A steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that helps the kidneys regulate the amount of salt and water in your body and, thus, regulate your blood pressure. When aldosterone levels drop too low, your kidneys cannot keep your salt and water levels in balance, and your blood volume and blood pressure drop.

	Addison's Disease The Condition "...It occurs when the adrenal glands, located above each kidney, do not produce enough corticosteroids - in particular, the hormone cortisol, and in some cases, the hormone aldosterone..." Adrenal Insufficiency Related Topic "A condition in which the adrenal gland is compromised in its production of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, corticosterone or aldosterone..." Cigarette Smoke Damage The Condition "...Smoking causes an acute increase in blood pressure, pulse rate, plasma ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone, and catecholamine levels..." Edema (Water Retention) Recommendation Ginkgo Biloba "Idiopathic cyclic edema is characterized by water and sodium retention with secondary hyperaldosteronism (over-production of aldosterone) due to capillary hyperpermeability..." Recommendation Conventional Drug Use "...It works against the kidney hormone aldosterone which is elevated in this condition and causes excess salt and water retention..." Hormones Related Topic "...Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin..." Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium Level) The Condition "...The adrenal gland secretes a hormone called aldosterone that travels to the kidney, where it causes the kidney to retain sodium by not excreting it into the urine..." Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency The Condition "...hydrocortisone), mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) and androgens such as androstenedione and DHEA..." Premenstrual Syndrome PMS H (Headache) The Condition "...These symptoms are due to an increased extracellular fluid volume which is in turn due to an excess of aldosterone which causes increased fluid retention..." Recommendation Magnesium "A deficiency in magnesium causes hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex, elevated aldosterone levels, and increased extracellular fluid volume..."

Last updated: May 10, 2007