Hormones Shape Your Body and Mind

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Hormones communicate directly with glands, organs and target tissues, such as the thyroid, pancreas and muscles. For example, insulin is released by your pancreas works tirelessly to process glucose in your muscles and liver for optimal metabolism.

Understanding how hormones work is essential. Hormones have the power to shape your body and mind but communication is key. Endocrine glands release hormones into your bloodstream.

Hormones are produced by specialized glands in the endocrine system and released into your bloodstream. Some hormones affect all cells while others only affect specific receptor cells. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are special glands that connect the nervous and endocrine systems. Some organs have both endocrine and non-endocrine regions.

Hormones Affect Weight Maintenance

Hormone testing assists in identifying any imbalances in thyroid, reproductive, and stress hormones, which can affect weight maintenance. Discussed below are hormones that can aid or hinder weight control, such as:

Estrogen: During puberty, estrogen is responsible for characteristic changes in women, like the widening of hips, breast development, and the growth of pubic hair. It's truly a powerhouse hormone that regulates menstruation, reproduction, and libido.

Testosterone: It is important to take note that hormonal imbalances aren't exclusive to women. Men experience fluctuations in their testosterone levels throughout the day. Testosterone production typically peaking in the morning and declines during the day.

Progesterone: Progesterone can both stimulate the deposition of body fat and increase the metabolism of stored fat by helping your body burn fat as energy. Moreover, progesterone acts as a natural diuretic and reduces water weight and tissue swelling.

Insulin: High blood sugar levels can harm healthy cells, which means it is crucial for your body to produce and release insulin to control glucose levels. When released from the pancreas, insulin helps decrease blood glucose concentration as long as you do not suffer from insulin resistance.

Cortisol: High cortisol levels cause fat to be stored in the abdomen, leading to what's often referred to as cortisol belly fat. To combat an adrenal belly, it's important to better manage stress and make healthier lifestyle choices.

Thyroid Hormone: If you are struggling with weight gain and constantly feel fatigued, your thyroid gland may not be producing enough hormone. This small but mighty gland located in your neck produces crucial thyroxin that regulate your metabolism and can wreak havoc on your weight control.

Although you would like to believe you have complete control over your body, it's important to remember that hormones can play a significant role in your physical and emotional health. Understanding hormones like testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, insulin, human growth hormone, serotonin, and melatonin is essential for taking care of your health and wellness.

At MRC, we understand the importance of hormone balance for your well-being. We work closely with you to test your blood levels and identify deficiencies. Based on the results, we can create a personalized plan that may include hormone therapy, lifestyle changes, and optimizing your adrenal and thyroid function.