THE SCIENCE OF HORMONES
Hormones are endocrine-generated molecules which send messages to different parts of the body. They help to control functions in your body, such as hunger, blood pressure and sexual appetite. While hormones are essential for reproduction, they are basic to all your body's systems. Hormones circulate through the entire body but affect only those cells expected to receive their messages. Hormones and receptor sites work like a lock and a key together.
What is it that hormones do in the body?
All bodies undergo regular hormonal changes during the day.
The pancreas produces the hormone insulin when you eat a meal, to help regulate blood sugar. Your adrenal glands pump out the hormone adrenaline (epinephrine) to help you respond fast, like you bang on the brakes to prevent a car accident. Your pineal gland works to make melatonin hormone to help you get a restful night's sleep.
If hormones aren't properly balanced, an endocrine disorder can be at fault. Getting too much of a hormone or not getting enough of a hormone (known as hypo-function) can cause problems.
Hormonal disequilibrium
Health conditions can cause hormonal imbalances. Some of them encompass:
- Diabetes Treatment
- Thyroid (e.g. hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism) disorders;
- Syndrome with Polycystic Ovary (PCOS)
Our bodies, small but mighty, depend on hormones to function. Some people are more hormone prone than others. It may explain why some people suffer from premenstrual syndrome or postpartum depression, while others are not at all disturbed by hormonal menstrual and pregnancy transitions.
A greater understanding of the factors influencing our well-being and how they can be regulated can help us lead happier and safer lives.
THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE (TSH)
This is a pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine T4 and triiodothyronine T3 that stimulates almost every tissue in our body to be metabolized.
Abnormality of this hormone is shown by rapid weight gain, weight loss, dry skin, mood changes, extreme cold or heat intolerance, depression with poor metabolism and even enlarged goiter-like gland. Abnormalities of this hormone can be successfully controlled with alteration of the diet, medications, yoga, workouts and daily hormone tests. It has two forms, mainly: Hypo & Hyper. Standard range is that of:
- TSH: 0.5 – 4.15 mU/L
- T4: 6-12ug/dL
- T3: 240 -280 ug/dL
INSULIN
Insulin is released by the pancreas which is a leaf-like gland situated behind the stomach in the abdominal cavity. It controls the levels of glucose or sugar in the body, which come from carbohydrates.
It also helps the body to store and use glucose for energy, and it induces either hyper or hypo-glycemia when it is released into the bloodstream.
Insulin abnormality can lead to weight gain or weight loss, frequent urination, feeling hungry all the time, fatigue, lengthy healing wounds etc. Such sudden changes in the body are owing to the action of insulin, either it is not released in adequate quantity or it can not work at present.
- Random blood glucose: 70-100mg/dl
- Fasting: 70 -110mg/dl
- After meals: <140mg/dl
CORTISOL (STRESS HORMONE)
There's a reasonable chance you could get stressed every second person you meet! The adrenal gland produces the stress hormone, called Cortisol. It helps us stay healthy and full of energy. Its principal role is to regulate physical and psychological stress.
Excess hormone release induces many side effects including elevated heart rate , blood pressure, respiration, sweating, and shivering. The body secretes cortisol to cope with the condition in times of stress. Consistently elevated cortisol levels, induces ulcers, high blood pressure, anxiety, high cholesterol rates, etc.
Likewise, low cortisol levels in the body cause weakness, tiredness and low blood pressure. This can be managed by expressing thoughts, reflection, doing what you want (some hobby), listening to music, spending time with family, going out on holidays, praying, and eventually taking medicine for psychological care.
SEX HORMONES
This hormone is divided into both male and female hormones:
Testosterone: It's a sex hormone for males. Naturally an anabolic steroid, it helps develop muscles in the body. It plays a significant role in male reproductive tissue production in males; testes, and prostate. It also encourages secondary sexual characteristics such as muscle and bone mass enhancement, body hair development etc. If testosterone secretion in men is inadequate, then disorders, including frailty and loss of bone, can result. A medicine should be used to treat this.
Progesterone: When a woman becomes pregnant this hormone is produced in the ovaries, placenta and adrenal glands. It activates different functions, and controls them. Progesterone plays an important role in sustaining pregnancy as it helps prepare the body for conception, pregnancy and controls the menstrual cycle. When pregnancy does not occur, the rates of progesterone decrease and there is a menstrual cycle. It plays a part in sexual attraction, too. Any anomalies can be treated with medicine and home remedies.
SEROTONIN
During stressful days we all need the happy hormone! It's associated with learning and memory, sleep regulation, digestion, mood management, certain muscle functions, etc. Imbalance of this hormone may well influence the role of the brain to regulate stress levels and mood.
Low serotonin levels cause depression, migraine, weight gain, insomnia, carbohydrate cravings etc. Excess serotonin levels in the body cause agitation, confusion stage, pain management etc.
Having learned about the 5 hormones that are important for good health, it is clear that the secret to keeping them in control is healthy food, an active lifestyle and good meditation rest. Make sure you consult with your doctor about any hormone imbalances and abnormalities and take the required measures recommended by your doctor.
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