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Hormone Function -- a Brief Description
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Cortisol – (stress hormone)
- Increases during stress, also with aging.
- Reduced inflammatory response; impairs immune function
- Associated with diabetes, osteoporosis, memory loss and Alzheimer’s.
DHEA
- Energizes
- Enhances libido
- Restores memory
- Rejuvenates the immune system
- Tames stress
- Fights cancer
- Prevents heart disease
- Reduces body & fat
- Therapy for menopause
- Helps erase fine wrinkles
- Helps dry eye
- New hope for lupus suffers
- Heals burns
- Increases testosterone levels
Estrogen
- Relieves menopausal symptoms
- Protects against heart disease
- Restores sexual function
- Sharpens thinking
- Enhances mood
- May prevent Alzheimer’s disease
- Prevents osteoporosis
- Reduces risk of colon cancer
- Prevents tooth loss
- Improves skin quality
Glucagon
- Reverses the action of insulin
The
Gonadotropins
- FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
is a gonadotropin produced by the pituitary and is released under the
control of the hypothalamus. FSH is also required for the testicular growth
and spermatogenesis. In the female, FSH stimulates follicular (ovum/egg)
growth of the ovary and prepares ovarian follicles for action by luteinizing
hormone (LH), and enhances the LH-induced ovarian release of estrogen. After
menopause, decreased ovarian estradiol secretion results in increased FSH
and LH levels. Primary testicular failure also results in increased FSH and
LH levels.
In the male, FSH
secretion is regulated by inhibin, a peptide hormone produced by Sertoli cells
from the testes, and also by circulating testosterone feedback inhibition on
the pituitary and the hypothalamus.
- LH (luteinizing hormone) is another
gonadotropin produced by the pituitary, and is also released under the
control of the hypothalamus. Production is regulated by hypothalamic
gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and feedback by gonadal steroid
hormones, as is FSH. In the female, LH stimulates ovarian steroid hormone
production (estrogen and progesterone).
LH concentrations are
low during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, rise to a midcycle
peak to cause ovulation, and following ovulation, fall to levels lower than
during the follicular phase. After menopause, LH concentrations rise to levels
as high or higher than those found in the midcycle peak; similar high levels
are seen in castrated men.
In the male, LH
stimulates androgen production by the testicular Leydig cells. The testes
require the androgen, testosterone, to maintain the process of
spermatogenesis, and the accessory organs are dependent on androgen for proper
secretory function. The production of LH is regulated by feedback inhibition
of circulating testosterone on the pituitary and hypothalamus.
Human Growth Hormone [Click here for
information on Human Growth Hormone]
- Builds muscle
- Enhances immune function
- Strengthens the heart
- Helps control stress-induced damage
- Aids kidney function
- Enhances orgasmic intensity
- Lowers blood pressure
- Lowers cholesterol
- Long-term use reduces insulin requirements in diabetics
- Stimulates nerve cell growth and repair in brain, spinal cord, &
peripheral nerves
- Stimulates joint repair from damaged cartilage, tendons
- Decreases body fat (particularly abdominal organs)
- Increases extracellular fluid
- Speeds healing from burns, surgery, fractures
- Restores bone loss of osteoporosis
- Reverses congestive heart failure
- Restores youthful drive & energy
- Restores pulmonary function in chronic lung disease
- Improves mood & sleep patterns
- Thickens skin, restores tone & elasticity
- Promotes hair & nail growth
- Reduces susceptibility to illness
- Protects against early cancer cell formation
- Stimulates growth & repair of all organs of the body
Amylin
-- Insulin’s
Partner Hormone
- A pancreatic beta-cell hormone
that is co-located and co-secreted with insulin.
- In people without diabetes, amylin is believed to suppress glucagon secretion
during the postprandial period through a central effect mediated by an efferent
pathway of the vagus nerve.
- It also is believed to modulate nutrient delivery
from the stomach to the small intestine through a similar pathway.
- The result is tight regulation of circulating glucose in the postprandial state.
Resistin
- A hormone produced by adipose tissue (fat cells),
has recently been described by Lazar and co-workers.
Derives its name
from its effects on insulin action. In some animal models, resistin has been
shown to increase insulin resistance in peripheral target tissues, although the
mechanism of action is not known.
Adiponectin
- Produced by adipose tissue, is a beneficial
hormone with regard to lipotoxicity.
- Enhances FFA uptake (free fatty acids)
and oxidation, resulting in less triglyceride being stored in the muscle. It
also reduces free fatty acid uptake and triglyceride storage in the liver.
- Reduces circulating lipids and enhances insulin sensitivity and,
therefore, is considered to be antiatherogenic. Not surprisingly, a recent study
found that obese patients, with and without type 2 diabetes, had low serum
levels of adiponectin.
Leptin
- Also produced by adipose tissue, has
direct effects on fat cells in addition to its effect on appetite.
- It increases
glycerol release and FFA oxidation and reduces lipogenesis and triglyceride
synthesis.
Insulin
- Transports glucose into the cells
Melatonin
- Extends life
- Maintains youthful health vigor
- Enhances sexual vitality
- Strengthens immune system
- Is a potent antioxidant
- Protects against stress
- Protects against cancer
- Prevents heart disease
- Restores normal sleep patterns
- Cures jet lag
Pregnenolone
- Potent memory enhancer
- Improves concentration
- Fights mental fatigue
- Relieves arthritis
Progesterone
- Protects against cancer
- Natural tranquilizer
- Promotes feeling of well-being
- Enhances action of estrogen
- Relieves menopausal symptoms
- May stimulate new bone formation
- Potential treatment for nerve disease
Somatomedin-C
- Cellular growth factor released in response to growth hormone stimulation.
Somatostatin
- Inhibits the release of growth hormone
Testosterone
- Enhances sex drive
- Builds muscle
- Elevates mood
- Prevents osteoporosis
- Improves memory
- Lower cholesterol
- Protects against heart disease
- Reduces urinary obstruction from the prostate gland
- Decreases fasting blood glucose, plasma cholesterol, and triglycerides
- Decreases diastolic blood pressure
- Decreases visceral adipose tissue (organ fat)
Thymus Extracts
- Regulate, empower, and fine tunes the entire immune system
Thyroid Hormone
- Provides energy and "fuel" for all body functions
- Enhances immunity
- Maintains body temperature
- Helps reduce body fat
- Prevents hair loss in old age
- Lowers cholesterol in all ages
- Stimulates mental function
- Aids digestion and elimination
Here's some excellent additional information on hormone
function.
http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/
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