Hormones

The Endocrine System is made up of glands that produce hormones. Here are some of the major glands responsible for hormone production:

• Hypothalamus: Responsible for body temperature, hunger, moods and the release of hormones from other glands, the hypothalamus also controls thirst, sleep and sex drive.
• Parathyroid: The parathyroid controls the amount of calcium in the body.
• Thymus: Responsible for the adaptive immune system and the maturity of the thymus and produces T-cells.
• Pancreas: The pancreas is responsible for the production of insulin that helps control blood sugar levels.
• Thyroid: The thyroid produces hormones associated with calorie burning and heart rate.

• Adrenal: Adrenal glands are responsible for the production of hormones that control sex drive and cortisol, the stress hormone.
• Pituitary: The pituitary gland is considered the “master control” of all glands. The pituitary gland controls other glands and makes the hormones that trigger growth.
• Pineal: Also called the thalamus, the pineal gland is responsible for the production of serotonin derivatives of melatonin, which affects sleep.
• Ovaries: Only in women, the ovaries secrete the female sex hormones estrogen, testosterone and progesterone.
• Testes: Only in men, the testes produce the male sex hormone, testosterone, and are responsible for the production of sperm.

Working together, these glands and the hormones they produce are responsible for the entire body system. Keeping your hormones at normal levels is important to how you look and feel.

Hormones are extremely powerful, as they control the entire body. It only takes a small amount to make big changes in your body. Too much or too little can cause detrimental effects to your body, causing you to be susceptible to illness. Keeping control of your hormones will, in turn, keep your body healthy.