Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 4/23/2008

Question
My husband recently saw a chiropractor who started him on a vitamin. I was checking out the ingredients (there were three total) and the first-listed ingredient is "Neonatal Adrenal Complex (bovine)."
    Admittedly, I know very little about biology or medication ingredients, but we have two young children and I know what "neonatal" means. Likewise, I know that "bovine" means it is derived from cows.
    Could you please tell me what exactly this is and how it is collected? Do they kill or harm a newborn calf to get it or is it as simple and harmless a procedure as taking a blood sample?

Answer
Dear Laura,

It sounds as if the "nutrient" you describe is derived from the adrenal glands of slaughtered calves.  I'm not sure what it's supposed to do for your husband's health.  But to me, it sounds like snake oil.

I just did a quick Google on this, and found a hype for a vitamin supplement with this additive, and it says:

"XXX is made from neonatal bovine adrenal that is processed from 1 to 3 day old calves (veal). Cytozyme-AD is the finest whole adrenal available in the country. It's useful with chronic fatigue and hypoglycemia. The adrenal gland supports other glandular functions. It is also a component of Bio-Glycozyme Forte. Craving for salt is a very strong subjective indication of adrenal insufficiency as is lowered resistance from long-term illness, colds, viruses, asthma and hypotension. In hypotension, it should be used with Bio-Glycozyme."

This is just hogwash.  The adrenal gland is a functioning *organ*.  Extract from the gland cannot be expected to act the same way.  It's a bit like saying you can get the strength of the tiger by eating its heart.

I don't trust chiropractors for this reason.  They throw weird, untested vitamin supplements at a problem, and a lot of what they do is about as effective as voodoo.

Ah, well.  That's more answer to your question than you asked for. But I hope it helps.

Dana