The adrenals are small, triangular glands that sit on top of each of the kidneys, supplying chemicals and hormones to the blood and brain which play a major part in the proper function of the body. These glands are most well known for their release of adrenaline that gives us our fight or flight response; but they also are responsible for helping the body convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy. In addition, they excrete anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant hormones to the blood stream that protect us against allergens and toxins (from alcohol, chemicals, and even those that our own body creates when we are sick, etc).

The adrenal glands work interactively with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the following process:

• The hypothalamus is located just above the brain stem, linking the nervous system to the endocrine system and controlling body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, anger, and circadian cycles (24-hour cycle of living beings). It produces corticotropin-releasing hormones (CRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland (note: deficiency of CRH may result in hypoglycemia and hepatitis; marked reduction in CRH been observed in association with Alzheimer disease)
  
  
• The pituitary gland, in turn, produces corticotropin hormones, which stimulate the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroid hormones
  There are two parts to the adrenal gland: the adrenal cortex (the outer region of the adrenal gland) and the adrenal medulla (the inner region of the gland).
  

Adrenal Cortex
The adrenal cortex manufactures hormones that affect metabolism, chemicals in the blood and other body characteristics.

• Glucocorticoids - control carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism and anti-inflammatory. Cortisol is the most important glucocorticoid, regulating the body’s metabolism and its response to injury and infection)
  
• Mineralocorticoids - such as aldosterone control electrolyte and water levels, mainly by promoting sodium retention in the kidney (aldosterone is synthesized from cholesterol)
  
• Androgenic steroids (androgen hormones) affect body growth and development
  

Adrenal Medulla
The adrenal medulla synthesizes catecholemines, hormones that are released during times of stress, such as with psychological stress or low blood sugar levels. The most abundant catecholemines are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (which act as both hormones and neurotransmitters) and are derived from the amino acids phenylalanine and L-tyrosine (phenylalanine can be converted into L-tyrosine).

• Epinephrine (adrenaline) increases the heart rate and force of heart contractions, facilitates blood flow to the muscles and brain, causes relaxation of smooth muscles, helps with conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver, and other activities
  
• Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) cause the narrowing of blood vessels, increasing blood pressure
  
• Dopamine has important roles in behavior and cognition, motor activity, motivation and reward, inhibition of milk production, sleep, mood, attention, and learning