Glandular Therapy

Continued from Yesterday

Benefits of Glandular Therapy

There are three principal nutritional benefits to glandular and organ extracts:

1. Active components

It is believed that glands and organs in animals and humans contain similar biochemical substances as their functions are very similar. This is especially true with the sheep from which most of these extracts are prepared. For example, sheep digestive system produces enzymes very similar to humans. Sheep tissue contains 2 enzymes found in only one other living organism-the human body. These enzymes are

(1) Aldose reductase, an enzyme for sugar breakdown

(2) Steroid 17 -20 lyase, an enzyme for both producing steroidal hormones and for the subsequent detoxification of those hormones from the body.

Thus, the effect of using the biochemical compounds extracted from animals is often one of "substituting" an exogenous (externally generated) source to make up for the endogenous (internally generated) deficiency.

Examples:

Thymosin from the thymus

Thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland.

2. Associated nutritional factors

Glandular tissues are rich in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, polypeptides, enzymes, and many other substances. Glandular therapy can supply essential nutritional needs in a highly efficient manner.

3. Adaptogenic effect

For a tissue cell to repair or replace itself, it must have the raw materials necessary. Glandular therapy provides the raw materials to the failing organs, glands, and tissues so that they can start the process of regeneration.

Biochemist Jeffrey Bland, Ph. D ., suggested a rational explanation for how glandular therapy products work. According to him, glandular-based food supplements may contain small polypeptide, protein-like substances which have specific messenger activity and which act on target tissues. Dr. Bland suggested that many of the hormones found in the glandular tissues, even at low concentrations, still have potent tissue-specific activities. For example, a small polypeptide material present in one tissue can have selective effects in encouraging another tissue at a different site in the body to produce hormonal materials, which then may affect a final target tissue and change its physiological function. (1)

One of the key organ for metabolism is the thyroid gland. It regulates metabolism by releasing hormones that control energy production in all the body's cells. Administration of thyroid extract helps cells eliminate cellular waste and speeds up their restorative functions. A healthy thyroid is an important prerequisite to a healthy immune system.

http://www.holistic-online.com/glandular-therapy.htm

http://www.depsyl.com/

http://back2basicnutrition.com/

http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/