Hormone Health
Hormones are chemical messengers that carry signals from one part of the body to another, controlling and influencing fertility, growth and development, metabolism, immune system, gut health, and mood. Hormones are specific, meaning they target specific organs or tissues and exert their effects by binding to specific receptors on target cells. They are essential for coordinating various physiological functions, allowing different parts of the body to communicate and work together effectively.
The endocrine system connects to the nervous system via the hypothalamus, a structure deep within the brain which translates synapses into the release of hormones that deliver the message to the rest of the body. Temperature regulation, sex drive, blood sugar, blood pressure, and energy levels are all directly governed by hormone levels. The most well-known are sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, however familiar names like progesterone, androgen, cortisol, and cholesterol are also hormones.
Hormone health significantly impacts our overall well-being, with hormonal imbalances linked to a variety of health issues — as one example, abnormal thyroid levels can lead to unexplained weight loss (hyperthyroidism) or weight gain (hypothyroidism).
People should care about their hormone health even if they are not concerned about infertility, menopause, or age-related changes. Supporting foundational hormone health includes eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise — and for some, hormone replacement therapy may be beneficial to reach and maintain normal levels. Hormonal balance can affect many aspects of health and performance and contributes significantly to quality of life.
