Evidence supporting the use of: Porcine (unspecified)
For the body system: Adrenal Glands
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Porcine (unspecified), often referring to extracts derived from pig organs, has a long-standing history of use in traditional medicine and early 20th-century naturopathic practices to support adrenal gland function. The rationale stems from the concept of "like supports like," where consuming animal glandular tissue was believed to bolster the corresponding human organ. This approach was especially popular before the development of synthetic corticosteroids and other hormone replacement therapies. While animal adrenal extracts were once prescribed for conditions such as Addison’s disease and general fatigue, their use has largely diminished due to concerns about safety, inconsistent potency, and the advent of more effective pharmaceutical alternatives.
Modern scientific validation for porcine adrenal extracts is minimal. There are no robust clinical trials demonstrating their efficacy in supporting human adrenal function or treating adrenal insufficiency. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA have not approved glandular extracts for adrenal health, and most evidence remains anecdotal or stems from historical accounts. As a result, while porcine extracts are still found in some dietary supplements marketed for adrenal support, their use is primarily justified by tradition rather than scientific evidence.
Other ingredients that support Adrenal Glands
adrenal cortexalfalfa
ashwagandha
astragalus
basil
bovine
bovine kidney
bovine liver
bupleurum falcatum
caterpillar mushroom
cordyceps
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
eleuthero
ginseng
guayusa
kelp
l-tyrosine
licorice root
maca
magnesium
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
nettle
pantethine
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
phosphatidylserine
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhizome
rhodiola
skullcap
spearmint leaf
vitamin B
vitamin B6
vitamin C
whole adrenal glandular
wild yam
zinc
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
bee pollen
lingzhi
sodium salt
dioscorea
eucommia
ganoderma
trace minerals
yerba mate
noni
herbal blend (proprietary)
ashitaba
sea salt
Animal Tissue
Antler
Adrenaline
Anemarrhena
Black Seed
Black spruce
Black galingale
Bovine Protein
Brazil nut
Ba Ji Tian
Barbasco
Bee products
Bupleurum
Curculigo orchicides
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cortisol
Codonopsis
Chuchuhuasi
Coca
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Campylandra fimbriata
Chinese Thoroughwax
cola nut
DHEA
Dendrobium
Deer Velvet
Devil's Club
Egg
Himalayan Salt
salt
Vervain
Other body systems supported by Porcine (unspecified)
Adrenal CortexAdrenal Glands
Digestive System
Glandular System
Intestinal System
Spleen
Thyroid Gland