What is the endocrine system and why is it important to keep it balanced?

The endocrine system plays an integral role in regulating the body’s functions. It’s composed of all the essential internal glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream so they can circulate throughout the body and perform their particular tasks.

Hormones are defined as the class of chemical compounds that act as messengers in the body. They are responsible for regulating the functions by carrying the messages from one part of the body to another. All the anatomic parts have their own distinctive group of hormones. To maintain your physical health, it is important to balance your hormones so they can work in perfect harmony and equilibrium. If the release of any of these chemical messengers exceeds or diminishes the normal range, it can create severe problems for you.

For a healthy life and general well-being, the maintenance of this messenger system is very important. This blog post will show you an insight into the importance of a healthy endocrine system and the tremendous beneficial effects it has on body autonomy. Let's have a look:

What are the functions of the endocrine system?

A well-balanced endocrine system is key to a happy, healthy life. It is in charge of the body’s growth and development and is also involved in managing reproductive functions, weight maintenance, mood, and sleeping patterns. In addition to this, it also assists the nervous system and enables it to perform its function ideally. The importance of a well-balanced and healthy messenger system can never be neglected.

The endocrine system acts as the energy control center of the body and includes the following components:

• Hypothalamus

Hypothalamus is an integral component of the brain that enables the body to maintain its internal balance (homeostasis). It also stimulates the pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature, and fluid balance. It regulates the secretion of hormones in the pituitary gland. The suppression or excess release of hormones in the pituitary gland affects your sleep-wake cycle, appetite, and body temperature.  

• Anterior pituitary glands

The anterior pituitary glands are the components of the endocrine system that control stress levels, growth, and development, menstruation, and lactation. These glands also play an integral role in reproduction and fertility. The hormones released by anterior pituitary glands include ACTH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

• Gonads

In simple words, gonads refer to the reproductive parts of humans (testes in the case of males and ovaries in the case of females). Their hormone secretion is influenced by the endocrine system. The most common chemical messengers released from gonads include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

• Pancreas

The pancreas serves to be the endocrine component for insulin and glucagon - both of which are essential for the normal functioning of the body. Insulin tends to lower blood glucose levels, on the contrary, glucagon elevates blood sugar. The normal coordination of these hormones facilitates the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.

• Thyroid and parathyroid glands

Thyroid and parathyroid glands serve to be the energy controllers and regulators of the body. A well-balanced endocrine system makes you feel energetic and active.

Why is it important to keep the endocrine system balanced and healthy?

The healthy endocrine system serves to be the ideal foundation for a normal healthy functioning body. Any disturbances in the secretion and regulation of hormones can create a plethora of problems for you. Fertility issues, irregular menstrual periods, rapid weight gain or weight loss, skin problems and lethargy-to name a few.

Hormones, also known as chemical messengers, play an important role in carrying the message from one part of the body to another. They regulate homeostasis (internal balance of the body). Any abrupt changes in the secretion of the hormones give rise to a cascade of issues. It also makes it difficult to conceive or develop proper puberty changes. In infants, it leads to improper development of the brain and nervous tissue.

The endocrine system also controls the absorption of hormones. If your endocrine system isn’t healthy, it will lead to poor absorption of useful nutrients and minerals into the bloodstream. This weakens your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to infections. Abnormal absorption and secretion of the chemical messengers lead to excessive weight gain or weight loss.

Last but not the least, the messenger system is crucial for balancing stress levels in the body. Having a healthy endocrine system enables you to manage your stress levels and PMS effectively.

How to take care of your endocrine system

By this time, I hope you have realized the importance of a balanced endocrine system. Here are some amazing tried and tested tips for you that will help you to take care of your endocrine system:

• Eat a balanced diet

The best thing that you can do to make your body healthy is to eat a well-balanced nutritious diet. This nourishment and sustenance enable all the endocrine glands to perform their particular function effectively.

The endocrine system plays a direct role in controlling the appetite. Make sure that you are taking recommended supplements and vitamins along with your healthy meals for the proper absorption of useful minerals in the body.

• Exercise

Engage your body in any kind of physical exercise daily for at least 40 to 60 minutes. This movement stimulates the release of endocrine hormones that are involved in maintaining the natural balance of the body. The plus point? Exercising regularly strengthens your immune system and manages the secretion of insulin and ACTH in your body-thus reducing stress levels. Physical movements also regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce PMS that proves to be beneficial for your overall health and general well-being.

• Avoid excess sugar

Eating refined carbs rich in fructose leads to obesity and insulin resistance. This, in turn, disturbs the natural secretion of insulin and glucagon from pancreatic glands. For a healthy endocrine system, it is recommended that you limit your intake of refined carbs, artificial sweeteners and instead switch to natural fruits, herbal teas, and juices to fulfill your sweet-tooth cravings.

Following the above tips will prove to be really helpful for managing the endocrine system. A healthy and well-nourished body is essential for your general well-being. If you wish to improve your lifestyle simply contact me to discover the best advice for your health, read my other blogs!