insufficiency, hyperkalemia, ulcerative colitis, status thymicolymphaticus, and preventing spontaneous abortion

 

Aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

Vascular insufficiencies

 

Liver

Adjunctive therapy in hepatic disorders, source of heme iron, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, enhancing muscle development in bodybuilders, improving strength & stamina

 

Pancreas

Digestive aid (with food); anti-inflammatory, herpes zoster, immune complex diseases

 

Spleen

Post-splenectomy; SLE, AIDS, colitis, RA, low WBC count, thrombocytopenia, ulcerative colitis, & enhancing immune function in cancer patients

 

Thymus

Immune system modulation (URI, hepatitis B, AIDS, allergies), cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, CFS, lupus, WBC production in cancer patients treated with radiation or chemo, and aging

 

Thyroid

Hypothyroidism

 

Efficacy

Depends on extraction method; predigested soluble concentrates tend to be most effective

Many physiological studies demonstrate GI absorption of intact macromolecules (polypeptides, etc)

Human trials show efficacy for listed uses

Thyroid extract more difficult to calibrate than synthetic hormones

 

adrenal extract, aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (glandular products) adverse (side) effects

Allergic reaction

Infection or other symptoms d/t contaminants (rare)

Liver extract: iron overload, hemochromatosis

Thyroid extract: hyperthyroid symptoms (large dose)

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to bovine/porcine products

 

Cautions

Extracts or preparation of whole glandular tissue, usually from bovine or porcine sources

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of adrenal extract, aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (glandular products)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

 

Mechanism of action

Biochemical mixture in extract provides specific nutritional support for corresponding gland

Hormonal content may exert direct effects on target cells