What Do Main Hormones in our Body Look Like and What Do They Do?
This would be the third part of the series ‘How Emotions Make Us Ill – Main Hormones in our Body’. Parts Two and One of the series are there for you to read.
Main Hormones in our Body – Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid hormones –Triiodothyronine (Т3) and Thyroxine (Т4) control the metabolism in our bodies. They regulate the body weight, determine the energy level, the inner body temperature, skin, hair, nails, eyelashes, eyebrows. They are secreted by the thyroid gland and are among the key hormones in our body. Sometimes T3 is produced by other tissues too, through de-iodization (enzymatic transformation of T4); it helps maintain muscle control, brain functions and development as well as cardiac and digestive functions. T3 and T4 are also essential for the development of the brain and the general physical development of babies
Physical aspects:
T3 and T4 for example regulate the heart rate and the rate at which intestines process the food. So, if T3 and T4 levels are low, the heart rate may be slower than normal and you may have constipation/weight gain. If T3 and T4 levels are high, your heart rate may be faster and you may suffer from diarrhea/weight loss.
What are the normal levels of those hormones?
Normal Т3 levels are in the range of 100-200 ng/dL, and T4 levels range between 5.0 and 12.0 μg/dL. The free T4 in your body should be within the range of 0.8-1.8 ng/dL.
What are the possible problems?
Thyroid gland problems can be caused by: iodine deficiency. Thyroid function disorders are among the so called ‘autoimmune disorders’, where, according to allopathic medicine, your immune system attacks your own body, which leads either to hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease) or to hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s disease). In Voll diagnostic, there is no such thing as ‘autoimmune disorders’. There is an underlying actual cause for each problem, and once the former is resolved, so is the latter.
How can you boost the levels of T3 and T4?
Taking enough zinc and selenium from food is essential. Zinc and selenium are two key minerals required for the transformation of T4 into Т3. In fact one of the chief enzymes responsible for this transformation relies on selenium for functioning! Avoid worrying. In emotional terms, serious worries compounded with feeling of shame and self-accusation lower T3 and T4 levels, whereas strong fear, coupled with panic, brings them up.
Insulin is among the key hormones in our body
Insulin – it is released by the pancreas and allows the body to use glucose from carbohydrates in the food and transform them into energy or store glucose for future needs. It helps maintain normal levels of blood sugar, avoiding hyper- or hypoglycemia. Insulin is an anabolic hormone which promotes assimilation of glucose, glycogenesis, lipogenesis and synthesis of proteins in skeletal muscles and adipose tissues along the path of the tyrosine kinase receptor.
What happens of insulin levels are high?
Excessive amounts of insulin can lead to serious health issues. High levels of insulin, known as hyperinsulinemia, are associated with obesity, heart conditions and cancer. High insulin levels in blood also make your cells resistant to the effects of the hormone.
What are the symptoms of high insulin levels?
The following could be signs of high levels of insulin in the blood:
Frequent and intense hunger.
Excessive appetite for sugar.
Weight gain, especially around the waist, causing an apple-like shape.
Fatigue.
Lack of motivation or focus.
Anxiety and panic.
What is the normal level of insulin?
Reference range: (Level of insulin (SI * units)
At empty stomach <25 mIU/L <174 pmol/L
30 minutes after glucose administration: 30-230 mIU/L 208-1597 pmol/L
1 hour after glucose administration: 18-276 mIU/L 125-1917 pmol/L
2 hours after glucose administration: 16-166 mIU/L 111-1153 pmol/L
What types of food reduce insulin levels?
Avocado may help maintain low levels of insulin and blood sugar. Oftentimes the foods that maintain low level of blood sugar are also foods that would help keep low levels of insulin. Types of food that help maintain low levels of blood sugar: avocado, banana, blueberries, cinnamon, garlic, bee honey, peanut butter, soaked oatmeal.
On the emotional aspect, anxiety and panic lower the secretion of natural insulin, hence the possibility for higher blood sugar. Laughter and laughter therapy highly promote the secretion of natural insulin and respectively lower blood sugar levels. Research involving persons with diabetes shows that 15 minutes of genuine laughter a day not just normalizes their insulin values but also stimulates the body to produce its own natural analgesics as well as sex hormones at normal levels.
Estrogen
Estrogen (Estradiol) – female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. It is responsible for reproductive functions, menstruation and menopause. At the beginning of puberty estrogen plays a role in the development of the so called secondary sex characteristics such as breasts, broader hips, pubic and armpit hair. Estrogen also helps regulate menstrual cycle controlling the growth of the endometrium in the first part of the cycle.
What are the benefits of estrogen?
Estrogen alleviates menopausal symptoms such as dryness, itchiness, burning sensation and discomfort during sexual intercourse. An important aspect is prevention of bone mass loss or fractures. Systemic estrogen helps prevent loss of bone density called osteoporosis.
What happens when estrogen levels are high?
High levels of estrogen can expose you to a higher risk of blood clots and brain stroke. Excessive estrogen may increase the risks of thyroid gland dysfunctions. This may lead to symptoms such as fatigue and weight change. High estrogen levels in women may also increase the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer or depression.
What happens when estrogen levels are low?
Estrogen deficiency can lead to lowered serotonin which may cause mood swings or depression. Lower estrogen levels are associated with more urinary tract infections due to thinning of the tissue of the urethra. The most common symptoms include acne, thinning of the skin, hair loss etc.
What is the normal estrogen level in women?
Normal levels of estrogen in women depend on factors such as age, pregnancy and phases of the menstrual cycle. In grown-up regularly menstruating women (premenopausal women), normal levels of estradiol (the biologically most active estrogenic hormone) are between 15 and 350 pg/ml). The normal ranges for estrogen are: 30-400 pg/ml for premenopausal women, 0-30 pg/ml for postmenopausal women, and 10 to 50 pg/ml for men (picogram per milliliter).
What foods are rich in estrogen?
Foods rich in estrogen include: Tofu. Tofu is made from soy milk which is with high content of phytoestrogens, more specifically isoflavones. Linseed. Linseed contains lignans which are a type of phytoestrogens. Sesame. Soy. Humus (chickpeas). Garlic. Dried fruit.
On the emotional aspect, characteristic of both high and low levels of estrogen are depressions, reduced ability to enjoy life or general loss of interest, apathy and inactivity. Physical exercise combined with enjoyable music helps improve the levels of estrogen, as do all kinds of joy or euphoria. You may not feel quite joyful yet the absence of laughter and fun can only make things worse.
Progesterone
Progesterone is produced in the ovaries, the placenta (during pregnancy) and the adrenal glands. It stimulates and regulates various functions. It has a key role in pregnancy; helps the body get ready for conception and regulates the menstrual cycle. When no pregnancy occurs, the levels of progesterone fall and menstruation starts. Progesterone is a major hormone in the female sex drive. It can also take part in the growth of some types of cancer.
What are the benefits of progesterone?
The benefits of intake of naturally occurring progesterone may include: protection of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), prevention of uterine cancer, maintaining the levels of HDL cholesterol (also known as ‘good’ cholesterol), alleviation of symptoms of menopause such as mood swings, alleviation of unfavorable side effects of synthetic hormones.
Progesterone is known for its calming effect with respect to the mood and sleep, influencing the libido and promoting bones. The balance between progesterone and estrogen is the key to good health. During reproductive years progesterone stimulates the endometrium to grow and get ready for a possible pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of low progesterone?
Weight gain, reduced sex drive, mood swings and depression.
Premenstrual syndrome, irregular menstrual cycle, heavy menstrual bleeding.
Tender/sore breasts, fibrocystic breasts.
Uterine fibroids, gallbladder problems.
What are the signs of high progesterone?
Low libido. Depression. Nervousness. Mood swings. Sudden weight gain. Urinary tract infections. Fatigue. Muscle weakness.
What are the kinds of food that help maintain normal levels of progesterone?
Beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, nuts, pumpkin. Food rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Eat daily food rich in vitamins B and C as the body does not store those vitamins and they are essential for reducing estrogen to balance progesterone.
In terms of emotions progesterone can be quite responsible for bad mood as well as for the ‘headache’ which is rather severe apathy. Walks outdoors combined with activities that bring fun and enjoyment help improve progesterone levels. Go out on a picnic or to a river and do some wading; find a companion who makes you laugh. Have in mind that all female sex hormones are very much influenced by laughter and joy. Treat yourself to a good laugh; if this is not an easy task – pick funny books or go to funny shows, circus etc. You as a being are more meant to be merry and laugh than to be serious and settle for the leftovers of somebody else’s live. Each day without a smile is a loss which may render you less healthy, making you part with more than you are willing to give away.
Part Four (last part) of “How Emotions Make Us Ill – Main Hormones in our Body” is forthcoming – testosterone, serotonin, cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, etc.
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