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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by nolvas on January 6, 2007, at 18:21:51
Italians find panic key
« H E » Anxiety Insights ::Hormone findings promise new treatment for attacks
ANSA - Rome, September 1 2006 - Italian researchers have identified a substance they believe is responsible for the panic attacks and bouts of anxiety that make sufferers' lives miserable.
The substance in question is a hormone called aldosterone, similar in form to the body's growth hormone.
I haven't found the full transcript yet, all I know is that aldosterone is involved, and I don't know whether it's too much aldosterone or too little, or something else related to aldosterone. The date of the article is 1st September 2006. Fairly recent research I imagine.
pubmed lists this >
That relates to the psychological aspects of primary aldosteronism. I don't think it's directly the same article as the topic of this thread. However it's probably the same team of researchers involved.
Posted by nolvas on January 6, 2007, at 18:24:30
In reply to Italians find key to Panic Attacks - Aldosterone., posted by nolvas on January 6, 2007, at 18:21:51
These Substances may Reduce Excessive Aldosterone Levels
Lipids
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) may inhibit the production of Aldosterone.
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) may inhibit the production of Aldosterone.Pharmaceutical Drugs
Spironolactone (utilized in the treatment of Aldosteronism) may compete with Aldosterone for occupancy of Mineralocorticoid Receptors (i.e. it functions as an Aldosterone Antagonist).
Vitamins
Vitamin B6 (600 mg per day) may normalize elevated Aldosterone production.
Human Aldosterone Levels
Normal, healthy humans secrete between 100 mg and 200 mg of Aldosterone per day.
The laboratory reference range values for Aldosterone are:- 3 - 10 ng per dL serum (supine (laying down with face upwards) males and females).
- 0.08 - 0.3 nmol/L serum (supine (laying down with face upwards) males and females).
- 6 - 22 ng per dL serum (male, standing).
- 0.17 - 0.61 serum (male, standing).
- 5 - 30 ng per dL serum (female, standing).
- 0.14 - 0.8 nmol/L serum (female, standing).
- Male plasma levels of Aldosterone are normally 0.007 micrograms per dl.
Posted by nolvas on January 8, 2007, at 8:31:58
In reply to Re: Italians find key to Panic Attacks - Aldostero, posted by nolvas on January 6, 2007, at 18:24:30
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=50959
Posted by dessbee on January 9, 2007, at 10:13:09
In reply to Italians find key to Panic Attacks - Aldosterone., posted by nolvas on January 6, 2007, at 18:21:51
Interesting, it seems like the HPA axis is associated with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
1. ACTH is a common stimulus for cortisol and aldosterone.
2. Angiotensin II releases CRH"In conclusion our preliminary findings point to the possible involvement of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in affective disorders."
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=280657
Posted by Jimmyboy on January 9, 2007, at 13:13:59
In reply to Re: HPA axis affects Aldosterone, posted by dessbee on January 9, 2007, at 10:13:09
My blood tests showed that I was actually low on aldosterone, would that have an effect on depression? I don't really have huge amounts of anxity but lots of fatigue and amotivation.
Thanks
JB
Posted by dessbee on January 9, 2007, at 14:56:26
In reply to Aldosterone - low levels?, posted by Jimmyboy on January 9, 2007, at 13:13:59
It could be associated with low cortisol as a consequence of adrenal fatigue.
Low cortisol levels is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, fibromyalgia and depression.
Cortisol is a part of the HPA-axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis), a feedback system and the body's thermostat for stress.
Cortisol act on GR (Glucocorticoid receptors) in the brain to inhibit CRF (corticotropin releasing factor) release. CRH triggers release of ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), which triggers release of cortisol, which inhibits release of CRF.Low GR density will result in less feedback inhibition and higher CRF levels, which is known to cause depression-like behavior.
When adrenal exhaustion strikes the cortisol levels decreases causing less feedback inhibion and even higher CRF levels, which will aggrevate symptoms of depression even further.
Posted by Jimmyboy on January 10, 2007, at 14:14:44
In reply to Re: Aldosterone - low levels? » Jimmyboy, posted by dessbee on January 9, 2007, at 14:56:26
Thanks for the info dessbee, '
What are the "depression like symptoms" adrenal exhuastion cause? Also, anyway to correct that problem?
Thansk
JB
Posted by dessbee on January 10, 2007, at 15:49:13
In reply to Re: Aldosterone - low levels? » dessbee, posted by Jimmyboy on January 10, 2007, at 14:14:44
What I mean with "depression like symptoms" is that it has only been proven in animal models that CRF causes depression, probably through a "forced swim test".
The adrenal exhaustion is caused by low GR density; since more cortisol than normal will be needed to inhibit the release of CRF. Mood disorder seems to be a haywired HPA-axis.
A person with high GR density will not need as much cortisol in order to suffieciently inhibit CRF release. Therefore their adrenal gland will not be exhausted as easily.It has been shown that recovered depressives have higher cortisol levels than normal. This is a sign of low GR density, where cortisol successfully inhibit CRF release. Unfortunately high cortisol levels has a degenerative effect on brain tissue, which could explain why people with mood disorders have smaller hippocampus. Cortisol is also a stress hormone that can induce anxiety.
It seems like mood disorder is a dysfunction of the HPA-axis, that shifts between anxiety and depression.I have no good answer how to cure an exhausted adrenal gland. The real cure would be to increase GR density. If I knew how this was done I would probably be a billionaire.
There are CRF antagonists tested in clinical studies but they are not yet on the market.
Some people on this board try to increase cortisol levels with licorice, caffeine and DHEA. I dislike this strategy due to cortisol's catabolic effects, but I can understand their thinking because cortisol alleviate depression quickly.
Others try to inhibit CRF release through increase in monoamines with synthetic/herbal MAOI and SSRI/NSRI.
I personally think fish oil is one of the best ways to improve HPA-axis function.
Posted by guardianangel on January 26, 2007, at 10:11:32
In reply to Re: Aldosterone - low levels?, posted by dessbee on January 10, 2007, at 15:49:13
In my experience the best way to get past low GR density and adrenal hypofunction is to supplement the adrenal gland with the corticosteroid precursor pregnenolone 50mg (a.m). This upregulates stress hormone output and, whilst stimulating Long Term Potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal memory centres, will also relieve symptoms of depression to the tune of a morning physiological dose of cortisol, say 5mg
10g potassium citrate (3.6g elemental potassium) counteracts the sympathetic over-stimulation (and hence anxiety symptoms) resulting from the sodium retaining effects of aldosteronism.
Potassium is one of the strongest anxiolytics at this dosage comparing with 10mg diazepam
Unfortunately unless it is taken on a full stomach it causes acid-nausea as it is throwing cold water on the fires of the sympathetic nervous system...
You won't find it in the high street any higher than 99mg because the pharmaceutical companies know that orthomolecular dosages of potassium successfully treat a variety of chronic disorders in their drug portfolios...
You would need to order the bulk powder from somewhere like Vitafit in NZ
A Combination of withania somnifera, rhodiola rosea and Ormicum sanctum plus, say 800 phosphatidylserine would also reset the HPA axis and reprogramme the higher brain centres to be more mentally flexible towards new stressful situations, thus reducing CRH output and the vicious cycle described above
This is the end of the thread.
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