How does your body perform the functions of laughing in stressful situations or perhaps the restlessness of your leg when you’re anxious? How does the body know what to digest and what to excrete? Is it just the measuring tape that signals growth or there is more to that story? Of Course there is, and its key players are called hormones.
What exactly are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers of your body. They’re as important for the functioning of your body as the usb cable is for your phone.
For your health to stay at its optimum level, these little packets of chemicals are required to communicate efficiently. This link of communication starts with the brain- the nervous system- and is provided by your hormones- the neuroendocrine system.
Hormones are molecules carrying messages. They’re secreted from glands as and when required for the functioning of your organs. For instance, there are glands in your ovaries as well as your kidneys that secrete hormones all forming a part of the endocrine system.
Endocrine as a word means ‘secreting internally and specifically’ which implies that hormones are secreted as a response to some stimuli. These stimuli could be from your immune system, the brain, your environment, the food you eat- and vice versa.
Like different phones have different usb types, not all hormones are the same. Some have very limited target cells and some affect a wide array of cells.
The Hormone Network
Following makes up the major hormone producing glands of the endocrine system:
Hypothalamus
Residing in the centre of the lower part of the brain, the glands in hypothalamus secrete hormones as a response to the information that the brain takes from its environment. These chemical molecules are then communicated to the pituitary gland.
Pituitary
The pituitary gland is located in a tiny place at the base of your brain. Putting the pea in pituitary, the gland might be tiny but is usually referred to as the ‘master gland’ for its control over the other glands and their functions. The pituitary is responsible for triggering and handing out jobs to the other glands of the endocrine system depending on the messages that it receives from the hypothalamus
Thyroid
Like a bowtie, thyroid secretes majorly two hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) wherein the former is converted to T3 in the liver. Thyroid hormones work to serve the metabolism of your cells i.e. how efficiently the cells produce energy.
Parathyroid
A group of 4 thyroid fans are attached to the thyroid gland that secrete hormones that allow for the movement of muscles in the body and effective signal connection amongst cells of your body.
Adrenal
This gland is like a cap atop your two kidneys each of which secretes hormones related to stress, your immune system, etc.
Pineal
Now that the brain has signalled movement, metabolism, fight and flight responses, the pineal gland secretes melatonin- the hormones related to sleep patterns and its influence.
Reproductive glands
These are the glands located in your ovaries, testicles (for men) and are responsible for the secretion of major sex hormones.
Pancreas
Located in the abdomen, your pancreas produces digestive enzymes (a response for the needs of your gut or vice-versa) and secretes insulin and glucagon as a regulator of blood sugar levels.
Functions and more...
Now that the main characters are introduced, let’s dive deeper into why exactly are they important-what hormones do these glands secrete, its functions and why should you care.