Nutrition and Hormones

Nutrition and hormones

What is a hormone?

• A hormone is a molecule that plays a strategic role in regulating chemical process that occur in cells.
• The human body is made up of 75-100 trillion cells.

What does a hormone do?
Hormones, internally generate, manufactured by one’s own body for the purpose of tuning, metabolism and turning off or turning on certain metabolic processes. 
The endocrine glands secrete hormones that circulate through the blood to corresponding organs or tissues which bring changes in the metabolic activity of these cells.
EXAMPLE:

1. Thyroid – speed up overall tempo of cellular metabolism
2. Adrenaline molecules: accelerate the conversion of stored carbohydrate into a usable form, gearing cells for emergency operation (fight or flight)

Major processes controlled by hormones are:

• Reproductive
• Growth and development
• Stress/defence response
• Water and electrolyte homeostasis
• Nutrient balance in the blood
• Regulation of cellular metabolism and energy balance

There are 2 types of hormones:

1. Steroid
2. Non- steroid

Steroid hormones:

• Pass through cell membrane
• Once inside the cell, they stimulate the DNA and new proteins are synthesized

Non-steroid Hormones

• Attach to receptor sites on the cell membrane, stimulating the release of a second messenger.
• This second messenger then moves into the cell, and initiates the changes instigated by the hormone.
• Non steroid hormones do not actually enter cell

Prostaglandins:

• A local hormone like substance
• Made from essential fatty acids (EFAs)
• Acting at the site of release
• They only last a fraction of a second in the body
• During that short life span they have a powerful effect on the body
• They believe to be the strongest compounds made by the body

 
Control of hormone release:
Many hormones are controlled directly by feedback from the substance that they control.
For example:

• The release of insulin and glucagon is controlled by glucose levels
• Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin release is controlled by calcium
• Other hormones are controlled by gland-to-gland axis, which starts in the hypothalamus
• Hypothalamus secrets the hormone that stimulates the pituitary to secrete a hormone.
• This hormone stimulates the end target endocrine gland to secrete its hormone.
• In this type of control, the end hormone levels will feedback in what is known as a negative feedback inhibition loop to the hypothalamus to stop hormone production when the level of the target hormone is adequate. 

THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
The endocrine system is comprised of all the glandular secretory cells and tissues of the body:

• Hypothalamus
• Pineal
• Pituitary
• Thyroid and parathyroid glands
• Thymus
• Heart
• Kidney
• Digestive glands
• Adrenal glands
• Pancreatic islets
• Gonads

Some of these organs have the primary function of secreting hormones; other have many functions in addition to endocrine secretion.
The endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the blood and transport them to their target organs or tissues where they bring about changes in the metabolic activity of those cells.
PITUITARY

• Master gland
• Through the feedback system, it controls the distribution of hormones to other hormone secreting organs and in the system such ovaries (gonads), pancreas, adrenals, thyroid, parathyroid and pineal gland.

HYPOTHALAMUS

• Located above the optic nerves
• Relays messages to the pituitary via blood and nervous systems on functions affecting our body temperature, emotions, sleep, defence mechanisms, thirst, sexual needs and hunger ect.
• Pituitary gland then signals the release of hormones to the gland or organ responsible for balancing these functions.

Signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalances:
T3 and T4 excess (hyperthyroidism)

• Speedy metabolism
• Weight loss
• Tiredness and weakness
• Restlessness
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Emotional instability
• Rapid bounding pulse
• Arrhythmias

 
Hypothyroid symptoms

• Fatigue- slow metabolism
• Metal dullness
• Physical slowness
• Dry skin and hair (beta carotene cannot be converted)
• Inability to tolerate cold
• Muscle weakness and cramps
• Orange coloured skin, especially palms
• Yellow bumps on eyelids due to fat deposits
• Recurrent infection
• Depression

 
Adrenal cortex

• Obesity of the trunk
• Moon face
• Thin limbs
• Tiredness
• Weight loss
• Low blood pressure
• Mineral imbalance
• Raised blood potassium
• Dehydration and hemoconcentration

 
Stress and adrenals (stress weakens adrenals)

• Inability to concentrate
• Excessive fatigue
• Salt cravings
• Waking up at 2am
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Depression
• Dry scaly skin
• Skin pigmentation of temples
• Exaggerated reflexes
• Swollen neck glands
• Allergies
• Cold hands and feet
• Digestive problems
• Tension headaches
• Light-headedness/dizziness

What affects hormones?
STRESS AND THE ADRENAL GLANDS:

• Stress is any physical, physiological or psychological force that disrupts homeostasis.
• The body responds to stress by mobilizing both a nervous system response and in cases of continued stress, the adrenal glands.
• Prolonged stress, not adequately managed by the body, is known to the formation of many diseases.

What happens in the body?

• It is not only stress that exhausts the adrenal glands. 
• Stimulants like caffeine cause an epinephrine release
• High sugar diets and chronic alcohol intake lead to insulin resistance, and thus to unstable blood sugar.
• This again will tax the adrenal glands to provide stress hormones that convert fuel stores to glucose to correct the low blood glucose.    
• Chronic inflammation releases histamine and other kinins, and these stimulate the secretion of epinephrine and corticosteroids. 

What happens over time?

1. First, they shut down digestion and digestive secretions, and shunt blood away from the gut so that the tissues don’t get enough nutrients or oxygen to remain healthy and strong.

Undigested food feeds microbes and they increase in numbers.  Pathogens grow resulting in dysbiosis, chronic gut mucosal inflammation, leaky gut and allergies. 

1. Secondly, cortisol suppresses the immune system, resulting in a predisposition to repeated infection. 

A weakened immune system cannot adequately seek out and destroy cell mutations and this opens the door to other diseases such as cancer. 

1. Thirdly, nutrient turnover is increased, resulting in an increase demand especially for the antioxidants and vitamin B complex, and for minerals washed out in the urine. 

The adrenal glands suffer not only because they are overworked, but because their nutrients requirements to maintain these high output states are not being met.  
BLOOD SUGARS AND HORMONES:

• Sugar inhibits the release of growth hormones
• When glucose is absorbed into the blood, we feel ‘UP’.  However, this surge of energy doesn’t last, then the blood sugar levels drop, and we feel restless and tired.  We often reach for sugar which continues the rise and fall of sugars in the blood.
• After years of such days, the end results in damaged adrenals.  They are worn out not from overwork but from continued whiplash.  Overall production of hormones is low, amounts don’t dovetail. 
• This imbalance is reflected all around the endocrine circuit. 
• The brain may have trouble telling the unreal from real.
• When stress comes our way we go to pieces because we no longer have a healthy endocrine system to cope with it. 

The late endocrinologist John W. Tintera stated:
“It is quite possible to improve your disposition, increase your efficiency, and change your personality for the better.  The way to do it is to avoid cane and beet sugar in all forms and guises.”
 
ROLE OF CHOLESTEROL and HORMONES
Cholesterol is a high-molecular-weight alcohol that is manufactured in the liver and in most cells.
Similar to saturated fats, the cholesterol we make and consume plays many vital roles such as providing cells necessary stiffness and stability.
What does this mean?
1) When a cell is full of polyunsaturated fatty acids, they replace saturated fatty acids in a cell membrane, so cell walls become flabby.  When this happens, cholesterol from the blood is “driven” into the tissues to give them structural integrity.  Therefore, serum cholesterols go down temporarily when we replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated oils in the diet. 
2) Cholesterol acts as a precursor to vital corticosteroids (hormones) that help us deal with stresses and protect the body against heart disease and cancer.  
3) Cholesterol is needed for proper function of SEROTININ (hormone) receptors in the brain.  Serotonin is the body’s natural ‘feel good’ hormone. 
Cholesterol is… the central structure in the steroid group that include the female and male hormones, they are commonly used in the contraceptive pill, cortisone, vitamin D, and the steroid drugs some people take. 
Without cholesterol the skin would dry up, the brain would not function and there would be no vital hormones of sex and adrenals. 
TRANS FATS AND HORMONES (polyunsaturated oils)
1980’s vegetable oils began to surface.
Thanks to lobbyist efforts of their friends at centre for science in the public interest (CSPI) trans fats were everywhere:

• Cakes
• Cookies
• Doughnuts
• Salad dressings
• Imitation dairy products
• Chips and other snacks
• Breads, fried foods
• Stick margarine and soft spreads
• Shortening
• Chicken nuggets
• Onion rings
• Even movie popcorn

When fast foods switched from animal fats to partially hydrogenated oils for frying, trans fats increased 700% in McDonald’s chicken nuggets, large fries and a Danish or pie.
“The food industry viewed trans fats as benign- even healthy- because they could use them in place of liquid vegetable oils, which they new caused cancer.” Nourishing Fats by Sally Fallon Morell
Industry spokes person claimed they were not even well absorbed through the intestinal wall, but this view gave way to the observation that humans absorb more than 96% of trans fats ingested incorporating them into:

• The liver
• Red blood cell membrane
• Mitochondria
• Mammary glands
• Basically EVERYWHERE

One study showed (1976) found levels of trans fats up to 18% in human breast milk.
1970-1980 – Rats who were fed trans fats had reproductive problems and lower testosterone levels and increase in abnormal sperm up to 98% by 3rd generation.
2nd generation rats exposed to trans fats in utero and during nursing experienced a greater accumulation of trans fats in various tissues than those rats placed on trans fatty acids after weaning. 
Increased consumption of polyunsaturated fats is associated with increasing rates of:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Weight gain

Trans fats interfere with production of prostaglandins leading to autoimmune disease and PMS.
Disruption of prostaglandin production leads to an increased tendency to form blood clots
HORMONES AND PROTEINS
Protein is essential for normal growth, for the formation of hormones and for the process of blood clotting.
Sources of protein from vegetables contain only incomplete protein (meaning they do not contain all 9 essential amino acids)
 
DIET RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HORMONE BALANCE:

• Avoid coffee, tea, caffeine, stimulants and carbonated beverages
• Avoid sugar, alcohol, MSP and artificial sweeteners
• Drink lots of pure water
• Increase fibre intake
• Avoid trans- and hydrogenated fats
• Decrease refined and simple carbohydrates
• Increase dark green leafy vegetables and other chlorophyll-containing foods
• Consume organic foods as much as possible, as some pesticides can interfere with hormones
• Avoid commercial fruit drinks, many of which contain brominated oils that can damage the thyroid, heart, kidneys and testes.

 
SUPPLEMENTS

• Probiotics
• Multivitamin-mineral
• Calming minerals especially magnesium, iron, potassium and calcium
• Fish oil EPA, DHA,
• B-complex will support the adrenals and with managing stress

 
LIFESTYLE AND OTHER FACTORS

• Get ample, regular, good quality sleep
• Exercise to burn off excess hormones
• Reduce stress and practice stress management techniques
• Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and other pollutants

****Note: this post is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any illnesses. It is for informational purposes only.  Always read and follow the labels when taking supplements and always consult a healthcare professional.