Hormonal

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Hormonal refers to anything related to or affected by hormones. Hormones are chemical substances produced in the body that control and regulate the activity of certain cells or organs.

Function[edit | edit source]

Hormones are essential for every activity of life, including the processes of digestion, metabolism, growth, reproduction, and mood control. Many hormones, such as neurotransmitters, are active in more than one physical process.

Types of Hormones[edit | edit source]

Hormones can be categorized into three types: steroid hormones, peptide hormones, and amine hormones.

Steroid Hormones[edit | edit source]

Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol. They are lipid-soluble and can pass through the cell membrane to their receptor inside a cell.

Peptide Hormones[edit | edit source]

Peptide hormones are derived from amino acids. Some examples of peptide hormones include growth hormone and insulin.

Amine Hormones[edit | edit source]

Amine hormones are derived from a single amino acid, either tyrosine or tryptophan. Examples of these hormones include adrenaline and thyroxine.

Hormonal Disorders[edit | edit source]

Hormonal disorders can occur if the body has too much or too little of a certain hormone. Even small hormonal imbalances can cause serious health problems. Hormonal disorders can be treated by endocrinologists.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Hormonal Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD