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The rate at which the processes in the organism take place are called metabolism speed. Metabolism is regulated not only by the level of physical activity, but also a whole set of hormones. So, they are also able to influence body weight. How does it happen?
Hormones are biologically active substances that help to regulate metabolism.
There are two metabolic processes in the organism, and they require different types of hormones.
The first process — catabolism – destructive, provides a breakdown of incoming substances for building material for cells and energy. Second – anabolism — constructive, providing for the Assembly of new cells and tissues. It spends energy produced by catabolism.
Hormones-destroyers
To make blood received the basic fuel for cells – glucose – it is needed to release it from the main storage locations. There are several “Hackers” in the body (several hormones) of this type.
When muscles need immediate energy infusion, the body releases glucagon – a hormone produced by special cells of the pancreas. This hormone helps to send glucose into the blood, which is stored in the liver in the form of the carbohydrate glycogen.
High-speed burst of energy is required in stress or in other bad situation. The body quickly comes to a state of readiness to escape or attack, therefore it needs fuel.
At this moment the body activates the stress hormone cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal cortex. It increases the concentration of glucose in blood to improve the power of cells and also blood pressure that glucose is more efficiently transported to the cells.
The cortisol and side effect – its activity suppresses the immune system. That is why prolonged stress makes the body susceptible to disease.
Adrenaline is another stress hormone, or more precisely, fear. It increases the body supplied another type of fuel – oxygen. Dose of adrenaline, which, like cortisol, is produced in the adrenal glands, makes the heart beat faster, and lungs to absorb more oxygen, which is involved in energy production.
Hormones are the creators
Any cell of the body require the hormone insulin to effectively use glucose produced in the pancreas. It regulates the rate of consumption of glucose in the body, and the lack of insulin leads to serious disease – diabetes.
For the growth of the body responds somatotropin, produced in the pituitary gland. It also regulates the growth of muscle and bone tissues, as well as beard growth – testosterone. This hormone directs the energy and materials to create additional muscle mass. Therefore, thanks to it the number of men losing weight faster is more than women. After all, feed the muscle requires much more energy than fat tissue.
Women have their own constructive hormone estrogen. While its level in the body sufficient, the woman can not worry about the strength of their bones and good shape of the breast.
However, due to the estrogen in the thighs and buttocks is delayed a small fat reserve. In addition, estrogen regulates the menstrual cycle and helps to grow the endometrium – the inner lining of the uterus, essential for the growth of the embryo.
Speed controller
Excess weight is usually caused by consumption of excess energy, which is stored in the form of fat. But there is another regulator of metabolism in the body that determines the speed of all processes.
It is the thyroid hormones – thyroxine and triiodothyronine. If the thyroid gland produces not enough of them, the metabolism slows down, and energy is much faster turns into fat reserves. When there is excess amount f these hormones – on the contrary there is not enough energy from fat, and as fuel starts to work muscle tissue.
However, the cause of excess weight bad thyroid gland becomes only three percent of cases.
Why not enough
If hormones are used too frequently, the glands that secrete them, gradually get tired and begin to function improperly. For example, constant stress, alcohol abuse and Smoking reduce the production of hormones in the adrenal glands.
The same process begins and in the pancreas, if the power supply becomes unbalanced and contains excessive amounts of fat and sugar. Most often change in the work of the endocrine glands lead to a sharp swing weight.
Therefore, any unexplained and severe weight change requires not searching fo the diet but a visit to the endocrinologist, who finds out what hormones have dropped out of the process.
What you need to know
The endocrine glands regulate all metabolic processes in our body. They help to grow muscles or to keep girlish figure. In order for the hormonal system to work properly, it is important to eat rationally, to respect the day, to quit bad habits and not to forget from time to time to see the endocrinologist – for prevention.
More about hormones and weight watch in the video below:
