“Hormones in Dairy, Meat” by DES Daughter is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Hormones
Hormones are tiny chemical messengers that travel in your blood and tell different parts of your body what to do and when to do it. They help coordinate everything from growth and energy levels to mood, sleep, and reproduction.
What hormones are
Hormones are made by special organs and glands (like the thyroid, ovaries/testes, pancreas, and adrenal glands) and released into the bloodstream. Each hormone “fits” only certain cells, a bit like a key in a lock, so it can deliver a specific message to that cell.
What hormones do
Hormones help control growth, metabolism (how the body uses food for energy), blood sugar, blood pressure, sleep cycles, stress responses, and the reproductive cycle. Because of this, changes in hormone levels can affect weight, energy, mood, sex drive, periods, and how the body copes with stress.
Key examples in everyday terms
Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into cells to be used as energy.
Thyroid hormones help set your “speed” – how fast you burn energy, your temperature, and your general energy level.
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone shape puberty, fertility, and many aspects of sexual health and body characteristics.
Cortisol helps the body respond to stress and also influences blood pressure and metabolism.
Growth hormone supports growth in children and helps with tissue repair and metabolism throughout life.
Balance and imbalance
The body normally keeps hormone levels in balance using feedback loops, like a thermostat turning heating on and off. If there is too much or too little of a hormone for a long time, it can lead to health problems such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, fertility issues, or bone problems.
Appendix: Additional notes
0 Comments