October 05, 2002

By: Laurie Simpson
Website: http://www.1st-in-wellness.com

Hormones send the messages that our bodies listen to!

Hormones are one of the body's great communication networks. The others are the nervous and immune systems. A hormone molecule, released by one of about a dozen glands, travels through the blood until it reaches a cell with a receptor that it fits. Then, like a key in a lock, the molecule attaches to the receptor and sends a signal inside the cell. The signal may tell the cell to produce a certain protein or to multiply. Glands and nerve cells signal endocrine glands about temperature changes, hunger, fear, growth needs or other stimuli. In response, endocrine glands release hormones to carry instructions to specific cells.

Eventually they bind to proteins or receptors that are found in cells. This is when things really start to happen. Once the hormones are bound to the protein the receptor reads the messages and begins to do as the hormone tells it to. This can influence physical changes like growth and height. It controls the rate and changes of sexual maturity all threw the lives of men and women determining sex characteristics (breast size, bone density, muscle development, sperm production), cycles (uterine growth, pregnancy) and behavior.

Hormones are much more involved in our body functions than just the two points mentioned above. There are many natural sources and drug sources of hormone replacement that people can use to alter the process that is going on. There are many reasons that people would want to have some control of their systems. Understanding natural food supplements is a good place to start when wanting to know your body better.

About The Author:

Laurie Simpson is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-wellness.com.  Obtaining and keeping good health through healthy living, natural healing, great mental health and healthy finances.