The endocrine system is a series of glands. These glands produce and secrete hormones that the body uses for a wide range of functions. These control many different bodily functions, including: Respiration, Metabolism. Reproduction, Sensory Perception, Movement, Sexual Development, and Growth.
What We Focus On:
- Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is responsible for body temperature, hunger, moods, and the release of hormones from other glands. It also controls thirst, sleep, and sex drive. Your hunger, moods, thirst, and sleep all have an influence on your weight level.
- Pancreas: This gland produces insulin that helps control blood sugar levels. Blood sugar & Insulin and can be tied to diabetes
- Adrenal: Adrenal glands produce the hormones that control sex drive and cortisol, the stress hormone. A higher stress level can often manifest in weight gain
- Pineal: This gland produces melatonin which affects sleep. Too much or too little sleep can have an adverse effect on your energy level, stress, etc. which can all be tied to weight gain or weight loss.
- Thyroid: The thyroid can produce hormones associated with calorie burning and heart rate. This regulates the way your body burns calories has a direct influence on weight gain or loss.
The endocrine system controls aspects of metabolism and hormone production and, therefore, can play a role in a patient’s weight by influencing appetite, fat accumulation, blood sugar and energy levels
Also tied to your hormones and endocrine system is excessive eating: excessive eating is an addiction. Once you develop a pattern of consuming a diet high in sugar, it stimulates your brain and you become addicted to it. You want more and more of the same diet and when you try to stop, you get withdrawal symptoms and cravings in the same way as drugs like cocaine and heroin.