Unlocking the hormone heist

HORMONES ARE often spoken about in conversations around mood, weight, energy, and overall health, but many people do not fully understand what they are or why they matter. In truth, hormones are among the most powerful chemical messengers in the human body, influencing nearly every aspect of physical and emotional well-being.

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system. They travel through the bloodstream, delivering instructions to organs and tissues about how to function. Without hormones working smoothly, the entire body feels out of sync.

According to Dr Orlando Thomas, medical doctor and functional medicine practitioner at Thomas Medical and Shockwave Centre in Old Harbour, hormones are often described as the body’s chemical messengers, tiny molecules with enormous influence.

“They regulate everything from your mood and metabolism to your sleep, fertility, immunity, and long-term health. When they are balanced, the body functions smoothly. When they are disrupted, even slightly, the effects can be felt in nearly every system,” Dr Thomas said.

As modern lifestyles become more stressful and nutrition shifts away from whole foods, hormonal imbalances are becoming increasingly common. Understanding how hormones work he said, is essential to maintaining long-term wellness.

Hormones regulate essential processes such as:

• Metabolism

• Growth and development

• Mood and emotional regulation

• Reproductive health

• Sleep cycles

• Immune responses

• Blood sugar balance

• Stress response

Hormones help maintain homeostasis, the body’s ability to stay balanced.

Some key hormones include:

• Insulin: Regulates blood sugar levels and energy use

• Thyroid hormones: Control metabolism, weight, temperature, and energy.

• Cortisol: The stress hormone that affects sleep, inflammation, and mood.

• Estrogen and progesterone: Vital for reproductive health, menstrual cycles, bone strength, skin health, and mood.

• Testosterone: Important for strength, libido, focus, and energy (in both men and women).

• Melatonin: Regulates the sleep-wake cycle.

When any of these hormones are off balance, symptoms often appear in the form of fatigue, weight changes, mood swings, anxiety, infertility, acne, hair loss, and more.

Hormones influence the way you look, feel, think, and function.They play a crucial role in:

• Mental clarity

• Emotional stability

• Healthy sleep

• Energy and motivation

• Fertility and sexual health

• Body weight and metabolism

• Skin, hair, and bone health

Hormonal balance is not just a medical issue; it is a lifestyle and well-being issue.

Hormonal imbalance is common and treatable. The solution depends on the cause, but may include:

• Medical Evaluation: A doctor may perform blood tests to measure thyroid levels, cortisol, insulin, reproductive hormones, or others. Treatment could include:

• Thyroid medication

• Insulin regulation

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

• Treatment for PCOS, diabetes, or adrenal issues

• Nutrition and lifestyle adjustments: Many hormones respond powerfully to diet and habits. Helpful steps include:

• Eating balanced meals with protein and healthy fats

• Reducing sugar and processed food

• Managing stress

• Improving sleep quality

• Regular exercise

• Increasing fibre for blood sugar control

• Supporting gut health (which influences hormone production)

• Stress Management:Chronic stress disrupts cortisol, which disrupts everything else.Chronic stress is one of the biggest disruptors of hormonal health. Long-term stress forces the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol—the body’s primary stress hormone, which can suppress immunity, increase belly fat, and throw other hormones such as insulin, estrogen, and thyroid hormones off balance.Techniques include:

• Prayer and meditation

• Deep breathing

• Journaling

• Nature walks

• Counselling or therapy

• Natural Supplements: Supplements should never replace medical treatment but can support it. Common options include:

• Vitamin D

• Magnesium

• Omega-3

• Probiotics

• Adaptogens (ashwagandha, rhodiola)

• B-vitamins

• Sleep Optimisation: Sleep regulates cortisol, growth hormone, melatonin, and insulin. Aiming for seven to nine hours consistently is key.

Hormones shape everything, from energy to emotions, metabolism to menstruation, clarity to calm.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com