Aldosterone – Preservation of Water and Blood Pressure levels, plus Prevention of Hearing Loss!

What is Aldosterone?

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone that belongs to the mineralocorticoid family. Its role is to regulate the body’s balance of salt and water. By doing this through the simultaneous regulation of the body’s sodium (salt) and potassium levels, Aldosterone helps to maintain both blood pressure and bodily fluids.

Aldosterone was first isolated in 1953 and its importance cannot be stressed enough as it plays such a crucial part in regulating the body’s electrolytes - salts in the body that conduct electricity.

Aldosterone carries out its regulatory role by having a direct effect on the collecting ducts and distal tubules of the kidneys. This effect leads to an increase in the rate of potassium-ion excretion so that more potassium is released (secreted) in the kidneys. At the same time Aldosterone also causes a reduction in the rate of sodium-ion excretion (often described as an increase in the reabsorption of sodium). This is accompanied by an increase in water retention. As a result, blood volume and, therefore, blood pressure is increased. Indeed, many drugs that are designed to lower blood pressure work by blocking Aldosterone receptors which prevents Aldosterone from working in this way.

Not only do Aldosterone levels vary between the sexes, they also vary throughout the day - usually highest in the morning. The amount of sodium in a person’s diet, a person’s position, stress, strenuous exercise and a variety of medications can all affect Aldosterone levels.

What happens if Aldosterone levels fall too low or climb too high?

If Aldosterone levels are out of sync, problems can arise:

High levels of Aldosterone (hyperaldosteronism) can result in high blood pressure, muscle cramps, palpitations, headaches, urinating too much fluid or urinating too often, and muscle weakness

On the other hand, low levels (hyperaldosteronism) may indicate disease such as diabetes

Hyperaldosteronism

Primary hyperaldosteronism (sometimes referred to as Conn’s Syndrome) is caused by the over-production of Aldosterone by the adrenal glands, often as a result of a benign tumour on one of the glands.

High Aldosterone levels increase the reabsorption of sodium and the loss of potassium by the kidneys which causes an electrolyte imbalance. Whilst primary hyperaldosteronism does not typically present with any symptoms, muscle weakness can occur if potassium levels are also very low (hypokalemia). If someone has hypokalemia and hypertension (high blood pressure) then hyperaldosteronism should be suspected. Because primary hyperaldosteronism is a potentially curable form of hypertension, it is important to detect and treat it properly.

Secondary hyperaldosteronism is far more common than primary hyperaldosteronism. It develops as a result of anything that causes decreased blood pressure, lowered sodium levels or decreased blood flow to the kidneys. The most important cause is renal artery stenosis i.e. a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the kidney.

Secondary hyperaldosteronism may also be seen with kidney disease, cirrhosis and congestive heart failure.

Aldosterone and hearing loss

Perhaps one of the most interesting developments with regard to Aldosterone has been in relation to hearing loss. As we age many people begin to lose their hearing - a condition known as presbycusis. It is estimated that about 30-35 percent of adults between the ages of 65 and 75 years suffer from hearing loss. This figure rises to 40-50 percent of people aged 75 and older.

As we have already discussed, Aldosterone plays an important part in regulating our sodium and potassium levels - both of which are known to be critical for normal hearing. The inner ear in particular is especially sensitive to any disruption in potassium levels, with falling levels playing a role in age related hearing loss. Unfortunately as we age not only do our potassium levels fall, but so do our Aldosterone levels.

In November 2005, a team of researchers were able to demonstrate that there appeared to be a direct correlation between low blood levels of Aldosterone and hearing loss(1). The researchers were based at the International Center for Hearing and Speech Research (ICHSR), a group funded by the National Institute on Aging and recognized as a leader in research on age-related hearing loss. The Center also includes scientists from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology and neuroscientists from the University of Rochester.

During the course of the study, forty seven healthy men and women aged between 58 and 84 undertook extensive hearing tests. They also had their blood Aldosterone levels measured. The results of the study demonstrated that the more Aldosterone in a person’s blood, the better their hearing. The researchers also found that people with severe hearing loss had on average to Aldosterone blood levels that were only half as high as those in people with normal hearing. The researchers concluded that "Aldosterone hormone may have a protective effect on hearing in old age”.

As a result of this discovery, Dr Jonathan Wright of the Tahoma Clinic in Renton, Washington in the United States (working closely with Professor D. Trune from the University of Oregon Hearing Sciences Center) began to use Aldosterone therapy with his patients in a clinical setting. Dr Wright based his treatment plans on the direct link that had been discovered between blood levels of Aldosterone and the ability to hear normally. His work has already produced encouraging results (2). Dr. Thierry Hertoghe from Belgium, one of the world’s leading experts in anti-aging hormone therapies has also reported similar positive results in his patients too. Indeed, at a forth coming conference to be hosted by Dr Hertoghe in November 2009, Aldosterone and its potential ability to fight against age-related hearing loss will be one of the subjects discussed.

This is fantastic news for people with Aldosterone levels that are falling below the norm, and who are suffering from hearing loss as a result - as happens all too often as you get older. Until this discovery was made, age-related hearing loss had been a problem with very little hope of a solution. The usual course of action was simply to wait until your hearing had diminished to such an extent that you required a hearing aid - hardly a cure for the problem.

However, by taking Aldosterone as a supplement you may now be able to help to restore hearing loss, and you may even be able to help related issues such as balance problems.

Aldosterone therapy is not just limited to people who are suffering from hearing loss due to aging. People with hearing loss from AIED (autoimmune inner ear disease), from Meniere’s disease and people with lower than normal levels of Aldosterone in the first place who have hearing problems may also respond positively to Aldosterone therapy.

Given that Aldosterone is a safe and natural substance, the implications of the discovery of this direct association between blood Aldosterone levels and hearing loss are ground breaking to say the very least. While the discovery is relatively new, and more research is undoubtedly needed to establish whether the link is straight forward i.e. that it is low Aldosterone that causes low hearing in the first place or whether more complex relationships are in play, the net result is the same - Aldosterone therapy offers a potential solution for what was hitherto insolvable but a very common debilitating condition.

Dosage

Take 125mcg 1 to 3 times daily or as directed by your physician.

Warnings

For most people Aldosterone therapy is well tolerated and should not pose problems. However, caution in using Aldosterone is recommended if a person has a tendency to swell easily in the hands, ankles and/or feet or who suffers from high blood pressure (hypertension). Patients who swell easily or who have high blood pressure should not take Aldosterone at all or, if they do, they should start on very low doses and then after ten days cautiously increase their daily dose if no contraindications appear.

Full Ingredients and Approved Uses: Aldosterone