Your best friends – HORMONES

 

The glandular/endocrine system consists of a collection of glands that produces chemical substances like hormones or enzymes for normal bodily functioning to regulate the metabolic rates in terms of growth and others. It includes managing growth, metabolism, fertility and pregnancy. Owing to complications, it can give rise to different symptoms in different bodies.

For instance, men with high testosterone levels may lose their tempers easily, yet some do not. This difference in manifestation can be attributed to whether the hormone involved binds to receptors to express itself.  For women, you might not realize that fluctuating hormones could be the culprit of your weight gain, and that balancing your hormones can help you lose weight in menopause or at any age.

Types/functions

The 100 known hormones in our bodies can be in the form of proteins, amines and steroids - all derived from cholesterol produced by the liver or from the foods we eat.

Broadly they can be categorised as endocrine and exocrine. The primary role of hormones is to carry specific instructions to targeted cells to assist in coordinating that activity. Basically a hormone has the appropriate shape to fit into the receptor found on the surface of a cell. There are hormones that are capable of permeating the inner cell and bind directly to a specific segment of its DNA as well.

- Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete fluids known as hormones directly into the bloodstream to control long term of target organ eg. thyroid glands, pituitary gland, adrenal gland.

- Exocrine glands release secreted enzymes through a tube or duct eg. sweat gland, gastric gland, mammary gland, mucous usually for short term activities.

- Only the pancreas, responsible for secreting insulin and glucagons for glucose regulation is unique to have both glands. A vital function is to secrete insulin to bind to receptors to perform the task of making glucose available to our body cells.

Owing to its complexity, the hormones are interlinked and each influences the other many ways. 

Sources

Hormonal production is regulated by the 7 specialised glands to balance the body system, namely: 

- Pituitary gland (this master gland regulates all things metabolic)

- Thyroid gland (controls body metabolism)

- Parathyroid gland (controls calcium levels)

- Pancreas (controls release of insulin)

- Adrenal glands (secrete adrenaline and cortisol to help in coping with stress)

- Pineal gland (releases melatonin to put body to rest)

- The gonads (control the release of sex hormones to boost sex drive and memory)

 

A. GROWTH HORMONES

The master or ‘pituitary‘ gland of the endocrine system is responsible for the promotion of growth-related processes in the body such as protein synthesis and the development of organs. As a whole, it controls and coordinates all the activities of the other endocrine glands.

 

1.  Parathyroid hormone (PTH) secreted by the parathyroid glands acts to increase the concentration of calcium in the blood, whereas calcitonin (a hormone produced by the thyroid gland) acts to decrease calcium concentration.

2.  The thyroid gland is also involved in brain development and metabolic functions of the body. Thyroid regulates hormone levels such as thyroxin and adrenaline that regulate the usage rate of oxygen, digestion and energy production. Iodine, being the basic substance of thyroid hormone can determine the working condition eg. rate of metabolism. When the thyroid function drops, the pituitary gland quickly raises thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to compensate for the loss.

All illustration is a child born with a deficiency of the thyroid hormone known as hypothyroidism that can end up physically stunted and mentally challenged if left untreated. On the contrary, thyroid hormone overproduction leads to hyperthyroidism. Autoimmune disorders to the thyroid can also cause both conditions.

3.  The hormone melatonin is naturally produced by the pineal gland in abundance in early years but declines with age. On a daily routine, it falls in the day and rises in the night (from 8 pm to 1 am) or in dark conditions, to prepare us for a good sleep. It helps to prevent harmful oxidative damage that leads to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Also known to stimulate the immune system and plays a major role in the production of estrogen, testosterone and possibly other hormones.

B. SEX HORMONES

At puberty sex hormones are produced by the gonads (male and female reproductive organs) in both sexes with discernible physical changes observed. Fats and cholesterols are needed for this transformation to take place. 

In women, the ovaries start to produce oestrogen and progesterone, the levels of which are influenced by the pattern sequence in controlling the daily and monthly female menstruation cycle. The onset of menopause stops all menstrual activities when women experience a drastic drop in both sex hormones.


Estrogen is the hormone responsible for the development of female sexual characteristics (breasts and hips). In the case of estrogen dominance, slower metabolism results in fat being stored. Thus women having more estrogen than men find it harder to lose weight. For those under menopause, estrogen dominance can still take place though estrogen levels are plummeting due to two events at play. First, while estrogen levels are lower after menopause, if your progesterone levels are super low, you can still have estrogen dominance. Secondly, exposure to environmental estrogens called xenoestrogens generally found in pesticides, hormones in animal products, and plastics which also mimic natural estrogen as they are also “endocrine disruptors.”

This expression is relatively lesser for testosterone and androsterone in men.

C. HOUSEKEEPING HORMONES

Basically the pancreas and adrenal glands guide the normal functioning of the body system with tasks such as maintaining blood pressure and sugar level to stress management. However, these are the hormones that tend to fluctuate badly at times. 


1.  Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and to regulate glucose (blood sugar) in your body. By consuming excessive sugary foods throughout the day, you keep your insulin working overtime trying to clear the sugar from your blood with leftover stored as fat. This is how obesity and visceral fat come about. In modern times, hormone deficiencies are counteracted with artificial hormones such as insulin hormone injection for Type 1 diabetes.


2.  The adrenal glands secrete a number of steroid hormones, known as corticosteroids on day-night pattern - is at the peak when we wake up in the morning and at the ebb past midnight. Some critical bodily processes are maintenance of blood pressure, blood glucose levels, salt and water balance. A cortisol hormone is produced in greater amount when extra energy is required or under a stressful situation. Unfortunately, as we are so inundated with a constant stream of modern stressors and the need to be task-switching and communicating across a variety of channels, many of us have a surplus amount of cortisol in our bodies which are usually stored as visceral fat. This puts us at danger for cardiovascular disease.

More findings

Scientists are still puzzled as to how hormones interact with each other at the molecular level and hope to unravel the mystery on how hormones can be used to treat related disorders. Some tricks you can employ to harness your hormones are as follows:

In the morning…..

-  Waking up in the morning by drinking filtered water with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon water can help to regulate your blood sugar first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything else.


-  With metabolism running low, is nice to enjoy an early jog to rev up metabolism and jolt the brain for the release of more serotonin (a hormone associated with happiness) and dopamine (a hormone related to motivation). The thyroid hormones, responsible for metabolic function, are released at the same time and can remain in the bloodstream for hours, ready to burn nutrients and fat stores in response to energy demands.

-  A good night’s sleep in interpreted as several hours of starvation to the body. So in an effort to conserve energy, a great drop of the two hormones – leptin and insulin are involved to slow down the metabolic effect.

Leptin is produced by the body’s fat cells and intestines to inform the hypothalamus of our brain that we are satiated, or full. As the modern diet contains much fructose, excess amount is stored as fat. Thus, a healthy breakfast, combining protein and fibre-rich carbohydrates is important to turn the trigger for an increase in leptin, and inform the body that the fast is not a famine. This reduces the hunger pang and increases the energy expenditure. Also, it produces a gradual and steady increase in insulin.

In the afternoon…..

Come noon and the stomach reminds us of lunch by releasing the hunger hormone ghrelin. A meal comprising both protein and fat should see you through late afternoon. Good choices are Omega 3 rich foods such as fish, grass-fed meats and chia seeds.


Testosterone levels are running high and is best time to focus on creative works. A peak is reached around 3 pm and you feel tired with worsening memory. Fill this gap by taking a competitive break to stimulate the brain like playing some exciting computer games.

In the evening….

Dinner should be taken by latest 8 pm as metabolism drops in the evening. For ladies, to lower estrogen levels naturally, eating a pound of veggies per day provides the fiber to remove the excess estrogen from your body. Can start off with 35 to 45 gram of fiber per day and increasing the amount slowly so as not to cause stomach upset. This should be combined with little red meat, alcohol and processed foods for better result. Same for guys who are concerned about decreased testosterone levels – resulting in obesity, decrease in muscle mass, libido and erectile dysfunction. Refrain from supper especially if you are staying up late as the hunger hormone tends to surge. If necessary, munch some nuts to slip into sleep easier.

TV can emit rays and give off a bright glare enough to shut off the brain’s production of melatonin, the hormone that sends us to sleep.

Before bed....

Unwind the day by engaging in activities which make you feel calmer, thus lowering your cortisol levels. Other ways you can naturally lower your cortisol levels include - meditation, taking magnesium supplement and getting quality sleep consistently. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation reduces leptin levels and actually increases your body’s desire for fatty or carbohydrate-rich foods.

Other comments

+ Understanding their functions and harnessing their potentials enable all your best friends to work harmoniously within your body.

+ A lack of any hormone can result in disorders and symptoms including diabetes, growth, retardation and thyroid problems.

+ Treat hormonal imbalance seriously as it can lead to diseases affecting organs and our lifestyle. More often than not, nutrient deficiency is the root of the problem.

Sources: Mind your Body, ST dated Jul 15, 2010; Prescription to Natural Healing

VIVA corner

Aging is directly linked to a reduced output of one or more of the endocrine system hormones, particularly the human growth hormone (HGH) which is produced by the pituitary gland. As a result, we experience aging symptoms such as lack of energy, depression, premature aging, memory loss, degenerative diseases and weakened musco-skeletal structure.

+ VIVA Ageguard is a proprietary formulation of free form amino acids extracted from soy and rice protein with other unique ingredients, that acts as a natural HGH releaser to defy the aging process. Taken as a whole, the body is rebuilding healthy muscles, organs, neurotransmitters, hormones and other cellular chemicals necessary for their optimal function.

+ VIVA Royal Jelly to aid in hormonal formation and functions.

+ VIVA B-easy to improve metabolism and maintain the balance of glandular system.


+  VIVA FEM helps women who are going through menopause or having pre-menstrual syndrome, irregular menstrual cycle, imbalance hormone and other women's health challengers.