Hormone Health and Your Body!

Did you know that the human body has over 50 hormones that have been identified to maintain cellular health and balance to help your body function?

Hormones play an important role in regulating body function. This regulations is important for both growth and development, which impacts brain function, a healthy immune system, strong bones and muscles. Our Hormones are active and known to be chemical messengers that promote the balance needed within the endocrine system.

When the body is given what it needs to maintain homeostasis, such as the essential elements of health; fresh air (oxygen), sunshine, pure water, nourishing foods, exercise, sleep, rest, recreation, proper temperature, mental poise, cleanliness, and spiritual wellness,

there will be a suitable internal environment stable for life.

Our endocrine system, acts as a control tower which affects our metabolism. The endocrine system consist of glands, hormones, and receptors which includes the following:

• Hypothalamus

• Pituitary gland

• Pineal gland

• Thyroid and parathyroid glands

• Thymus

• Pancreas

• Ovary

• Adrenal glands

• Testicle

• Placenta

In addition to the endocrine system, the hormones that help keep the human body in balance are the Amino Acids, Peptides, Steroids, and Eicosnoid Hormones.

The Amino Acid Hormones are water-soluble, but insoluble in lipid (fats)

These hormones are identified as Epinephrine (Adrenaline), Melatonin, Thyroxine, and Triiodothyronine.

The Peptides Hormones are protein molecules, which consist of amino acids that are chemically iced together and found throughout the body's tissues and cells.

These hormones are identified as the most abundant types, such as, adiponectin, Leptin, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH-cortiotropin), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Growth Hormone (somatotropin),Lipotropin, Luteinizing Hormone, Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone, Protection, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH-thyrotropin), Osteocaicin (BGLAP), Cortistatin, Cholecystokinin (CCK), Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide (GIP),

Secretin, Guanylin, Galanin, Atrial-Natriuretic Peptide (atriopeptin), Brain Natriuretic Peptide, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, Orexin, Prolactin Releasing Hormone, Somatostatin, Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone,

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, Enkephalin, Erythhropoietin, Angiotensinogen and Angiotensin, Hepcidin, Insulin Growth Factor, Inhibin, Amylin, Glucagon, Insulin, Pancreatic Polypeptide, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Parathyroid Hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadoptropin, Human Placental Lactogen, Antidiurectic Hormone (vasopressin, arginine vasopressin, ADH), Oxytocin, Uroguanylin, Motilin, Ghrelin, Gastrin, Anti-Mullerian Hormone, Calitonin, Relaxin, Endothelin, and Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Peptide.

The Steroid Hormones are primarily located in our Ovaries, Testes and Adrenal glands.

These Hormones are identified in the male and female body. They are Androstenedione, Dehydroepiandostrone (DHEA), Dihydrotestosterone, Testosterone, Estradiol, Estriol, Estrone, Cortisol, Aldosterone, Progesterone, Calcitriol (1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D 3), and Calcidiol (25 - hydroxy vitamin D 3). The steroids produce glands that are Androgens, Estrogens, Glucocorticoid, Mineralocorticoid, Progestogen, and Secosteroids.

The Eicosnoid Hormones are produced from essential fatty acids.

These Hormones are identified in the body as, Prostacyclin, Thromboxane, Leukotrienes, and Prostaglandins.

To understand the life sustaining efforts of the endocrine and hormone system; we must first identify the hormones that regulate brain function, bone health, the immune system, growth and development. The endocrine and hormone system must maintain hormone balance for health and wellbeing.

For example; there are four hormones that are essential for mood and behavior. These hormones can best be described as our happy hormones.

• Dopamine: It is released during pleasurable situations as a stimulant, i.e. (food)

• Serotonin: It helps the body to experience happiness; regulating mood disorders.

• Oxytocin: It is known as the "love hormone or "cuddle chemical"sensory.

• Endorphins: It is the body's natural pain reliever and mood booster.

When the body works in harmony, the outcome is good cellular health. The body's health depends on brain function, immunity, bones, muscles, blood, organs, oxygen and water. How do our hormone affect brain function?

Hormone Brain Function:

When we think of brain function, it can be summarized in two words, cognitive ability.

The hormones that regulates brain function is controlled by the hypothalamus. It is located in the base of the brain that control functions like blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and digestion, (maintaining homeostasis). It is connected to the pituitary gland through the pituitary stalk. The hypothalamus is responsible for making the following hormones:

• Corticotrophin-releasing hormone: It is a central driver of the stress hormone system, (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

• Dopamine: It is a neurotransmitter communicating between nerve cells in the brain and body.

• Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone: These hormones are responsible for the sex hormones levels, livid and fertility.

• Growth hormone-releasing hormone: This hormone is responsible to stimulate the pituitary gland to release growth hormone in the bloodstream.

• Oxytocin: It is a natural hormone responsible for the male and female reproduction

• Somatostatin: It regulates bodily functions by releasing other hormones, the activity of the gastrointestinal tract and the rapid reproduction of cells.

• Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: It regulates thyroid gland activity, by stimulating thyroid hormone release to make more thyroid hormones.

Lifestyle changes can help improve hormone health, and reverse chronic health conditions. When we consume whole foods with natural ingredients, and macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals), the body will work well to maintain homeostasis. There are other factors to consider when looking to improve ones health and well-being for hormone balance that can benefit, such as exercising and making sure the body is getting enough sleep. However, homeostasis is responsible for maintaining stability for the living organism such as our body.

If the immune system is no longer maintaining the body's homeostasis, due to chronic health conditions, there will be challenges in accomplishing hormone balance or mental poise. Individuals with a weakened immune system may experience hormonal imbalance. What are the signs or symptoms of hormonal imbalance?

Hormonal Imbalance

When hormones are out of balance the effect can be detrimental. Why?, because cellular health is under attack. Oxygen, food and water determines the life of tissues and organs. If there is a change in the body's blood chemistry, the immune system will respond. The red blood cells depend on oxygen to carry nutrients to the body's tissue. The immune system protects the body from being attacked by bad bacteria that causes diseases. These diseases are known to cause acute and chronic conditions. The acute diseases are short term, and the chronic diseases are long term. Both disease categories can be contributed to hormonal imbalance. If an individual has too much or too little of certain hormones, diseases can develop. If the endocrine glands are not working properly this can affect the body's response to the hormones chemical messenger as a delayed action. The following signs or symptoms have been listed as a potential hormonal imbalance:

• weight gain

• fatigue

• sudden weight loss

• muscle weakness

• pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints

• increased or decreased heart rate

• sweating

• constipation

• depression

• increased hunger

• nervousness, anxiety, or infertility

• decreased sex drive

• thinning hair

• puffy face

• increased thirst

• frequent urination

Acute and Chronic health Conditions:

There are some acute or chronic health conditions that may cause or increase the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. These conditions are listed as:

• type 1 and type 2 diabetes

• hypothyroidism

• hyperthyroidism

• thyroid nodules

• Addisons' disease

• menopause

When hormones are out of balance there can be unexpected challenges with a weakened immune system. To help strengthen the immune system it is best practice to include the essential elements of health such as, fresh air, whole foods, pure water, sunshine, exercise, rest, sleep, physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual wellness to help strengthen the endocrine and hormone system. What are the foods to eat for hormonal balance?

Foods for Hormonal Balance:

A natural wholesome diet will help provide essential nutrients for healthy hormone balance. Finding the right foods that works well with your body type is a starting point. Below are a list of a few foods to help with maintaining a potential hormone balance, also known as "hormone balancing superfoods."

• Acid Fruits: lemon, limes, pineapples, oranges

• Sweet Fruit: blueberries, mangos, blackberries, strawberries, and cherries

• Vegetables: broccoli, bok choy, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, and kale

• Nuts: brazil nuts, walnuts, and almonds

• Legumes: beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas

• Seeds: pumpkin, sunflower, flaxseeds, and quinoa

• Seafood: Salmon and Tuna

In Conclusion:

Hormones play a significant role in maintaining optimum health. Hormones do communicate chemical messengers for brain functioning, immune support, bone health, growth and development. There are over 50 hormones in the human body that have different functions, and are carrying messages through the blood to the organs, skin, muscles and other vital tissues to maintain hormone balance.

Maintaining hormonal balance is important for the body to feel well. The endocrine system and hormone system is essential for life and heath. If our hormones are out of balance, they can trigger many acute episodes that may mimic other chronic health conditions. Talking to your primary care provider is usually the first step in getting the appropriate care related to your health. "An Endocrinologist is a specialist, who studies conditions related to hormones." Getting to the root cause is a starting point to a heathy lifestyle.

*Please check with your primary health provider before changing your diet or medical regimen...

"Here's Health To You Naturally!"

Dr. Brenda J. Pratt, H.D., Ph.D

Certified Holistic Hygio~Physician

Board Certified HHP (A.A.D.P.)

#holistic #healthy #nutrition #hormones #health #endocrinologist #thyroids #hygiophysician #body #exercise #macronutrients #balance

Source:

www.healthline.com

www.myclevelandclinic.org

www.wellhealth.com