10 Key Hormones Running Your Life!
They are running the show.
Research is accumulating rapidly about the importance of hormonal health and how these vital chemical messengers are deeply affected by our diet, lifestyle and environment. In fact, over 50 hormones have been identified in humans and other vertebrates.
As ladies we are well aware of the fluctuations of our fertility hormones during our monthly cycle. However our intricate endocrine system produces many other key hormones which also influence your life immensely.
10 key hormones to know and respect.
Estrogen (fertility). Estrogen is one of the most important female hormones which not only controls our development as women (breasts, hips, butt, curves) it also impacts our mood, supports memory, increases our libido, metabolism and insulin sensitivity. It is produced in our ovaries. There are three main forms - estrodial being the most beneficial type which keeps us sensual, sexual, lean and vital in our younger years. However as we age, estrone (produced mainly in our fat cells) becomes the dominant form which is why we experience weight gain as we age and estrodial decreases. The body attempts to keep as much estrogen in the system as it can, which is why it ends up holding on to fat (estrone).
Progesterone (fertility). Progesterone is the teammate to estrogen and helps balance it out. It gets released when our follicles bursts and releases and egg each month. It helps us feel relaxed and calm which prevents anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. Progesterone is deeply connected to our adrenals and testosterone as well. So it is sensitive to stress. It’s the first hormone to decline during perimenopause which can cause cravings, headaches, insomnia and emotions to run wild.
Testosterone (sex drive and motivation). While testosterone is known as the male hormone, women also create it in their ovaries and adrenal glands. It’s main purpose in women is to increase our energy, boost our libido, build lean muscle mass, strength and keep our bones strong. As we age, our levels decline and can cause our motivation to slip and allow ourselves to get flabby and lose muscle, not to mention any interest in sex at all. Problems arise for women when there is too much testosterone produced which can lead to PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) a condition which can cause acne, body and facial hair, baldness, muscle mass and lowering of the voice.
Insulin (regulates blood sugar). You can think of insulin as your main blood body guard. This hormone is created in the pancreas and released into the blood any time sugar hits your system. This includes refined grains and processed carbs which all turn into glucose, a form of sugar, when they are ingested into the body. It’s main responsibility is to remove sugar (glucose) from the blood and find a place for it. It can either use it for energy, take it to the liver or muscles to store it, or take it directs it directly into your fat cells for storage. Problems arise when our insulin hormone gets overworked. it can either work too efficiently (taking too much glucose out of the blood at once causing you to feel hungry or crave more carbs or sugar) or it overcompensates and all cells start to ignore it’s signals and attempts which is called insulin resisitence). Insulin resistence then most often than not leads to Type 2 Diabetes.
Cortisol (regulates stress). I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about cortisol lately as people’s stress levels over the last years are through the roof. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that helps our body’s respond to outside stress as well as perceived stress. It is produced in the adrenal glands and deposited in the blood when receptors all over the body get triggered whether it is physical or emotional. Cortisol increases your appetite and energy and suppresses your immune system. It basically perks up the body to respond. Problems arise when it constantly gets triggered and overworked. It can then lead to weight gain, muscle wasting, thinning of the skin, decreased ability to absorb protein or minerals and opens your system up to all sorts of viruses and bugs.
Adrenaline (regulates stress). Our adrenal glands produce three hormones that help us respond to stress - cortisol, DHEA and Norepinephrine better know as adrenaline. This is the fight, flight or freeze hormone. It gives you a burst of energy when feeling threatened. Blood rushes to your extremities, heart pounds and your mind becomes razor sharp. It basically prepares us for battle or to run from the lion. This can be responsible with some of the high blood pressure and stomach issues associated with stress. Problems arise when these short bursts are called upon too much by stressful jobs, lack of sleep, pushing your body when it is fatigued. Overuse leads to worn out adrenals which then can’t adequately protect us from stress or life-threatening siutations.
Thyroid (regulates metabolism). The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the middle of our neck. It produces and transforms hormones which control oxygen absorption, your heart rate, body temperature, digestion, fertility, memory, mood and even how your body burns calories. It’s biggest magic show is converting T4 into T3 which controls and monitors your metabolism. When it gets thrown off it causes a chain reaction throughout the body. It can lead to hypothyroidism (low energy), hyperthyroidism (overactive gland) and a series of other conditions.
DHEA (contributes to metabolism). It’s official name is dehydroepiandrosterone and is produced by your adrenals and the ovaries. This hormone works to neutralize cortisol levels and its’ immune suppressing affects and helps build muscle and a stronger cardiovascular system. It also provides energy and vitality, keeps our mind sharp and aids in our recovery from a stressful situation. As we age, this important hormone declines taking with it our libido, muscle mass, bone strength and can contribute to weight gain.
Leptin (regulates satiety). Leptin is produced in our fat cells and works with other hormones like cortisol, insulin and thyroid to help your body figure out how hungry it is, how fast it will burn off the food you eat and if it will hang on to (or let go of) weight. Leptin switches off neuropeptide Y which turns on the appetite and messages the body to stop being hungry and start burning calories. It easily gets thrown off because of stress and eating too much sugar.
Ghrelin (regulates hunger). Ghrelin is the teammate of Leptin and when balanced they do a good job of controlling hunger and satiety. Ghrelin is the hunger hormone produced in the stomach, duodenum and upper intestine when it is empty to signal you to give the body nutrients. When you eat, the levels of ghrelin go down and leptin (satiety) goes up. We get into trouble when ghrelin starts triggering the reward systems and cravings ensue or if we emotional eat, or restrict calories too much, then the natural flow becomes off and it starts sending the wrong signals.
These are only 8 of 50 different hormones communicating to all different parts of your body every second of every day. You can see how interwoven they are and how a problem with one, can cause cascading issues with the other.
Caring and communicating with your hormones.
The good news is most hormonal issues can brought back into balance with lots of good sleep, quality nutrient-dense foods, toning down alcohol and sugar consumption, exercise and practicing stress relieving techniques such as meditation, yoga, Tai Chi or breathing exercises.
Getting to know these hormones and recognizing when they may be off is the first step.
Look over these 8 key hormones again and write down a number for each one on a scale from 1 to 10. One being way off, 10 being balanced and in good shape.
See if you can pinpoint what might be causing each hormone to earn its number? What are you experiencing? Symptoms?
Then write down some simple steps you can take in the next few weeks to help your hormones out. Start small but stay consistent. What is the most helpful action step you can take first? Perhaps cutting down drinking? Maybe it’s getting more sleep? Getting yourself to a yoga class?
Whatever feels right is going to be right for you. Believe in your intuition. This journey to hormonal health is supposed to be exciting, educational and ultimately lead you to feeling better and more like yourself. If you’d like help on your health journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help.
