What are hormones?
When we’re not feeling ‘tip top’, people may wonder whether it’s their hormones that could be a bit off balance or ‘out of kilter’ without really understanding much about them, what they do, and how they work. Over the next three weeks we are going to attempt to broadly explore the topic of hormones from a health and wellbeing prospective.
Hormones are important chemical signalling molecules responsible for a plethora of behavioural and physiological events in our body. One thing’s for sure is that we can’t live without them! They form a vital part of our chemical communication system allowing different areas of our body, including our organs and tissues, to relay complex critical messages to keep our body functioning effectively every day.
Hormones are secreted from various glands around the body, and travel via the bloodstream to target organs. All hormones and their relevant secretory glands make up what is known as your endocrine system.
Types of hormones
Hormones are in effect chemical messengers, and there are many different types. Each has a unique molecular structure and can be made up of different substances: they can be protein-based, e.g., adrenaline and prolactin, or steroid-based, e.g., oestrogen, testosterone, and cortisol. The unique structure of each hormone type will determine which tissue or cell it targets by being a specific shape that fits onto a specific cell receptor, rather like a lock and key. Once the hormone hits its target organ, it will initiate a distinctive set of biological functions.
Common hormones that regulate our body processes
- Insulin – regulates blood glucose levels
- Serotonin – regulates mood, appetite, digestion
- Melatonin – regulates sleep-wake cycle
- Adrenaline and cortisol – stress hormones
- Oestrogen and progesterone – female sex hormones
- Testosterone – in males initiates the development of reproductive organs and production of sperm
- Prolactin – hormone of lactation
- Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine – responsible for metabolism, energy levels, internal temperature, hair and nail growth.
The interconnectivity of hormonal systems
As so many processes in our body are stimulated, inhibited, and regulated by hormones, the feedback loops for each hormone are often interlinked with others. Hormone feedback loops can either be positive or negative.
When hormone levels are disrupted, this can often lead to a wide variety of irritating symptoms, depending on the hormones involved. Both underproduction and overproduction of hormones can lead to unwanted symptoms. As our bodies are constantly being exposed to different stimuli, both external and internal, this means that our hormones and their feedback loops are in constant fluctuation in order to maintain balance in our bodies. A small amount of fluctuation is normal, but large fluctuations can be problematic.
