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| Drugs->Hormones: How Hormones Work |
Most hormones exist in very low concentrations in the bloodstream. Each hormone molecule travels through the blood until it reaches a cell with a receptor that it matches. Then, the hormone molecule latches onto the receptor and sends a signal into the cell. These signals may instruct the cell to multiply, to make proteins or enzymes, or to perform other vital tasks.
Some hormones can even stimulate a cell to release other hormones. However, no single hormone affects all cells in the same way. One hormone, for example, may stimulate a cell to perform one task, while the same hormone can have an entirely different influence over another cell. The response of some cells to hormonal stimulation also may change throughout life.
Hormone supplements, particularly if taken without medical supervision, may adversely affect this complex system. These supplements, for instance, may not behave exactly the same way as our own naturally produced hormones have because the body may process them differently.
In addition, natural hormone production isn’t constant, so circulating blood levels may vary significantly over a 24-hour period. Hormone supplements can’t replicate these fluctuations. As a result, high doses of supplements, whether pills, gels, skin patches, or shots, may result in excessive and unhealthy amounts of hormones in the blood. Hormone supplements also may compound any negative effects caused by hormones naturally produced by the body.
Finally, most of the processes in the body are tightly controlled and regulated. Too much stimulation can elicit natural responses to inhibit a hormone’s action. The body’s system of checks and balances is complicated and the notion that hormone supplements can improve function may be an oversimplification.
<==Can Hormones Prevent Aging? | What is a Hormone? | Heed The Warnings | How Hormones Work | DHEA | Growth Hormones | Melatonin | Testosterone | Menopausal Hormones==>
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