Endocrine System Balancing & Orchestrating Health
By Jhoane Robinson
Our endocrine system plays a vitally important role in our body system. It works hard to keep everything functioning like it’s supposed to. The endocrine system is like an orchestra made up of many instruments following an intricate musical score, each instrument playing its part to create beautiful music. If any instrument is out of tune from the other instruments, or playing out of sync, then the music itself is thrown out of balance.
It’s that way with our endocrine system. When any part of the endocrine system isn’t functioning in harmony with the other parts, our health is thrown out of balance.
What is the Endocrine System?
The endocrine system is a network of hormone-producing glands and organs that regulate every biological process in your body. It starts doing its work at conception and never stops throughout our entire lives. Our brains and nervous systems, development of our reproductive systems, metabolism, and many more functions in our bodies were being regulated by our endocrine systems before we were even born!
Parts of the Endocrine System
The endocrine system is made up of the pineal, hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and parathyroid, thymus, pancreas, adrenals, ovaries, and testes.
These glands all work together, communicating back and forth with hormones that are sent throughout the body as messengers, signaling actions and reactions that keep our bodies ticking along. Some of our endocrine glands, parts of our body’s “orchestra,” work very closely together in a ‘Dual Axis’ fashion, specifically the HPT Axis and the HPA Axis. The endocrine system glands involved in these two very important Axis’ are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands. Let’s take a closer look at each one individually.
Pituitary Gland
The "master gland” of the endocrine system, controlling many of the functions of the other endocrine glands, the pituitary gland is quite tiny, no larger than a pea, and is located at the base of the middle brain.
The pituitary gland regulates growth, metabolism, and reproduction through the hormones that it produces.
Hypothalamus
Located in the center of your middle brain, the hypothalamus’ main role is to keep your body in a state of health called homeostasis through proper hormone levels. As different systems and parts of the body send signals to your brain, they alert the hypothalamus about imbalances that need addressing. The hypothalamus then sends endocrine hormones out to stimulate the right endocrine activity needed.
The hypothalamus helps regulate heart rate, body temperature, hunger, and the sleep-wake cycle.
Thyroid Gland
Located at the base of your frontal neck, the thyroid influences every organ system and function of your body, including metabolism, bone health, and immunity. The thyroid is your body’s internal thermostat.
Thyroid hormonal imbalances affect more than 13 million people in the United States, mostly women between the ages of 30-50.
Adrenal Gland
The two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney, make steroid hormones, such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. These hormones help control heart rate, blood pressure, regulate metabolism and are the center of your body’s stress response.
Adrenal fatigue is a common issue in our highly stressed and overstimulating world.
The Endocrine “Orchestra” Working Together:
HPT Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis)
Working as the thyroid homeostasis control, the HPT Axis helps maintain normal levels of thyroid hormone, which is essential for regulating metabolism, growth, reproduction, cardiovascular, bone, and liver function, and energy.
HPT Imbalance
When the HPT Axis is out of balance, it can throw the thyroid off, which can result in an imbalance in thyroid hormone production and metabolism.
HPA Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis)
Connected to both the central nervous system and the endocrine system, the HPA Axis regulates many body processes, including digestion, immune function, mood and emotions, sexuality, and energy use. It affects the stress response and releases adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol into the bloodstream in response to stress or pressure of any form.
HPA Imbalance
When the HPA Axis is overstimulated from extreme stress, both physical and emotional imbalances can develop. Elevated cortisol levels can suppress immune function, and influence weight gain, blood sugar/insulin imbalances, and cardiovascular stress. Long-term high cortisol levels also can affect memory and mood, including stress-related syndromes.
More on Stress:
Stress can be physical, emotional, or mental. When stress occurs, triggering our ‘fight or flight responses, adrenal gland hormones stimulate our cardiovascular and nervous systems and suppress our immune and digestive systems.
Ongoing, harmful effects from long-term stress suppress the body’s ability to recuperate and cause the adrenals to work excessively hard. This throws our HPA Axis off its delicate balance.
Stress to the mind and body can affect food metabolism leading to weight gain as well as causing issues with your energy levels and throwing off your sleep cycles. The adrenal glands and HPA Axis also directly affect blood pressure, heart health, and our nerves. Stress is often a contributing factor in difficulties with focusing and mental function.
Burnout, fatigue, low physical and/or mental energy, brain fog, difficulty with mental focus, blue moods, mood swings... Each of these can be a sign that you are experiencing adrenal exhaustion, often the result of exposure to long-term stress.
How Can We Balance Our Endocrine Systems Naturally?
Make Some Lifestyle Changes!
- Stress management is essential!
- Breathe!
- Meditate!
- Spend time in Nature!
- Exercise!
- Drink plenty of pure water.
- Balance your diet – Eat a healthy diet of whole fiber-rich foods, organic when possible.
- Avoid endocrine disruptors – plastics, chemicals, excess alcohol, halogens (chlorine, fluoride, and bromide), treated water, beverages, and foods, etc.
- Dietary Supplements – Essential Fatty Acids, B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, which is a hormone. Vitamin D supplementation helps not only Vitamin D deficiency, but hormone balance.
Nature’s Support Essential for Endocrine System Balance:
Nascent Iodine – Benefits Thyroid, Immune Function, & Overall Health
Iodine is essential for your thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, as well as for overall endocrine function, metabolic balance, immune function, cardiovascular health, healthy DNA integrity, and healthy fetal development. Every cell in your body needs iodine, so supplementing your diet daily with a totally alcohol-free mono-element supplement of Nascent Iodine supports not only your thyroid’s ability to function at its best, but also helps with all aspects of your health.
Cedar Bear’s Nascent Iodine is easily absorbed and utilized by the body, is gentle, non-toxic, and a wonderful addition to your daily health support and for all members of your family, including your pets!
In fact, Cedar Bear’s totally alcohol-free Nascent Iodine was the first of its kind in the industry and is still unmatched in its uniqueness and quality!
Herbal Formulas by Cedar Bear to Help Balance Your Endocrine System:
The Endocrine System Responds Well to Herbal Supplementation! Often, your endocrine system just needs the right nutritional building blocks.
Adrenal Balance for Adults
Adrenal Exhaustion, Stress, & Mental Focus
Brainy & Bright for Kids - Helps with Focus, Stress, Calming
With a special combination of adaptogenic and nervine herbs that work together to support the endocrine system’s HPA Axis, Adrenal Balance by Cedar Bear helps strengthen your body’s ability to handle stress, rejuvenates your overall health and vitality, and calms the nervous system. (Kids also experience HPA Axis imbalance.)
If you find yourself drained, exhausted, experiencing mental focusing issues, brain fog, or feel like you have lost your ‘get up and go,’ Adrenal Balance will help you get it back!
Thyro Boost - Activates & Builds the Thyroid
The thyroid is your body’s internal thermostat and regulates temperature and metabolism. Fatigue, low body temperature, and intolerance to cold temperatures may indicate a low-functioning thyroid. Thyro Boost has important naturally occurring nutrients that are necessary for healthy thyroid function.
Thyro Calm - Calms Overactive Thyroid & Metabolism
If your thyroid becomes overactive and releases too much of the thyroid hormones, your metabolism and body can go into too high a gear. Thyro Calm by Cedar Bear has herbs that can both support your thyroid’s health and help calm your endocrine system and your nervous system. With this calming support, your life can go back to a normal speed.
Ashwagandha Root (Withania somnifera)
A premier adaptogen, Ashwagandha helps rejuvenate endocrine system functions, strengthens your thyroid and adrenal glands, and helps overcome exhaustion from stress, overworking, nerves, and lack of sleep. Ashwagandha rejuvenates the reproductive system and energy in both men and women and strengthens the immune system.
Cedar Bear Nutritional Supplements Are Easy to Use!
Generally, the recommendation is ¼ teaspoon (2 droppers full), 1-3 times/day, or as needed. When you are working on balancing your endocrine system, you can increase the amount as needed.
Use them straight (they taste good), or put in water, juice, or a smoothie. They travel well, so take them with you!
Take care of your endocrine system with Cedar Bear supplements created especially for your health’s needs!
NOTE: Consult your health care provider for medical advice before use if pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition, particularly thyroid-based.
(These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.)
