The function of hormones for the body is very important, especially these 4 types of hormones

You may have known people who have enlarged adenoids, experience menstrual disorders, have a short stature, or perhaps most often find people who have diabetes. Did you know that diseases like that are caused by hormonal disorders? Therefore, the function of hormones for the human body is absolutely essential.

Recognize the function of hormones

Hormones are substances that are formed by certain parts of the body in small amounts and are carried to other body tissues and have an influence on the activity of body cells.

Hormones are produced both in the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary parts) and outside the brain (pancreas, thyroid gland, adrenals, and reproductive organs).

These organs secrete hormones, then the hormones will enter the bloodstream to the destination organs where these hormones work.

The body produces many hormones. Of all the hormones produced, there are four hormones that are essential for survival. If there is a serious disturbance in this essential hormone, death can occur. What are the four hormones?

1. The hormone insulin

Insulin is a hormone produced by pancreatic beta cells. This hormone has anabolic or constructive properties. Insulin is produced when levels of nutrients in the blood (sugar, fat, and amino acids) increase.

The function of the insulin hormone in the body is to reduce blood sugar levels, free fatty acids, and amino acids, and help store them.

The presence of the hormone insulin makes the cells of the human body use sugar as the main energy ingredient. The action of the insulin hormone is countered by the glucagon hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas.

The absence of the hormone insulin can cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) such as diabetes mellitus (DM) or diabetes. If left untreated, hyperglycemia can cause interference with various organs such as the kidneys, nerves and retina.

Lack of insulin can also cause the breakdown of fat from fat tissue, resulting in an increase in fatty acids in the blood.

In a condition where the body cannot use sugar as the main fuel, cells will use fatty acids as an alternative energy.

The use of fatty acids for this energy will increase the release of ketone bodies (ketosis), which are acidic, causing acidosis. This acidosis can decrease the work of the brain and if it is severe it can lead to coma and eventually death.

2. Parathyroid hormone

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a hormone produced by the parathyroid glands. This gland is located around the thyroid gland. PTH plays an important role in regulating calcium levels in the blood. Calcium itself has an important effect on muscle contraction and blood clotting processes.

PTH is excreted in conditions of low blood calcium. This hormone increases calcium by increasing the release of calcium from bones, absorption of calcium from the intestines and kidneys. Calcitonin is a hormone that can inhibit PTH from working.

PTH is essential for life because in the absence of PTH, there can be muscle spasms, including the respiratory muscles, causing respiratory failure and leading to death.

3. The hormone cortisol

You've heard about steroids a lot. Usually steroids are often prescribed for anti-inflammatory or in the gym many times you hear people want to inject steroids to get into good shape. However, did you know that the body already has a natural steroid called the cortisol hormone?

Cortisol or glucocorticoids are the most abundant hormones released by the adrenal glands. The basic ingredient of this hormone is cholesterol. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, because this hormone is released especially when our bodies are under stress.

The function of the hormone cortisol is very important in metabolism and the body's immune system. Unlike insulin, the hormone cortisol is metabolic (breaks down).

The presence of the hormone cortisol in the blood can increase the breakdown of food reserves in the body, so that blood sugar, fat and amino acids will increase in the blood, so that these materials can be a source of energy in stressful situations.

4. The hormone aldosterone

The hormone aldosterone may be heard less frequently than cortisol. Aldosterone is also secreted by the adrenal glands and has an important role in the balance of sodium (salt) and potassium ions in the body. Aldosterone will be produced when the sodium level in the blood is reduced or the blood potassium level is excessive.

This hormone causes sodium to be reabsorbed by kidney cells and excretion of potassium into the urine. Reabsorption of sodium is followed by absorption of water from the kidneys.

Through this mechanism there is sodium storage and an increase in body fluids which results in an increase in blood pressure.

The absence of aldosterone can cause the body to lose sodium and water, as well as an increase in potassium levels which are dangerous because they can cause rapid death.