Hormones are hidden things everyone has throughout their body. The technical definition is that they’re chemical messengers sending out signals to different parts of your internal system. As a result, they play a vital role in achieving optimal health. When your hormone levels are well balanced, your body tends to be in a healthy position. Conversely, hormonal imbalances can lead to a host of long-term health problems.
We have loads of hormones – over 50 apparently – but which ones are the most important for optimal health and well-being? According to medical and anatomical experts, these are the key hormones to be most aware of throughout your life:
Cortisol – The Stress Hormone
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands on top of your kidneys. It’s more commonly known as the “stress hormone” as it encourages your body to begin a stress response. This is normally done as a natural reaction to stressful situations while your body is in its “fight or flight” mode. Your heart’s pumping and the adrenaline is flowing – this is when cortisol kicks in.
However, it’s possible to produce too much cortisol and experience chronic stress. Your blood pressure remains elevated and your body is constantly in a “stress response” mode. It’s not good for your health, so maintaining balanced cortisol levels can prevent this and help you find peace in everyday living.
T3 and T4 – Thyroid Hormones
Your thyroid hormones are some of the most underrated and underappreciated hormones in the body. T3 and T4 are produced by the thyroid gland and they’re responsible for:
- Regulating metabolism
- Regulating energy levels
- Regulating tissue growth
It’s not unheard of for people to see an imbalance of thyroid hormones – either producing too much or too little. This will lead to conditions called hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Both conditions are linked to issues with energy levels and metabolism. People with thyroid hormone issues are likely to struggle with weight gain as their metabolism isn’t working properly and their body is unable to burn calories like a “healthy” person.
If you struggle to lose weight despite doing everything associated with weight loss, it’s worth seeing a doctor about your thyroid just in case. You may discover a problem that’s been holding you back all this time.
Testosterone & Estrogen – The Main Sex Hormones
Testosterone is the main sex hormone in biological males while estrogen is the main sex hormone in biological females. Both play critical roles in the body that go beyond maintaining your sex drive and libido.
For men, testosterone is essential for building muscle mass and improving bone health. It also regulates your mood and contributes to general well-being. As men get older, their natural testosterone levels will dwindle. This can happen to some men from a very early age due to various factors. That’s why clinics like Male Excel provide testosterone replacement therapy services. These services are designed to help boost a man’s T-levels back to where they should be, leading to an increase in libido, better sexual health, more muscle mass, and a reduction in body fat.
While testosterone is present in women, it’s in much smaller amounts than men – hence women can’t build as much muscle as men. Estrogen is also present in both, but women have far more of it. This hormone is fundamental for regulating women’s sexual health and aiding things like menstrual cycles and mood. An estrogen imbalance could lead to serious health concerns like infertility and chronic mood disorders.
When men produce too much estrogen, they may see things like increased breast tissue while women with too much testosterone could see excessive hair growth. Maintaining the right balance is key for the human body to be healthy.
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Melatonin
You may already know about melatonin – it’s the main sleep hormone responsible for your sleep cycle. Good melatonin levels encourage you to have long hours of quality sleep every night. This gives your body the chance to rest and recover, preventing a host of health concerns.
A lack of melatonin leads to sleepless nights and can increase cortisol levels, creating more stress. That’s why you need to keep your melatonin levels at a healthy limit so your body gets all the recovery it needs. Things like bright lights are known to suppress this hormone, which is why you’re encouraged to switch all lights and screens off at least 30 minutes before going to bed.
Insulin
One final hormone to note is insulin. We all produce it via the pancreas and “healthy” individuals use it to regulate blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, when insulin production decreases, you can develop serious health problems like diabetes.
It’s impossible to learn about and be aware of the 50+ hormones in your body, but you can be aware of these five. Focus on achieving balanced hormone levels and you will remain healthy for as long as possible.
