394
patterns of hormonal responses to any stimulus must inevitably lead to consideration of the metabolic effects of the involved hormones. Massive amounts of recent
endocrinological data indicate that most hormones have surprisingly broad range of
effect on metabolic processes.
The effects of Cortisol, for example, include those on carbohydrate, lipid, protein, sodium, potassium, phosphate, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and water
metabolism. It influences processes such as energy production, acid-base balance,
growth, wound healing, lactation, and resistance to infection. It affects tissues and
organs such as liver, muscle, adipose tissue, brain, kidney, gastrointestinal tract,
bone, cartilage, connective tissue, blood cells, lymphoid tissue, skin, and the cardiovascular system. Other hormones including thyroxin, insulin, growth hormone, and
epinephrine’ similarly have a multiplicity of diverse effects. Insulin has a potent
stimulating effect on protein biosynthesis, but it also has a strong effect on carbohydrate metabolism, which would appear to be an undesirable or unnecessary “sideeffect” in this instance. Growth hormone, on the other hand, while being synergistic
with insulin in its effect on protein metabolism, antagonizes the effect of insulin on
carbohydrate metabolism. Concurrent or coordinated elevations of both hormones
might then logically be expected to exert a strong, selective effect on protein synthesis with minimal associated effects on carbohydrate metabolism. The adrenal corticosteroids are also known to counteract the effects of insulin on carbohydrate
metabolism [1].
The sympathetic adrenomedullary system with the secretion of epinephrine and
norepinephrine, and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) system with
the secretion of cortisol. These hormones have often been used as objective indicators of stress in the individual. However, through their bodily effects, they are also
a link between the psychosocial environment and various health outcomes. From a
series of studies of women and men, it was concluded that gender roles and psychological factors are more important than biological factors for the sex differences in
stress responses [2].
Importance of Healthy Hormones
Body experiences different changes in hormones during different life stages and
balancing hormones is not an easy task. The change in single hormone production
has effects not only appetite, mood, and metabolism but almost on all others hormones in the body. The metabolism and health greatly depends on hormones and
there optimal production. Hormones have profound impact on mental as well as
physical health [3]. They control mood, emotional health, appetite, weight, and
physical health. Several natural mechanisms regulate the production of these little
body messengers in the normal range and life quality will become better with this
harmony [4]. A schematic representation of importance of hormonal balance has
been shown in Fig. 24.1.
N. Itrat
patterns of hormonal responses to any stimulus must inevitably lead to consideration of the metabolic effects of the involved hormones. Massive amounts of recent
endocrinological data indicate that most hormones have surprisingly broad range of
effect on metabolic processes.
The effects of Cortisol, for example, include those on carbohydrate, lipid, protein, sodium, potassium, phosphate, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and water
metabolism. It influences processes such as energy production, acid-base balance,
growth, wound healing, lactation, and resistance to infection. It affects tissues and
organs such as liver, muscle, adipose tissue, brain, kidney, gastrointestinal tract,
bone, cartilage, connective tissue, blood cells, lymphoid tissue, skin, and the cardiovascular system. Other hormones including thyroxin, insulin, growth hormone, and
epinephrine’ similarly have a multiplicity of diverse effects. Insulin has a potent
stimulating effect on protein biosynthesis, but it also has a strong effect on carbohydrate metabolism, which would appear to be an undesirable or unnecessary “sideeffect” in this instance. Growth hormone, on the other hand, while being synergistic
with insulin in its effect on protein metabolism, antagonizes the effect of insulin on
carbohydrate metabolism. Concurrent or coordinated elevations of both hormones
might then logically be expected to exert a strong, selective effect on protein synthesis with minimal associated effects on carbohydrate metabolism. The adrenal corticosteroids are also known to counteract the effects of insulin on carbohydrate
metabolism [1].
The sympathetic adrenomedullary system with the secretion of epinephrine and
norepinephrine, and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) system with
the secretion of cortisol. These hormones have often been used as objective indicators of stress in the individual. However, through their bodily effects, they are also
a link between the psychosocial environment and various health outcomes. From a
series of studies of women and men, it was concluded that gender roles and psychological factors are more important than biological factors for the sex differences in
stress responses [2].
Importance of Healthy Hormones
Body experiences different changes in hormones during different life stages and
balancing hormones is not an easy task. The change in single hormone production
has effects not only appetite, mood, and metabolism but almost on all others hormones in the body. The metabolism and health greatly depends on hormones and
there optimal production. Hormones have profound impact on mental as well as
physical health [3]. They control mood, emotional health, appetite, weight, and
physical health. Several natural mechanisms regulate the production of these little
body messengers in the normal range and life quality will become better with this
harmony [4]. A schematic representation of importance of hormonal balance has
been shown in Fig. 24.1.
N. Itrat