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Rusty_Gunn
A writer of futurist stories. Self Improvement Disciple, Dreamtrapreneur, Rephraser of podcast knowledge:

NASM Chapter 2 Continued (Endocrine System)

The concept of free will.

Whoa that’s a loaded and thorough concept.

Do we actually have free will? Or are actions dictated by a number of internal and external stimuli that generate our choices?

Honestly, I don’t have time to expand upon that.

What I do have time to expand upon is the Endocrine System.

Which is a system comprised of Glands (Host Organs),Hormones (Chemical Messangers), Target Cells (Receptors),to regulate Body Functions such as

  • Mood
  • Growth and Development
  • Tissue Function
  • Metabolism

Endocrine literally means Hormone Secreting

The primary Endocrine Glands (Host Organs) are:

  • Hypothalamus- Also controls function of the other Endocrine Glands, but not as much as the Pituitary.
  • Pituitary- The MASTER gland. Controls the Function of the other Endocrine Glands. Comprised of 3 sections (Lobes). Anterior, intermediate, posterior. Each different lobes secretes a Specific Hormone.
  • Thyroid- Produces hormones that Regulate Metabolism. Which affects Growth and Rate of Function of many other Systems in the Body.
  • Adrenal- Your body’s response to stress. Releases Corticosteroids, Catecholamines, Which can be further subdived into Adrenaline (Epinephrine) and Cortisol
  • Pancreas- Releases the hormones Insulin and Glucagon. These hormones regulate the control of Blood Glucose.

Since the Pituitary Gland is the master. Let’s expand upon that. As mentioned before it is comprised of 3 different lobes (sections). Which are the Anterior, Intermediate, and Posterior.

The Anterior Lobe secretes

  • Prolactin- Stimulates milk production after giving birth
  • Adrenocorticotropic(ACTH)- Which stimulates the Adrenal Glands.
  • Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)- To activate the Thyroid
  • Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)- Controls function of the Testes and Ovaries.
  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH)- Which also stimulates the Testes and Ovaries.

So what this illustrates is how important the Pituitary gland is. The above list was created from just the Anterior Lobe. Also please note how crucial the testes, and ovaries are.

Now let’s go to the middle of the Pituitary gland with the Intermediate Lobe. Which secretes:

  • Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone- Controls skin pigmentation

The last part of the Pituitary gland is the Posterior Lobe secretes:

  • Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)- To increase the amount of water absorbed by the kidneys, and places it in the blood.
  • Oxytocin- To contract the Uterus during child birth and Stimulate Milk Production.

There was a reddit post about a man who takes a pregnancy test and it yielded a positive result. The man joked about it saying “Haha I am pregnant!” But that post generated comments saying he should get himself checked out by a physician. Turns out that the test revealed he had a hormone unbalance caused by a testicular tumor. Which is why he had a high level of pregnancy hormones. The story ended nicely, because the tumor was caught early enough to prevent further harm.

INSULIN, GLUCAGON, and there affect on Blood Glucose.

Remember the function of muscle, brain function, how much energy it uses? Well to generate that energy we need certain things. A potential source of that could be Carbohydrates more specifically Glucose. Too much Glucose is detrimental and dangerous, but at the same time too little inhibits performance. After you eat and the meal is undergoing digestion, Glucose enters your body through your Small Intestine. Which by proximity blood flows through the Pancreas, and the pancreas responds to the raise in glucose by creating Insulin.

The Pancreas balances Blood Glucose levels with the use of Insulin, and Glucagon.

Insulin (-)- Causes a drop in Glucose in the Blood Glucose levels. Insulin activates cells in the Liver, Muscles, and Fat Tissue, to absorb glucose from the blood and stores them for future use.

While as conversely, to little Blood Glucose is addressed by Glucagon.

Glucagon (+)- it activates the glycogen stores in the Liver, and sub-sequentially the Muscles, and Fat Tissue. So Glucagon raises Blood Glucose. So fasting helps activate the Glucagon, and the use of stored Glucose.

So when you exert yourself, the blood glucose is depleted, because your muscles require that energy. Therefore insulin is lowered, and to keep that Blood Glucose level consistent, Glucagen is raised.

You can’t talk about the Endocrine system with out thinking of the exciting Fight or Flight response created by the Adrenal Glands. the “Fight or Flight” is the body’s response to threatening, or stressful situations. This response focuses on quick and powerful activation to remove or prepare for a fight, against whatever is stressing the body. This is done by Catecholamines.

There are two Catecholamines

  • Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
  • Norepinephrine

These balance each other out. But are responsible for:

  • Increased Heart Rate and Stroke Volume
  • Elevated Blood Glucose Levels
  • Redistributes Blood to Working Tissues
  • Opens up the Airways.

The Ovaries and the Testes define what it is to be Male and Female. however they both produce Estrogen and Testosterone

Males produce 10 times the Testosterone than Females.

Testosterone- is a fundamental hormone for growth and repair of tissue. Raised Testosterone levels are indicative to Anabolic (Tissue Building) training status

Estrogen- has many functions, but has particular influence on fat deposition around the hips, buttocks, and Thighs. And is responsible for breast development, and regulation of menstrual cycle.

Cortisol aka the Stress Hormone.

Opposite to Testosterone.

It Breaks down tissues. This is caused by:

  • Over training
  • Excessive Stress
  • Poor Sleep
  • Inadequate Nutrition

But why would I want to have Cortisol? Because “Revolutions destroy the perfect, and allow the impossible”- Seth Godin. Your Muscles if supplied with proper nutrients will rebuild bigger and stronger than before. This is why you need cortisol.

GH or Growth Hormone. Released by the Pituitary Gland and regulated by the near by Hypothalamus. it is stimulated by several factors such as:

  • Estrogen
  • Testosterone
  • Deep Sleep
  • Vigorous Exercise

It increases the development of bone,muscle and protein synthesis. Increases fat burning and strengthens the immune system.

Lastly the Thyroid

Again it is regulated by the Pituitary gland, and primarily deals with the regulation of Metabolism.

There is a Family Guy episode where Stewie says “Well least this is better than my old job of following fat guys around with a tuba!” Stewie plays the tuba and follows a fat guy. The fat man responds “HEY! Stop it! I have a Thyroid condition.”

Which is valid because Low functioning Thyroid can lead to Fatigue, Depression, Sensitivity to Cold, and Weight Gain.

So all in all, during strength training, and moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise growth hormones increase (Testosterone) but over training also leads to higher levels of Cortisol. listen to your body, but you’ve got to find the balance.

When there is too much cortisol your body becomes Catabolic. which means it is in a state of Breakdown

which can outstrip any Anabolic gains you are trying to accomplish.

BLAMO there you have the Endocrine system in action.

Thank you for reading.