Penny Slimmon HerbalistThe Glandular System is made up of the Hormone-producing organs of the body, including the pineal, hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenal, gonads and pancreas. These glands perform a myriad of regulatory function, including temperature control and metabolic rate.
Conditions that may result from problems with the glandular system are:
- Hormone imbalances
- Weak adrenal glands
- Thyroid imbalances
- Diabetes
- Hypoglycemia
- Hyperglycemia
- Emotional stress
- Reproductive trouble
The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands produce about 50 different hormones that impact our development and growth, affect our ability to deal with stress, and help to regulate kidney function. Your adrenal glands are about the size and shape of the top part of your thumb and sit on top of your kidneys.
They are comprised of two separate glands, the medulla and the cortex. The medulla, or inner part of the adrenal glands, produces the hormone adrenaline, which regulates the “fight or flight’ response in the body, the body’s reaction to stressful events. It also produces DHEA, the hormone that is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone. The cortex, or the outer portion of the adrenal glands, produces several hormones that affect blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and growth. The cortex also produces cortisol, sometimes called the “stress hormone,” since people produce greater levels of it under significant stress. Here are a few things that this cortisol does that are positive:
- Helps to reduce inflammation
- Is able to make sure needed sodium is not lost
- Can be helpful in increasing short-term memory
- Helps the liver remove toxins from the body
However, if it is not regulated properly it can have negative effects such as:
- Raising blood pressure
- Lowering bone density
- Reducing immune response
- Potentially impacting blood serum levels of glucose
- Reducing levels of serotonin, which helps provide a sense of well-being and calm
- Contributing to weight gain
For more information and symptoms of Adrenal Stress, see my article on Anxiety and Depression.
Read my Article on Anxiety for more on Adrenal Stress!
The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is a small gland weighing less than an ounce, located in the front of the neck. There are two halves to the thyroid, called lobes and it is shaped like a butterfly around the windpipe (trachea).
The function of the thyroid is to take the mineral iodine from food and convert it into thyroid hormones known at T# (usable thyroid hormone) and T4. As we give our bodies proper levels of iodine, T3 and T4 are produced by the thyroid gland and released into the bloodstream. From there, they are transported throughout the body where they control metabolism (the conversion of oxygen and calories to energy). Along with regulating metabolism, thyroid hormones play a role in maintaining body temperature and controlling hormones. A healthy thyroid can also promote healthy skin, hair, colon health and weight management.
Thyroid Gland Questionnaire
Check any of the following that apply:
Scoring
If you have checked four or more items on this list, you may consider using supplements to support your thyroid gland.
If five or more items are checked, your thyroid health is likely poor and now is the time to make an appointment and have your Iodine levels checked. Even if your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels have been checked by your Doctor and are in the normal range, you may be missing some of the important minerals (tools) to allow your body to actually make use of this hormone. If your liver needs cleansing, you may not be converting T4 (unusable thyroid hormone) into T3 (usable thyroid hormone).
Check out “One on One Support” to book a consultation today!
The Pituitary Gland-Also called the “Master Gland”
The pituitary gland, a small gland about the size of a pea at the base of the brain, controls the thyroid gland. When the level of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 drops too low, the pituitary gland produces thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). As its name implies, TSH stimulated the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. Under the influence of TSH, the thyroid will manufacture and secrete T# and T$, thereby raising their blood levels. The pituitary senses this and responds by decreasing its TSH production.
The pituitary hormones help control some of the following body processes:
- Growth
- Temperature regulation
- Conversion of food into energy
- Blood pressure
- Breast milk production
- Absorption of water into the kidneys
- Stimulation of uterine contractions during childbirth
- Sex organ function in both the male and female.
Pituitary Gland Questionnaire
Check any of the following that apply:
Scoring
If you have checked three or more items on this list, you should consider using a pituitary gland (master gland) product to feed your system.
The Female Glandular System
Women face special glandular health concerns. The primary components of the female glandular system are the ovaries, located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus, connected to each other by the fallopian tubes. About the size of an almond, the ovaries are reproductive organs and have the job of producing eggs and the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
As we look at this reproductive part of the glandular system, we should note that over 200 different symptoms have been associated with pre-menstrual syndrome and that over 85% of women report having experienced some physical symptoms of imbalance within this system.
What can I Do to Balance the Female Glandular System?
- Exercise more often
- Start to relax earlier in the evening; around 9 p.m. and to sleep by 10 a.m.
- Eat smaller portion sizes. Consume easily digested proteins (protein shakes are the pre-digested and very easy to digest). Eat more raw foods and good fats to keep blood sugar balanced.
- Listen to relaxing, encouraging, uplifting, music
- Replace negative thoughts with more positive thoughts
- Pray often
- Seek good outlets for emotions-travel, hobbies, uplifting relationships, clubs, church
As we work on the Female Glandular System besides the before mentioned items, we will keep in mind that the adrenals produce many much needed hormones that together product all of the other hormones that we need. Always Support your Adrenals.
Female Glandular System Questionnaire
Check any of the following that apply:
Scoring
If you have checked three or more items on this list, you should consider using a formula to support your female reproductive system.
Did you know that
- The adrenal glands, two of the most important glands in the body, are the size of grapes.
- The adrenal glands can be weakened by physical and environmental stressors.
- Weak adrenal glands can be a cause of insomnia and low libido.
- Heavy metals and other chemicals are neurotoxins (toxic to the brain and central nervous system). We often connect toxic chemical with cancer risks, but we don’t connect them with the wide variety of neurological symptoms that people are experiencing today, from depression to autism.
- Our glandular system relies on trace minerals, but processing can essentially eradicate those minerals from our food.
- Raw sugar loses 94% of its chromium and 89% of its manganese during processing. Our glandular system needs lots of minerals to function properly.
- As wheat is processed into white flour, it loses 50% of its chromium and 86% of its manganese. These two “trace” minerals are especially important to your glandular system
