Hormones are chemical substances inside your body, which coordinate their activities and growth. There are special tissues inside your body which secrete these hormones through your endocrine glands. Different hormones perform different purposes in your body, and they play a big part in determining the state of your body. Some hormones will act quickly to initiate or stop a process, while others work continuously to perform certain functions.
Hormones help your body to; grow, develop, metabolize, reproduce, among other tasks. For hormones to function optimally, they should be released in adequate amounts. Here is a list of some of the most important hormones and what they do in your body.
1. Human Growth Hormone
The HGH- human growth hormone, is also called somatotropin hormones. It is a protein hormone that has 190 amino acids that are synthesized and produced by the anterior pituitary’s somatotrophs. This hormone is among the most important; because it is responsible for growth, cell regeneration, cell reproduction, and metabolism inside your body. For human development to occur, this hormone is crucial. Visit https://hghclinicaustin.com/ to learn more.
2. Thyroid hormones
The thyroid gland generally releases Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) hormones. These hormones regulate your body’s metabolism. Apart from that, they also regulate; your weight, your internal body temperature, and your energy levels.
3. Estrogen
Estrogen is a sex hormone in females, which the ovaries release. Its responsibility is reproduction, menopause, and menstruation. When released in the right amounts, it ensures that your reproductive system is healthy and that your cycles are regular. Too much estrogen in your body may increase your susceptibility to depression, breast cancer, moodiness, and uterine cancer. Low estrogen levels are detrimental, also, as they may lead to skin lesions, thinning hair, acne, and hair loss.
4. Progesterone
This hormone is made inside the ovaries, in the placenta when you are pregnant, and by the adrenal glands. Progesterone regulates and stimulates various body functions. The hormone plays a vital role in maintaining your pregnancy. Progesterone helps your body to get ready for conception and pregnancy, as well as regulating your menstrual cycle. When you don’t become pregnant, the hormone levels fall, therefore enabling menstruation. Progesterone also determines your sexual desire.
5. Testosterone
This is the primary sex hormone in males, and it is also an anabolic steroid. The hormone enables the development of reproductive tissues in your testes and prostate. Additionally, testosterone promotes secondary sexual characteristics like; increased bone and muscle mass. It is responsible for the growth of your body hair, such as pubic hair. Testosterone is generally responsible for your health and well-being, and it prevents osteoporosis. Low testosterone production in a male body, may cause bone frailty and other abnormalities.
6. Adrenaline
Adrenaline is secreted in the adrenal gland’s medulla as well as the CNS’s neurons. This hormone is popularly known as the emergency hormone, as it initiates quick reactions that enable you to respond fast to stressful situations. Adrenalin increases your metabolic rates and dilation of blood vessels to and from the heart and brain. When you are faced with stress, adrenaline is immediately released into your bloodstream, sending impulses to various organs that enable them to respond in a particular way.
7. Serotonin
Whenever you are in a good mood, the hormone serotonin is probably responsible. The hormone is a natural feel-good chemical that has a mood-boosting effect on your body. This hormone is also associated with your learning and memory. It regulates your sleep, digestion, mood, and particular muscular functions. Serotonin levels in your brain are imbalanced because the brain does not produce enough to control stress or mood in the body. Low serotonin levels may result in depression, insomnia, weight gain, migraines, and carbohydrate-cravings. Excessive serotonin may cause confusion, sedation, and agitation in your body.
8. Insulin
This peptide hormone is produced by the beta cells found in the pancreatic islets. It is considered to be the body’s primary anabolic hormone. It regulates metabolism in the body by promoting the absorption of carbs, especially glucose. Glucose is then absorbed into skeletal muscle, fat, and liver cells from your blood. Absorbed glucose is converted into glycogen or fats in these tissues.
Production and secretion of glucose in the liver are severely inhibited by high insulin in the blood. Moreover, circulating insulin regulates protein-synthesis in various tissues. Low insulin levels in your body are dangerous because they cause widespread catabolism.
You are now knowledgeable about the essential hormones inside your body and what their functions are.