Take time to learn about hormones for controlling weight and influencing health. Here is a good start. Some you might already know…others may be a new lesson. Enjoy
Insulin: This hormone is made by the pancreas; its function is to lower blood sugar after meals. In the presence of insulin, you will not be able to burn fat. Sugar triggers insulin. Optimal concentrations of insulin are required for normal growth during postnatal life. Insulin stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein breakdown. Without insulin, normal responses to GH are not seen and protein breakdown is severe. Insulin promotes growth primarily by shuttling nutrients (glucose and some amino acids) inside cells, providing energy and the building blocks for protein synthesis.
Note that insulin and GH must both be present at the same time for normal growth to occur. This is because insulin and GH each shuttle a DIFFERENT compliment of essential amino acids inside cells, and of course all of the essential amino acids must be present at the same time for protein synthesis (and thus growth) to occur. Neither insulin nor GH alone is sufficient to support normal growth - it takes optimal levels of all the body’s hormones to produce optimal health and optimal fat loss. Excess insulin cannot create muscle mass, but it will promote fat storage. It’s not the calories in sugar that make you fat - it’s the insulin response. READ THAT AGAIN!
Glucocorticoids: Glucocorticoids (primarily cortisol) promote optimal function of a wide variety of organ systems, but do not have direct growth promoting actions. Excess GC’s inhibit growth by the catabolic effects of cortisol (increased protein breakdown).
Normal levels of GC’s permit optimal function of the other hormones. The concept here is that glucocorticoids act to stimulate (or maintain) optimal levels (amounts) of metabolic enzymes, whose activities in turn are regulated by the other hormones. GC’s sort of set the stage and make sure all of the machinery is in place.
Cortisol functions to make sure the key regulatory enzymes are present in sufficient amounts to allow allosteric regulation (enzyme regulation via small effector molecules such as metabolic intermediates) and enzyme regulation by other hormones. Also, cortisol is important in maintenance of glucose levels and resistance to stress, which intuitively would seem important for normal growth.Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and has been referred to as the “stress hormone.” It is also affectionately referred to as “The FAT STORAGE HORMONE” because of its ability to mobilize fat oddly enough around the mid-section.
During periods of elevated stress, Cortisol levels are increased. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone, which means it allows the body to cannibalize its own tissue. It does have an important purpose. The gradual breakdown of tissue allows you to continuously build new, healthy cells. Cortisol also makes certain that if the body’s energy needs suddenly go up due to an extreme stress, or if due to trauma eating is a challenge, there are plenty of amino acids floating around to be converted into glucose and used as fuel.
Thyroid hormone is present in two forms, known as T3 and T4 {triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)} T4 and T3 are derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine with three (T3) or four (T4) atoms of iodine. These two hormones have many effects on the body. Among the most prominent of these are:
- an increase in metabolic rate (seen by a rise in the uptake of oxygen)
- an increase in the rate and strength of the heart beat
Most of the circulating hormone is in the form of T4 that is converted to the more active T3 form inside target cells. Thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid gland) has nearly as devastating an effect on growth as does hypophysectomy (removal of the pituitary gland - the body’s source of GH). Restoration of T3 and T4 promptly reinitiates growth. T3 and T4 have little if any growth promoting effect in the absence of GH however. T3 acts to promote the actions of GH at three levels: GH synthesis, GH secretion and GH action. Plasma concentrations of GH are very low in the absence of T3 or T4. This action is independent of GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) and appears to be exerted directly at the level of gene transcription. Failure of proper thyroid function is almost always a result of liver toxicity. 80% of thyroid function is controlled by the liver.
It is vitally important to detoxify the liver before a thyroid system can be normalized.Controlling all of the above hormones is key when looking to maximize muscle gains and /or fat loss. The premise behind our program allows you to do this more effectively than most diets. Learning about these hormones and how they work and relate to each other is a good step in helping to plan your own diet and training regimen.
Dr. Perry Nickelston, DC
www.painlasercenter.com
drperry@painlasercenter.com
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