What Are Hormones?
On the word “Hormone."
You may have heard the word “hormone” many times, whether that be on social media, from your doctor, or from a friend, but what does it even mean? The word hormone has Ancient Greek origins, with the word ὁρμῶν or hormon meaning “to set in motion.” Hormones are a group of chemical signals in our bodies that instruct organs on how to function, what actions to take, and what is happening. For example, when you are scared, your brain may send a signal to your adrenal glands to secrete the hormone adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormone. Alternatively, your brain may secrete its own set of hormones. Hormones such as oxytocin, the “love” hormone, are secreted by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Oxytocin is responsible for regulating mood and emotion, characteristic of childbirth or even a simple hug from a loved one.
Why should we care about our hormones?
Since our hormones regulate practically every aspect of our body, from our metabolism to our thoughts and feelings, hormonal dysregulation is associated with many symptoms that can be very difficult to manage. Acne, weight gain, insulin resistance, and poor sleep quality are all examples of hormonal dysregulation. Because of this, it is incredibly important to keep our hormones happy.
What are some diseases associated with hormonal dysregulation/dysfunction?
The most common hormone-related disease is Diabetes. Diabetes has different types, but it is generally associated with dysregulation of the hormone Insulin. Insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas whenever we eat. Its job is to facilitate the entry of glucose, or sugar, into our cells. When this facilitation is disrupted, our cells do not get an adequate amount of glucose required to maintain their metabolic requirements. Other hormone-related diseases include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Cushing’s disease, and hyper/hypothyroidism, which involve the hormones testosterone, cortisol, and T3/T4 (tri/tetraiodothyronine), and more.
Understanding the hormones that govern our biology is the first step on our path to leading a hormone-healthy life. In the following blog posts, we will go more in-depth on each type of hormone, detailing what they do, when they are important, and the diseases associated with them.
On the cover image: Hermes, the Greek messenger of the gods, is commonly associated with endocrinology.
