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)
- Suggested uses of adrenal extract, aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (glandular products)
- adrenal extract, aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (glandular products) adverse (side) effects
- Warnings
- Pregnancy
- Pharmacology of adrenal extract, aortic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (glandular products)
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