The principal glands of saliva are the Parotid glands. These are the glands that when enlarged, during childhood, are called the mump glands. The saliva contains ptyalin, which is an enzyme necessary for digesting starches. The saliva also contains a mucous secretion for lubricating purposes.

Besides the function of carbohydrate digestion, saliva also plays an important role in oral hygiene. The mouth is loaded with disease producing bacteria that can easily destroy tissue. Saliva prevents this by first washing the bacteria away and then destroying the bacteria. 


Problems with the Parotids can cause:

	Difficulty handling carbohydrates (simple		Oral hygiene conditions
	or complex sugars) (gluten reaction)		Constant sore throat
	Gum disease

If you suffer and consider 1-2 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from parotid malfunction.

 

 

 

Diseases of the thyroid are the most common of all the endocrine glands, notably due to iodine deficiencies in North America. The thyroid, one of the larger endocrine glands, is located in front of your breathing airway (trachea), and below your Adam's apple. The thyroid produces two hormones:

	Thyroxin, which controls your metabolism (how much energy you burn)
	Calcitonin, which controls calcium and phosphorus levels in the bone and the
	blood by taking calcium and phosphorus out of the blood, and depositing
	them into the bones.

 

 

Thyroid disorders result from either too little (hypothyroid) or too much

(hyperthyroid) thyroxin or calcitonin. 

 

 

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism include: 

	Decreased energy		Hair loss
	Weight gain		Dislike of  working under pressure
	Slow heart rate		Dislike of  being watched
	Dry skin		Mental depression
	Constipation		Irritability
	Low body temperature		Mood swings
	(feeling cold all the time)		Low self-esteem
	In children, slowed growth; and in		Crying easily
	infants, affects development and
	causes mental retardation

 

 

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism include:

	Anxiety		Like working under pressure
	Fast heart rate		Mentally active
	Diarrhea		Irritability
	Weight loss		Mood swings
	Bulging eyes		High self-esteem
	Qualities of aggressive		Difficulty sleeping, relaxing or resting
	overachievement

 

If you suffer and consider 4 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from thyroid malfunction.

 

 

 

 

The liver has at least 500 separate functions. If we looked at the classification of these functions, we could narrow them down to two classifications. 

 

The first classification would be one of food processing. The liver is responsible for storing sugar and also breaking it down when needed. The liver also converts carbohydrates and proteins into fats. The liver also breaks down the fat when needed and forms all the major proteins that are used in the body.  The liver also stores vitamins A and D.

 

The second classification of the liver is for the removal of all impurities found in the blood, such as all poisons, toxins, bacteria, virus, parasites, environmental pollutants, pesticides, industrial chemicals, food additives, metabolic wastes, excessive hormones, medications, and any and all filth that one can put into their body. At the present time, there are thought to be 200,000 foreign chemicals in the environment. The liver, through its various enzyme pathways, is responsible for neutralization of the various poisons. 

 

Symptoms produced by liver problems include:  

	Stiffness in limbs		High blood pressure
	Fatigue		Low cholesterol
	Poor resistance (getting sick easily)		High blood sugar
	Chronic system infections		Kidney problems
	Difficulty metabolizing food		Problems with eye sight
	High Cholesterol

 

If you suffer and consider 4 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from liver malfunction.

 

 

 

 

The purpose of the Spleen is to break down red blood cells and all other cells. As blood passes through the spleen, fragile red blood cells are destroyed. The spleen also removes bacteria, debris, and parasites. The spleen can enlarge to improve the cleansing function of the body. The spleen also contains a white pulp, which is filled with lymphocytes, which creates immunity against toxins, debris, and bacteria.


Symptoms that are caused by spleen malfunction include:  

	Left sided lower body pain		Gall bladder problems
	Swollen glands		Anemia
	Body odor		Difficulty getting over sickness
	Shortness of breath		Fatigue

 

If you suffer and consider 4 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from spleen malfunction.

 

 

 

 

The Thymus is a gland located behind the sternum, and reaches maximum development during childhood. It is very large when the child is born, weighs its greatest when a child reaches puberty, and then its tissue is replaced by fat.

The thymus gland secretes a hormone called thymosine A, which helps to develop the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is called the sanitation system of the body because it is specifically designed to collect and destroy invading organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, and to collects toxins. This then prevents the spread of invading organisms causing sickness and disease.

For example, the lymph tissue of the intestines is exposed to bacteria coming in through your food and drink. The lymph tissues in your throat are your tonsils and adenoids, which are the first line of defense in your upper respiratory tract. Your lymph nodes, just under the skin, are responsible for protecting the inside of the body when traumatized or cut. Lymph tissue in the spleen and bone marrow intercept invading organisms and toxins once they reach the bloodstream

Thymus patients:

 

	Have difficulty gaining weight,		Are susceptible to cancer
	and are emaciated		Have weak immune systems
	Are very fragile		Always get sick
	Are predisposed with healing		Always display some type of flu symptom
	of their own bodies		Have fatigue

 

If you suffer and consider 4 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from thymus malfunction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The adrenal or suprarenal glands are paired with each gland located on the upper portion of each kidney. Each gland is actually two endocrine glands divided into an outer layer, which is called the cortex, and an inner layer, called the medulla. The adrenal cortex is necessary and essential to life, but the medulla is not and can be removed with no life-threatening effects.

The adrenal cortex produces hormones called glucocorticoids that help in the control of blood sugar and increase the burning of protein, sugar and fat. These hormones also respond to fever, major illness/disease, and injury. Another group of hormones from the adrenal cortex are called mineralcorticoids. These hormones control the volume of blood (thus regulating blood pressure) by affecting the kidneys to maintain sodium potassium and water levels. A third group of hormones called androgens (sex hormones) affect secondary sex characteristics in both men and women.

The adrenal medulla produces a hormone known as epinephrine (adrenaline), which increases the heart rate, dilates (opens) airways to improve oxygen intake, and increases blood flow to muscles. This usually occurs when a person is excited or stressed. A second hormone, known as Norepinephrine, is also produced by the adrenal medulla. This hormone is related more to maintaining normal activities as opposed to emergency reactions.

Problems caused by the adrenal cortex include:  

	Fever		Loss of secondary sexual characteristics
	Frequent urination		Osteoporosis
	Emotional or mood swings		Kidney conditions
	Mid back pain		Fluid retention
	Inflammatory reactions		Kidney stones
	High/Low blood pressure		Weight gain
	Rapid pulse		Difficulty handling sugar, protein or fats
	Loss of sex drive

 

 

Problems caused by the adrenal medulla include:

 

 

	Fatigue		High/Low blood pressure
	Emotional or mood swings		Rapid pulse
	Mid back pain

 

If you suffer and consider 4 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from adrenal cortex malfunction.