Our thoughts and body movements are regulated by Brain, but when
it comes to body’s internal regulation, Hormones run the show....!
How do they do that....
Who regulates it.....?
?
This article will cover all the doubts...
What are Hormones?
- Hormones are the signalling molecules of the body secreted by cells of Endocrine system to give specific order to the distant cells.
- Hormones are made of mainly protein and, sometimes, steroid or lipid that travel by blood to their target.
- More than 200 hormones are there in the human body.
- This article, later on, will talk about the key hormones.
Additional Knowledge: -
Pituitary gland also known as a
master gland regulates the functions of many other glands.
Let me introduce you to some important hormones...
- Melatonin
We wake up in the morning, sometimes, even without alarm is due to our body’s natural clock regulated by a hormone called Melatonin.
Melatonin
regulates our circadian rhythm – internal body clock and is also responsible
for when we feel hungry, sleepy and wakeful.
This hormone is secreted by pineal
gland situated at the centre of the brain.
This hormone could be kept in a
healthy range by eating, sleeping and waking up at a same time every day.
When
we take a flight that crosses several time zones in a less time, our melatonin
hormone will get disturbed – the situation also known as Jet lag.
- Hunger Hormones
When we feel hungry, it is because the level of Ghrelin - in
our blood is high. This will signal the Brain that we need to eat.
When leptin –
made by fat cells, is high in the blood we do not feel hungry.
Fat loss is the play between Ghrelin and Leptin.
- Insulin
When we consume meals, our blood sugar level will rise.
To
bring it back to normal and allow the cells to consume blood’s glucose,
pancreas will release a hormone called Insulin.
This will facilitate the entry
of Glucose in the cells.
When we eat too frequently, too much, our pancreas has
to release Insulin often.
Due to that our pancreatic cells will eventually burn
out after 30- 40 years and stop producing Insulin at all or will produce very
little insulin.
Sometimes cells will become resistant to insulin due to
Obesity.
Both above mentioned terms are called Diabetes.
This issue could be
solved by Intermittent Fasting, a new approach to deal with Diabetes.
- Thyroid Hormone
A very important hormone controlling our metabolism, brain development,
weight and temperature.
This hormone acts on every cells of the body and also
called ‘metabolic thermostat’.
This is the common source of the endocrine
disorders in women.
Iodine should be properly supplied via diet to keep the
level of it in a healthy range.
This hormone is always present in the blood.
If
this hormone is more than set range, the disease is called hyperthyroidism –
less weight, elevated body temperature and irregular heart beat.
Low level of
this hormone is called hypothyroidism – Obesity, Cold extremities and hair
loss.
- Adrenaline
Adrenaline also called fight or flight hormone gets released
from adrenal glands, when we are under stressful situation.
This will prepare
us to fight against the situation or to give up and run.
The effects will be
increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, increase in blood glucose and
dilatation of pupil.
- Cortisol
When we remain stressed chronically, Cortisol – stress hormone
gets released from adrenal gland.
It can cause osteoporosis, muscle weakness
and high blood pressure.
- Endorphine
- Oxytocin
Oxytocin – the love hormone, is secreted when we get
physical affection.
When we cuddle our loved ones or we hug people or pet our
cat or dog, this hormone gets released.
This hormone will make us feel good,
build trust and bond well.
So,
This is how out body gets regulated.
Comment below if you have got any questions.....