The hormones you should know about

Want to understand how your body works? Here are the hormones you should know about.

We often say we feel hormonal, but do you really know the effect the various hormones that exist in your body have on a daily basis? Your hormones control a vast number of your major bodily functions, including your hunger levels, mood balance and menstrual cycle. It’s important that you understand how and why your body works the way it does, so here are the hormones you should know about.

Cortisol

When you’re feeling particularly stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. It’s made in the adrenal glands and is then released into your blood to be transported throughout your whole body. Cortisol can have a variety of effects on your body in response to stress, including regulating your metabolism, acting as an anti-inflammatory, improving your memory and reducing your blood pressure. However, having too much cortisol in your body as a result of stress can lead to mood swings, anxiety, depression or irritability.

Melatonin

Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland, and helps to control your sleeping patterns. Your body naturally produces melatonin in accordance with your body clock. In the evening as you start to become tired, your melatonin levels will begin to increase. Your melatonin levels will then stay at a high level overnight as you sleep, before dropping in the morning when you wake up. Your melatonin levels are affected by light, which is why in winter your body typically produces melatonin earlier in the day than during summer.

Oestrogen

Oestrogen is a sex hormone that’s mainly secreted by the ovaries in the female body. It’s predominantly responsible for regulating the female reproductive system and menstrual cycle. When a girl goes through puberty, her oestrogen levels increase. This in turn leads to the growth of her breasts, pubic and underarm hair, and the beginning of her menstrual cycle. In addition to your ovaries, the adrenal glands on the top of your kidneys and fat cells also produce small amounts of oestrogen, which is then transported around the body via the blood.

Leptin and ghrelin

Leptin, otherwise known as the ‘satiety hormone’, is released by the fat cells in your body’s adipose tissue. When you’ve had enough to eat, leptin sends a signal to the brain to indicate that you’re full. Losing weight can cause your leptin levels to decrease, which is why dieting can make you feel more hungry than usual. On the other hand, ghrelin, otherwise known as the ‘hunger hormone’, stimulates your appetite by sending an alert to your brain that you’re hungry.

Serotonin

There’s been a lot of talk recently about the connection between the gut and brain. The hormone serotonin, which is mainly produced in the gut, plays a large role in this discussion. As a chemical neurotransmitter, your serotonin levels can have a large impact on the regulation of mood balance, memory and sexual desire. There is an apparent connection between low levels of serotonin and depression. However, scientists are as yet unsure whether low levels of serotonin cause depression or whether it’s the other way around.