Hormones: What are they, Functions, and types

Hormones are one of the most crucial parts of your body. You might not think about them often, but hormones are essential to the proper functioning of your body. They help regulate many of your body’s processes, including growth, body composition, mood, energy via metabolism, and reproduction to name a few. In this article, we'll take a look at what hormones are, how they work in your body and some of the important roles they play.

What are hormones?

Hormones are chemical messengers that coordinate complex biological processes throughout the body. They are produced by endocrine glands or specialized cells and released into the bloodstream, where they travel to target tissues or organs in another location in the body. Once there, they are received at a hormone uptake site to be properly used as they provide instructions to the body on how to function.

There are a few different types of hormones and each type of hormone works differently. Protein hormones, for example, bind to receptors on the cell surface and activate second messenger systems that alter cellular function. Key hormones then diffuse through the cell membrane and bind to specific receptors in the nucleus that then affect gene expression. It is absolutely imperative that you support hormone function as you age to ensure proper gene expression. If gene expression changes in any given cell or tissue, you’ll likely notice the effects within your body and identify it as aging.

The functions of hormones

Hormones control and affect many of the functions of the human body. Specific hormones are associated with specific functions. Some main functions of the hormones are enlisted below.

• Growth and development

• Emotions

• Mood

• Sleep

• Maintaining normal metabolism

• Sexual maturation

• Reproduction

How long it takes for hormones to perform their functions:

Unlike many other chemical messengers, the hormone's signals are not typically fast. Depending upon the nature of a specific hormone it can take hours to days or even months to years to perform its function. Growth hormones are the slowest hormone while hormones included in fight or flight conditions are often regarded as the fastest hormones.

Which body tissues can make hormones?

The body contains many different types of glands and tissues, each of which has the ability to produce hormones. The most common types of hormone-producing tissues are the endocrine glands, which include the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands. The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland is known as the master gland and the hypothalamus(a part of the forebrain) is called the master control center of the endocrine system.

Besides the endocrine system other types of tissues, such as the liver, pancreas, and ovaries, also produce hormones. Supporting you’re overall, daily hormone production is the key to addressing aging in the most effective way.

The different types of hormones

There are many different types of hormones in the body, each with a specific function. Hormones can be grouped into 4 main categories:

1. Human Growth Hormone (HGH): This hormone helps to regulate body composition, body fluids, muscle and bone growth, sugar and fat metabolism, and heart function. This hormone is secreted by pituitary gland.

2. Peptide hormones: These are hormones made up of amino acids, and they include insulin (which regulates blood sugar levels) and glucagon (which raises blood sugar levels). These hormones are secreted by the pancreas.

3. Steroid hormones: These are hormones that are derived from cholesterol, and they include testosterone (which promotes muscle growth) and estrogen (which regulates the menstrual cycle). Testosterone is produced by the testes and estrogen is primarily secreted by ovaries.

4. Glycoprotein hormones: Glycoprotein hormones are made up of carbohydrates and proteins and include luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Both of these hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary

5. Protein hormones: Protein hormones are made from individual proteins and include thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and vasopressin Thyroid hormones are secreted by the thyroid gland which has got a major role in the growth of the human body. Prolactin and vasopressin are the main hormones released by the posterior pituitary.

6. Each type of hormone has a different function in the body, and all are necessary for maintaining health.

What do hormones do in the body?

Hormones are responsible for everything that goes on in your body. They regulate everything from your mood and energy levels to your metabolism and reproduction. Basically, if something is happening in your body, there’s a good chance that hormones are involved. You can see why it is so important to support your endocrine system, the system in charge or hormone production and utilization.

So what do hormones actually do? Hormones are chemicals that send signals throughout your body. They tell your cells what to do and when to do it. For example, the hormone insulin tells your cells to take in sugar from your blood. The hormone testosterone tells your cells to make new proteins.

Hormones are important because they help your body function properly. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to grow, reproduce, or even keep yourself alive.

Hormonal imbalances and conditions

There are many different hormones in the body, and each has a specific function. hormone levels can become imbalanced for a variety of reasons, including stress, diet, medications, and illness. When hormone levels are off, it can lead to a variety of conditions and symptoms.

Some common hormonal imbalances include:

• thyroid disorders

• adrenal gland disorders

• pituitary gland disorders

• menopause or perimenopause

• polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

• hirsutism (excessive hair growth)

• acne

• endometriosis

If you think you may be experiencing any of these conditions, it's important to talk to your doctor. They can order tests to check your hormone levels and develop a treatment plan that's right for you.

What causes hormonal imbalances?

There can be many different causes of hormonal imbalances. Sometimes it can be due to something as simple as a change in diet or stress levels. Other times, it can be due to more serious conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid problems.

What challenges are caused by hormone issues?

There are a variety of conditions that can be caused by hormone issues that you may experience as you age. Some of the more common ones include:

• Weight gain or loss

• Fatigue

• Muscle weakness

• Irritability

• Mood swings

• Poor sleep

• Skin problems

Conclusion

As THE Hormone Health Company TM New U Life is dedicated to creating solutions for hormone health challenges. All of our products are meticulously designed to address hormone balance for you, daily! It's important to remember that hormones play a vital role in our bodies, and imbalances can lead to serious health consequences. If you think you might have a hormone imbalance, please contact your doctor. At New U Life^®, we have created solutions to help support your hormones. And with proper support, you can get your hormones back into balance and enjoy good health once again.