Ever experienced a sudden mood swing? Or, have you been dealing with a lot of fatigue or sleepless nights? Your body undergoes many changes from birth to adolescence and into adulthood. Most of these changes, both physical and mental, are regulated by the hormones present in our body.
Hormones are the chemical messengers of our body. They travel through our bloodstream and hold the key to optimum health. In essence, they affect metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, growth and development and even our mood.
A better understanding of the hormones that influence our well-being and how to activate them will help us live better and healthier lives.
Let’s take a closer look!
1. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
We are quite familiar with this hormone nowadays! It is a pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine T4 and triiodothyronine T3, which stimulate the metabolism of almost every tissue in our body.
Abnormalities in this hormone can manifest as sudden weight gain, weight loss, dry skin, mood swings, severe sensitivity to cold or heat, depression with weak metabolism, and even an enlarged gland in the form of goiter.
The abnormalities in this hormone can be effectively managed with lifestyle modification, medication, yoga, exercises, and regular checkups of hormone. It has mainly two types: Hypo & Hyper. The Normal range is:
- TSH: 0.5 – 4.15 mU/L
- T4: 6 – 12 ug/dL
- T3: 240 – 280 ug/dL
2. Insulin
“Hey! I am on insulin!”
At some point, we have all heard this from a diabetic person. Insulin is released by the pancreas, a leaf-like gland situated in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach. It regulates the body’s glucose or sugar levels, which are derived from carbohydrates.
It also allows the body to store and utilize glucose for energy. When insulin is released into the bloodstream, it can cause either hyper or hypo glycemia.
Abnormalities in insulin levels can lead to weight gain or weight loss, frequent urination, constant hunger, fatigue, wounds taking longer to heal, etc. These changes are due to insulin either not being produced in sufficient quantity or not functioning properly.
The most effective treatment include lifestyle modifications, healthy eating habits, staying active, managing stress and medication. The referred range is:
- Random blood glucose: 70 – 100 mg/dl
- Fasting: 70 – 110 mg/dl
- After meals: <140 mg/dl
3. Cortisol (Stress Hormone)
There’s a fair chance that every second person you meet might be stressed! The stress hormone, called Cortisol, is produced by the adrenal gland. It helps us stay healthy and energetic. Its main role is to control physical and psychological stress.
Excess secretion of cortisol causes a number of side effects such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, sweating, and shivering. At stressful times, the body secretes cortisol to help cope with the situation. High level of cortisol consistently can lead to ulcers, high blood pressure, anxiety, high levels of cholesterol, etc.
Similarly, low levels of cortisol in the body causes weakness, fatigue and low blood pressure. This can be managed by sharing your feelings, meditating, pursuing hobbies, listening to music, spending time with family, going on vacations, prayers, and, if necessary, psychiatric treatment with medication.
4. Sex Hormones
This hormone are categorized into male and female hormones:
- Testosterone: This is the primary male sex hormone. An anabolic steroid by nature, it helps in building body muscles. In males, it plays an important role in the development of male reproductive tissues like the testes and prostate. It also promotes secondary sexual characteristics like increased muscle and bone mass, body hair growth, etc. If testosterone secretion is insufficient in men, then it may lead to abnormalities, including frailty and bone loss. This can be treated with medication.
- Progesterone: This hormone is produced in the ovaries, the placenta and the adrenal glands when a woman gets pregnant. It stimulates and regulates various functions. Progesterone plays an important role in maintaining pregnancy by helping the body prepare for conception, pregnancy and regulating the monthly cycle. When pregnancy doesn’t occur, progesterone levels drop, and menstrual cycle occurs. It also plays a role in sexual desire. Any abnormalities can be treated with home remedies and medication.
5. Serotonin
We all need this happy hormone during stressful days! It is associated with learning and memory, sleep regulation, digestion, mood regulation, some muscular functions, etc. An imbalance in this hormone may affect the brain’s ability to control stress levels and mood effectively.
Low level of serotonin can lead to depression, migraines, weight gain, insomnia, carbohydrate cravings, etc. Excess levels of serotonin in the body causes agitation, stage of confusion, sedation, etc.
After learning about the 5 hormones which are essential for good health, it is clear that the key to keeping them in balance is healthy eating, an active lifestyle, and good rest with meditation. Make sure to check with your doctor for any imbalances or irregularities in your hormones and take the necessary actions as suggested by your doctor. For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.
Do share your thoughts and queries in the comments below!
Be balanced! Be happy! #BeTheForce!
Surya Namaskar literally means Salutations to the Sun. It is a combination of 12 yoga asanas, where the body, mind, and soul are brought into complete synchrony. They are done in sets, some do 12, some 15, while some 30, depending on their endurance. Scientifically too, there are multiple benefits of Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar). Let’s explore them in detail!
