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The adrenals are two small glands, each weighing 3 to 5
grams, that are located above the kidneys. The adrenals
have one of the highest rates of blood flow per gram of
tissue, and the highest content of Vitamin C per gram of
any tissue in the body.
Each adrenal gland is composed of two separate
functional entities. The outer zone, or cortex, accounts
for 80% to 90% of the gland, and secretes adrenal
steroids (Cortisol, DHEA(S) and Aldosterone). The inner
zone, or medulla, comprises 10% to 20% of the gland, and
secretes the catecholamines adrenaline and
nor-adrenaline. Cortisol, DHEA and adrenaline are the
three main adrenal stress hormones.
The Adrenal Rhythm & Its
Importance
The human adrenal gland does not secrete its steroid
hormones at a constant level throughout the day. The
hormones are actually released in a cycle with the
highest value in the morning and the lowest value at
night. This is easily understood by looking at Figure 1.
This 24-hour cycle is called the circadian rhythm. An
abnormal adrenal rhythm can influence many functions of
the body, some of which are listed below.
1. Energy production
Abnormal adrenal function can alter the ability of
cells to produce energy for activities of daily
living. People who have a hard time rising in the
morning, or who suffer with a low energy level
during the day, often have abnormal adrenal rhythms
and poor blood sugar regulation.
The maintenance of a stable blood sugar level
depends on food choice, lifestyle, adrenal function
and insulin activity. This panel measures stress
hormones and insulin, to help ferret out causes of
fatigue, cravings and obesity.
2. Muscle & joint
function
Abnormal adrenal rhythms are known to compromise
tissue healing. Reduced tissue repair and increased
tissue breakdown can lead to muscle and joint
breakdown with chronic pain.
3. Bone health
The adrenal rhythm determines how well we build
bone. If the night cortisol level is elevated and
the morning level is too high, our bones do not
rebuild well, and we are more prone to the
osteoporotic process. Stress is the enemy of the
bones. In postmenopausal women, the effect of stress
worsens due to the female hormone imbalances.
4. Immune health
Various immune cells (white blood cells) cycle in
and out of the spleen and bone marrow for special
conditioning, and possible nourishment and
instructions. This immune system trafficking follows
the cortisol cycle. So, if the cycle is disrupted,
especially at night, then the immune system is
adversely affected.
Short and long-term stress is known to suppress the
immune response on the surfaces of our body as in
lungs, throat, urinary and intestinal tract. With
the reduction in the surface antibody (called
secretory IgA), the resistance to infection is
reduced and allergic reactions are believed to
increase.
5. Sleep quality
The ability to enter REM sleep cycles, i.e.
regenerative sleep, is interrupted by high cortisol
values at night and in the morning. Chronic lack of
REM sleep can reduce the mental vitality and vigor
of a person and induce depression.
6. Skin regeneration
Human skin regenerates mostly during the night. With
higher night cortisol values, less skin regeneration
takes place. So, a normal cortisol rhythm is
essential for optimal skin health (See Figure 2).
7. Thyroid function
The level of Cortisol at the cell level controls
thyroid hormone production. Quite often, hypothyroid
symptoms such as fatigue and low body temperature
are due to an adrenal maladaptation.
8. Grain intolerance &
stress
About 12-18% of the U.S. population suffers from a
genetic intol- erance to grain. Specifically, a high
incidence occurs in Celtic, Germanic, and Nordic
derivation. The gut becomes inflamed within 30
minutes after consuming the grains and this can lead
to an adrenal stress response, increased cortisol
and reduced DHEA.
(Several other functions that go beyond the scope of the
pamphlet are also cortisol and DHEA dependent.)
The Adrenal Stress
Index™ (ASI™)
Four saliva samples are used in the ASI™ for the
following ten tests:
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4 x Cortisol |
Helps evaluate stress response |
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2 x Insulin |
Helps investigate blood sugar control |
|
DHEA |
Helps determine stress adaptation |
|
Secretory IgA |
Helps evaluate toll on immunity |
|
17-OH Progesterone |
Helps determine adrenal reserve |
|
Gluten Antibodies |
Helps identify grain intolerance |
Your health care provider can use the findings in this
panel to recommend customized treatment and preventive
measures that may include diet and lifestyle changes,
hormones, botanicals and vitamins.
Advantages of the ASI™
- The test is non-invasive & can be performed
wherever you are.
- Saliva is collected under real life conditions.
There are no stressful blood draws and no gallon
sized urine containers to carry around for 24 hours.
- With blood and urine testing, a number of
borderline adrenal conditions are missed due to lack
of sensitivity. This is not the case with the ASI™
because samples are taken within one circadian cycle
and the more definitive free fraction is measured.
- The ASI™ is an in-depth test, such that options
for treatment are expanded by 400-500% over serum
and urine test results.
Note: The
ASI™ was invented and introduced by Diagnos-Techs,
Inc. in 1989. All other panels offered on the
market are copies.
Abnormal adrenal rhythm can influence:
- Energy Production
- Bone Health
- Immune System Health
- Sleep Quality
- Skin Regeneration
- Thyroid Function
- Muscle and Joint Function
Do you need the ASI™
Test?
To determine if the ASI™ is the appropriate test for
assessing your health condition, ask your practitioner for
a stress questionnaire. The score can help your doctor
determine a course of action.
The ASI™ is mostly ordered for individuals that suffer
from:
- Chronic stress and related health problems
- Lack of vitality and energy
- Muscle and joint pain
- Hypoglycemia
- Migraine headaches
- Osteoporosis
- Sleep disturbances
- Poor memory
- Alcohol intolerance
- Stress maladaptation
- Low sex drive
- Low body temperature
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