Hormone Information

Hormone Imbalance

The endocrine system and the nervous system are the communication systems of the body.

The endocrine system provides cellular instructions via chemical messengers. Hormones that are produced in the endocrine glands in one part of the body travel through the bloodstream until they encounter special receptors which they interact with in order to initiate essential biological responses in target tissues.

Natural hormones, the hormones our bodies make, are usually short-lived staying in the bloodstream for only a few minutes, or at most a few hours, just long enough to deliver their message. After the hormone delivers their message, enzymes from the liver break up the hormones into pieces that are then either flushed out as waste, or reused to build other molecules. Although hormones do their work quickly, they regulate biological processes that can have long lasting effects. The good news is that an imbalance can be corrected.


Homeostasis

Both the nervous system and the endocrine system maintain the constancy of the "internal milieu" or homeostasis. Endocrine organs produce their hormones according to the dictates of finely regulated feedback, or control systems that are tuned to set points. Set points may be altered by circadian rhythms (24 hour cycles) or seasonal cycles, the environment, the nervous system, and other influences. The endocrine system regulates growth, maturation, reproduction, and even behavior.

What Does This Mean for You?

Hormones and the Endocrine System, affect all parts of the body. Imbalanced hormones can change cell communications which speeds up the aging process, and can lead to disease. If a cell cannot receive a message, then it will not be able to function correctly. An imbalance in one hormone will have an effect on other parts of the Endocrine System. For example, if a woman's thyroid or adrenal glands are depleted or functioning inadequately, she will likely experience problems with her sexual reproductive organs. The thyroid, the adrenals, and other glands are all affected by the endocrine imbalances.

To achieve a feeling of well-being, you should consider thyroid disorders, insulin resistance, and adrenal disorders as possible culprits. In addition, Phase I and Phase II pathways in the liver must be supported for the hormones to be metabolized.

There are eight different glands located throughout the body that make up he Endocrine System. The Endocrine System regulates the body's major continuous and prolonged processes, which include reproduction; growth and development; cellular metabolism and energy; blood balance of nutrients; electrolytes and water; and the mobilization of body defenses against stressors (physical and mental resources). The glands responsible are the ovaries (testes, in men), adrenals, pancreatic islets, thyroid, parathyroid, pineal, pituitary, and hypothalamus (which is also part of the nervous system). Besides the eight glands mentioned above there are hormone-producing cells in the tissues of the small intestine, heart, kidneys, and stomach. Having the right hormone levels is critical to maintaining good health.

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