European Hormone Day: nature, function, disease… 5 things to know about the endocrine system

Journée européenne des hormones : 5 choses à savoir sur le système endocrinien

On the occasion of European Hormone Day, the French Society of Endocrinology (SFE) wants to raise awareness among the general public of the vital importance of hormones for health. At the origin of many diseases, the endocrine system deserves to be taken care of. The SFE explains how.

What are hormones ?

Hormones are substances produced by the endocrine glands. These are chemical messengers that tell cells or organs what to do. Hormones act on the development or functioning of one or more organs.

What are hormones for ?

Very numerous, they all have a specific main function: to make us grow, to develop, to manage stress, to stay in shape and in good health, to control metabolism, to act on sexuality, sleep, hunger, mood, regulate blood sugar…

What is the endocrine system ?

The organs and glands form the endocrine system which, through the secretion of hormones, coordinate the body's activity via the blood circulation.

The glands and main associated hormones are:

The ovaries: estrogen, progesterone The testicles: testosterone Adipose tissue: leptin The pancreas: insulin The adrenal glands: adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol The parathyroid glands: parathyroid hormone The thyroid: thyroxine The pineal gland: melatonin The pituitary gland: growth hormone, prolactin The hypothalamus: oxytocin, anti-diuretic hormone

What is an endocrine disease ?

Endocrine diseases are characterized by too low or too high levels of one or more hormones. A situation causing a pathology or disorder. thyroid, osteoporosis, precocious puberty, fertility disorders, obesity, hypertension, growth disorders are linked (or sometimes linked) to the abnormal level of a hormone in the body and therefore to the dysfunction of the body. an endocrine gland.

Our environment can be directly responsible for an endocrine disorder. According to the French Society of Endocrinology, more than 1,500 critical components in plastics contribute to the incidence of many endocrine cancers, obesity, diabetes, thyroid diseases, osteoporosis and infertility. More specifically regarding cancers, hormones play a role in the proliferation of cancer cells when the cancer is hormone dependent or hormone sensitive. This is particularly the case for many breast and prostate cancers. This is also the case for endometrial cancer, thyroid cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.

More than 400 rare diseases are linked to the endocrine system.

What are the 10 recommendations of the French Society of Endocrinology for taking care of your hormones ?

1 – Exercise (1.5 to 2.5 hours per week)

2 – Eat healthily (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, reduction of processed foods)

3 – Get enough sleep (at least 7 hours per night without interruption)

4 – Ensure your vitamin D intake (oily fish, possible supplementation in winter)

5 – Eat foods rich in iodine (seafood, seaweed, eggs, dairy products)

6 – Consume foods rich in calcium (yogurt, almonds, beans, dark leafy green vegetables)

7 – Avoid tap water…)

8 – Improve air quality (vacuum, ventilate, dust against endocrine disruptors)

9 – Be careful with cleaning products and cosmetics (avoid phthalates, parabens and triclosan)

10 – Consult your doctor in case of: unexplained weight gain or loss, sensitivity to cold, change in appetite, brittle hair and nails, fatigue, scaly skin, onset of depression, excessive thirst, signs of early puberty, loss of libido, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility.