What are Hormones?

Each body part, including the brain, stomach, sexual organs, depends on little messengers to tell them what to do depending on the body’s needs at each moment. These special little messengers are chemicals called hormones. Hormones are released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands. The thyroid gland, pituitary gland and adrenal glands are all examples of endocrine glands. Hormones are released into the bloodstream in very small quantities but they have big effects on the body and our quality of life.

Hormones control most of the glands that regulate the most important functions of our bodies. They are responsible for a most aspects of our daily lives including sleep, appetite, sexual desire, mood and energy. The amount and ratios of hormones produced changes with each stage of human development from infancy to end-of-life and it is these changes that are responsible for the natural aging process.

The chemicals known as hormones operate on a complicated feedback loop. The amount of the hormone being secreted tells the body if it needs to make more or less of itself. If the amount of hormone gets too high, its production will be shut off. There are usually intermediary substances that help in this regulation as well. Many parts of the body are involved in the directions given to a hormone about how much of them should be around. For example, the hypothalamus, a very small part of the brain, sends messages to the pituitary gland. The chemicals released by the pituitary gland send messages (often through intermediaries such as the ovaries) to what we call target organs directing them in their minute-to-minute function. An example of a target organ is the uterus. This organ is responsible for housing and supporting your unborn child and it is also responsible for your monthly menstruation. The hormones of pregnancy, menstruation and menopause vary greatly and thus the behavior of the uterus differs during of these times of a woman’s life.

The amounts of hormones must be very tightly controlled at all times or disease and disability will result. For example, too much of the sex hormone estrogen can contribute to problems such as fibroids and endometriosis in women. However, if not enough estrogen is present, a woman will not develop the characteristics of being a female. Problems with the amount of hormone in the body can be caused by disease states (such as thyroid disease or adrenal disease) or environmental factors (such as exposure to xenoestrogens). The most common cause of a change in the amount of hormones in the body is aging. Changes in hormones as we age are thought to contribute to a number of ailments including osteoporosis and heart disease.

Overall, hormones are very important and their levels must be maintained in order for us to live happy and healthy lives.