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Hormones: The most important components of the endocrine system
The human body is very complex, being made up of various systems, including the circulatory system, whose role is to ensure the functioning of the blood, as well as other fluids, the bone system, with the help of which man can coordinate his movements, as well as others of importance. One of these is the endocrine one, which consists of hormones controlled by various glands or organs. Some of them are so small that their functions are often minimized.
Many times, when health problems arise, many people think of anything other than the imbalances that the endocrine system can suffer from, due to too little or too many secreted hormones. This is a first alarm signal that these small components of the human body must benefit from due attention.
But what are hormones? These are substances secreted by certain glands in order to make it work or even change the way an organ works. They are classified into 3 large types, each with its own sub-categories.
The role of hormones in the body is very important, and in the lines below you can discover in detail what they mean, how many types they are and how you can help your body function properly by taking care of the endocrine system.
Contents:
1.1. Hormones and where they are found in the endocrine system
1.2. What are hormones and how do they work?
3.1. What do hormones mean for the human body?
1. Hormones, an important component in the functioning of the human body
The human body is very complex, needing several components to work harmoniously for you to feel good. Hormones are among them.
Many people wonder what these are, especially those who have not paid much attention to the states they sometimes have, thinking that other organs are to blame for health problems, which is partially true, because their functioning is influenced by these substances called exactly that: hormones.
Many times, people who practice certain sports are more interested in hormones, especially since they play an important role in stimulating the growth of muscle mass . The truth is that they are very important for the entire human body that has an entire endocrine system that is based on these substances.
Hormones are one of the "wheels" that make the human body function correctly, one of their roles being to regulate certain mechanisms through the endocrine system.
1.1. Hormones and where they are found in the endocrine system
There are several types of hormones, so they are "spread" throughout the body. Therefore, the endocrine system that they comprise is also quite complex. They are secreted by various glands that can be located in the lower or upper part of the body.
An important thing to remember is that the body has both glands with external secretion, such as the lacrimal ones, but also internal ones, so that the hormones are secreted by those of the second category. Therefore, they can only be found inside the body, having a direct effect on the internal organs. However, their manifestations can also be external. For example, they influence the growth of children.
The role of hormones in the body is very important, they can even influence emotional states, as often happens in the case of thyroid patients, or better said when the thyroid gland no longer functions properly.
1.2. What are hormones and how do they work?
Although there is quite a lot of information about them, many people continue to wonder what are hormones? The simplest thing to say is that they are substances that are naturally secreted by certain glands called endocrine, hence the name of the system they compose.
Hormones are released directly into the blood and are directed to the organs whose functioning they must regulate. To reach their destination, they are "carried" by certain proteins. It is good to remember that their greatest influence is on:
- metabolism, which is related to weight gain and loss in both women and men;
- the development of the sexual organs;
- growth in the case of children;
- stress and the body's reaction to harmful factors that create unpleasant emotional states.
Besides these, there are also hormones that are secreted by certain formations for specific periods of time, such as the placenta that synthesizes specific substances during pregnancy.
Therefore, there are hormones secreted during the entire human life, but also in certain periods. They have a very important role in the human body, the endocrine system they make up being one of the basic ones to be healthy.
2. The role of hormones in the body
The role of hormones in the body is a very important one, according to the information above, but it is good to remember that they will manifest themselves differently depending on:
- the stage of life in which a person is;
- certain events that take place in a person's life;
- certain activities undertaken by a woman or a man.
This is the main reason why there is also a classification of hormones.
The main glands that secrete hormones are:
- the hypothalamus;
- pituitary gland;
- thyroid;
- parathyroid glands;
- adrenal ones;
- the genitals.
Also, the kidneys and pancreas also secrete hormones. There is also the possibility that a gland synthesizes several substances, so as to regulate several functions of the body.
Although there is a lot of information about hormones, some are accessible only after specialized consultations, which are carried out by doctors specialized in endocrinology.
Many times, performance athletes or those passionate who have made physical activities a lifestyle are the ones who are most interested in hormones, as they are very important in increasing muscle mass, especially when they are associated with a special diet . Among them, veganism and keto are quite widespread.
When it comes to hormones, they can also interest you from the point of view of stress, many imbalances being caused by a less functional endocrinological system.
3. About hormones: Important aspects about these substances
Hormones are substances that are naturally secreted in the human body. However, they can also be replaced with synthetic ones when one of the components of the endocrine system does not work properly.
Why is the role of hormones in the body so important? Because when an organ does not work properly, the substance secreted by the endocrine glands goes and regulates it.
There are two scenarios in which the hormones do not fulfill their tasks:
- in the first, the glands do not secrete enough hormones;
- in the second, secret too many.
None of these scenarios is good, because the human body is based on a balance to which the endocrine system contributes to a large extent through its hormones. Moreover, their secretion is very precise, the human body knowing very well what it needs and how to regulate the mechanisms by which it receives the information it needs.
Just like other organs, the endocrine system can get sick, which can lead to certain dysfunctions. Another aspect that must be taken into account is that certain emotional states, as well as activities that overload the body can lead to such imbalances.
This is also the case with athletes who can face various problems when they stop making progress. For such knowledge, there are hormonal stimulators , which have several benefits, including on one of the most harmful factors that make people sick today: stress.
In order to know if you have an optimal state of health, in addition to the usual tests, you can also ask to check certain hormone values. They mostly depend on:
- your sex, because male and female bodies produce hormones in different amounts;
- lifestyle;
- genetic factors, certain conditions can be hereditary;
- age.
Also, imbalances can appear suddenly, especially in stressful situations or in those where you are taken by surprise.
3.1. What do hormones mean for the human body?
What do hormones mean for the human body? They function as small agents that go and "repair" the functions or organs that do not fulfill their roles.
It is very important to distinguish that while there are several types of hormones, not all of them are found in both men and women. Moreover, they will be found in different amounts in each organism.
Hormones have the role of regulating various imbalances in the body by themselves, without other interventions, but sometimes the endocrine system can also fail, which is the moment when you have to go to the doctor for a consultation and a set of tests.
There are several factors that can determine hormonal problems, nowadays diet is one of the biggest, especially in the case of children. The lack of exercise observed in both adults and minors is another cause that can lead to the functioning of the endocrine glands in less normal parameters, sports being recommended for both categories of people.
Thus, a correct diet combined with even moderate sports activity will help the correct functioning of the endocrine system and the hormones secreted by it. They can also be helped by various sources, such as proteins , antioxidants , collagen and even amino acids that are essential for optimal health.
There is also a classification of hormones, so that in order to make decisions favorable to a healthy lifestyle, you must know what to refer to.
3.2. Types of hormones
Due to its complexity, the endocrine system is very important for the human body, especially since it can synthesize over 50 hormones.
Here is a classification of hormones that you may have heard of more frequently:
- cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands and which plays a rather important role in reducing inflammation, as well as balancing water and sodium in the body;
- adrenaline, which is also produced by the adrenal glands and which is a mechanism for regulating breathing and tension in stressful situations;
- thyroid hormones that are produced by the gland with the same name, and their hypo or hyperproduction is more common in women who may suffer from various imbalances;
- estrogen is another hormone found in women and which is produced by the ovaries and which plays a very important role for the normal functioning of the reproductive system;
- in men, the testosterone produced in the testicles is responsible for sexual function and the normal development of the reproductive system;
- dopamine is another hormone that you may have heard of, it is produced by the pituitary gland and has the role of inhibiting the development of prolactin;
- prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary or pituitary gland and produces lactation in women who have given birth;
- melatonin is produced by the pineal gland or pineal gland, and its role is an essential one, namely ensuring quality sleep during the night;
- the insulin that is produced by the pancreas is responsible for maintaining blood sugar in normal parameters, its abnormal values being the main cause of diabetes.
Therefore, there are several types of hormones, and their classification can be done according to sex, the gland from which they are produced (especially since certain glands can release several substances that have a regulatory role in the body), as well as the periods of time in which they are synthesized, as is the case with pregnant women and those who have recently given birth and whose body must adapt to the new posture. Together, they make up the endocrine system which is vital in everything that means good functioning of the human body.
You can talk a lot about hormones, being a very complex subject, on the one hand because they flush out a person's endocrine system, and on the other hand because they themselves have very well established roles and "know" exactly what they have to do when they are released.
In conclusion, what do hormones mean? They are substances secreted by various glands, in some cases, and which have the very important role of regulating certain functions in the body. They form the endocrine system that releases them when they detect abnormal values in various organs of the body.
Although they work according to well-established mechanisms, there are also situations, caused by the human lifestyle, which can lead to breaking the balance of the endocrine system and to the installation of certain diseases. There are several types of hormones, and in order to have good health, canceled tests, sports and nutrition are the factors that can contribute to a person's well-being.
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