hormones

• hormones


  travel through blood stream
• adrenaline


  • released from medulla adrenal gland
  • 'fight or flight'
  • air passages dilate to provide the muscles with oxygen required to fight danger or flee
  • fast
• testosterone


  • released from testes
  • causes development of male characteristics
  • puberty- facial hair growth, deepening voice, growth spurt
• melatonin


  • released from pineal gland (in brain)
  • controls sleep and wake cycles
  • high levels - mid to late evening
  • low levels- morning hours
  • affected by light, which can lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• oxytocin


  • social bonding, sexual reproduction and during and after child birth
  • released in response to stretching of uterus and cervix, during labour and with stimulation of nipples from breast feeding
• insulin


  • released from pancreas
  • allows body to use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates
  • keeps blood sugar level regulated- not too high or too low
• thyroxine


  • released from thyroid
  • heart and digestive function, metabolism, brain development, bone health and muscle control
  • affects almost all bodies systems - proper levels are vital for health