Hormones 101: What Exactly Are Hormones and Why Do They Matter?
Hormones are chemical messengers that deliver essential information from one part of the body to another. They are critical for metabolism, growth, reproduction, mood, and more. Without them, our body’s processes would slow significantly.
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers produced in the body that deliver information between cells, tissues, organs, and glands. They regulate major processes — from metabolism and growth to reproduction and mood.
Where Do Hormones Come From?
Hormones are made from proteins or cholesterol in glands within the body.
The endocrine system is made up of:
Endocrine glands
The hormones it produces
The way hormone messages travel through the bloodstream to targeted tissues, cells, and other glands to accomplish functions like sleep, metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
The Key Endocrine Glands
Hypothalamus (in the brain)
Pituitary gland (in the brain)
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid glands
Thymus gland
Adrenal glands
Pancreas
Ovaries (in females)
Testes (in males)
Pineal gland (in the brain)
How Do Hormones Work?
Hormones and their receptors work like a lock and key. The hormones are like a key that fit into a specific receptor (or lock). Once the hormone is bound to its specific receptor, the hormone delivers its message and prompts the cell to take action - whether it is to produce energy, repair tissue, or prepare for ovulation.
High-Profile Hormones and What They Do
Cortisol – The Stress Regulator
Often called the “stress hormone,” cortisol plays a critical role in survival by influencing alertness, immune function, and inflammation. It’s produced by the adrenal glands and naturally peaks in the morning due to the Cortisol Awakening Response, helping you feel alert and ready for the day. It also helps to set your circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle.
However, chronic stress keeps cortisol elevated, disrupting digestion, reproduction, and blood sugar regulation — leading to symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, or stubborn weight gain.
Insulin – The Energy Shuttle
Produced by the beta cells in the pancreas, insulin’s main job is to move glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy. When cells become less responsive (a condition called insulin resistance), blood sugar stays elevated, increasing the risk for inflammation, fatigue, and metabolic issues.
Estrogen – The Feminine Powerhouse
Estrogens are a group of hormones vital for brain, heart, bone, skin, and reproductive health. Primarily made in the ovaries, smaller amounts are also produced in the liver, heart, brain, skin, and fat tissue.
The Three Main Types of Estrogen:
E1 (Estrone): Dominant after menopause.
E2 (Estradiol): The primary estrogen during reproductive years — key for ovulation and overall vitality.
E3 (Estriol): Produced during pregnancy by the placenta.
Estrogen enhances feminine features, supports libido, and helps us feel vibrant and confident.
Progesterone – The Calming Hormone
Produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation, progesterone prepares the uterine lining for pregnancy and also supports breast, heart, and nervous system health.
It has a soothing, calming effect on mood, supports restful sleep, and helps balance the stimulating effects of estrogen.
Testosterone – The Confidence Hormone
Although often labeled a “male hormone,” women produce testosterone too — in the ovaries, adrenals, fat, and muscle tissue.
It’s essential for libido, muscle tone, bone density, mood, and motivation. In fact, women make more androgens (like testosterone) than estrogen!
Thyroid Hormones – The Metabolic Masters
Known as the “get up and go” hormones, thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, body temperature, digestion, heart function, energy levels, and more.
The thyroid produces T4 (inactive) and T3 (active) hormones. T4 must be converted into T3 in the liver, kidneys, gut, and brain — which is why gut and liver health are essential for thyroid balance.
The pituitary gland releases Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) to tell the thyroid when to produce more T3 and T4.
Melatonin – The Sleep Hormone
Produced mainly by the pineal gland (and also in the gut, skin, and retina), melatonin helps regulate the circadian rhythm and supports bone, immune, and reproductive health.
Interestingly, the gut produces more melatonin than the brain, making gut health crucial for quality sleep and hormonal harmony.
The Hormone Command Center: The Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland
The hypothalamus acts as a bridge between your brain and endocrine system, releasing neurohormones like oxytocin and dopamine.
Working together with the pituitary gland, it controls most hormone activity in the body through a feedback loop.
For example: When thyroid hormones are low, the hypothalamus signals the pituitary to release TSH, which tells the thyroid to produce more T3 and T4. Once levels are balanced, the loop quiets again.
Hormone Homeostasis: Finding Your Balance
Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain internal stability — like temperature, appetite, and heart rate.
When hormones fall out of balance due to stress, poor nutrition, or lack of sleep, a domino effect can occur. Because hormones work as a team, it’s rare for only one to be off — imbalances often affect several systems at once.
Our modern lifestyles — filled with stress, caffeine, processed foods, and screen time — can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to symptoms such as:
Fatigue
Weight gain or loss
Acne or hair changes
Insomnia
Mood swings or anxiety
How to Support Hormone Homeostasis Naturally
You don’t need an extreme detox or a handful of supplements to balance your hormones. Often, simple nutrition and lifestyle shifts make the biggest impact.
Start with small, consistent changes:
Eat protein before caffeine in the morning
Hydrate first thing in the day
Get 10 minutes of morning sunlight
Prioritize sleep and stress management
Move your body daily
These foundational habits build the framework for long-term hormone health. Once you master one habit, add another — slow, sustainable change always wins.
Final Takeaways
Hormones are chemical messengers essential for every major body function.
They work together to maintain balance, energy, and vitality.
When one hormone is out of balance, others often follow.
Nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle habits are the foundation for restoring hormone harmony.
If you’re ready to dive deeper, check out my interactive guide, Fertility and Flow Foundations Plus, or book a 1:1 coaching session for personalized nutrition and hormone support.