Hormones are often called chemical messengers that control bodily functions all over the body. They are created in the endocrine glands, and are secreted directly into the blood. The main endocrine glands are the pituitary gland, pineal gland, ovaries, pancreas, testes, thyroid gland, hypothalamus, adrenal glands and the parathyroid gland. They are collectively called the endocrine system.
Some of the functions that hormones control are hunger, weight gain, sleep and reproduction. They also control moods and emotions. If you understand the major hormones and what they do, you can organize your life to have a better chance of maintaining overall wellness.
There are many different types of hormones, and some play a bigger role in your health than others. For women, estrogen is an important hormone because it controls puberty, helps make the uterus ready for pregnancy and regulates the menstrual cycle. When a woman reaches the menopause age, the level of estrogen drops, which is the main cause of unpleasant symptoms some women experience. Progesterone is not a main hormone, but it plays a role in pregnancy and the menstrual cycle. In some cases woman have progesterone deficiency, and in these cases there are low progesterone treatment programs to address the issue. Progesterone therapy can assist in these circumstances.
Cortisol assists the body in handling stress, but it has other functions. Being able to deal with stress also plays a role in emotional responses.
Melatonin levels relate to sleep. The level changes throughout the day and increases after dark to assist sleep.
Testosterone is the hormone that causes puberty in men. It also increases bone density, aids in muscle growth and causes facial hair growth.
There are some things you can do to help your hormones function properly and thereby help improve your overall health. Many people consume large amounts of vegetable oil that is high in Omega-6 fat and do not eat enough Omega-3 fat. However, for hormones to function properly, a balance of the two fats is required.
It is also recommended to limit the amount of caffeine you take. Too much caffeine may disrupt the endocrine system, especially if there are other factors, such as pregnancy, improper fat balance and stress.
Whenever possible, you should avoid harmful chemicals. The chemicals found in many household cleaners, pesticides and plastics mimic hormones and cause the body to stop producing them. The main chemical in many plastics is BPA, which disrupts the endocrine system.
Getting enough sleep is important for the normal function of hormones. Just one night of missed sleep can disrupt certain hormones. Sleep is also important for maintaining the proper weight and regulating blood sugar.
In order to have good health, hormones need to be in proper balance. When they get out of balance even a little, they can cause serious symptoms. When you modify your lifestyle to help keep your hormones in balance, you may see a positive change in your overall wellness.
Sometimes this is not enough, however. If your hormones are turning your world upside down, Better Life Carolinas can help. During a consultation at our office in Mount Pleasant or Charlotte, you can learn about bioidentical hormone replacement and how it can help you. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to learn more.