Interesting Facts About Our Endocrine System

By: Janet Hunt

The endocrine system is a network of glands that secrete hormones to support bodily functions like growth and sexual development, metabolism, homeostasis, response to stimuli, and reproduction. Hormones can affect how we manage stress and even how our body breaks down food. The glands in this network include: hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, reproductive glands, pancreas, pineal and more.

Below is a little trivia about the endocrine system:

• The terms “endocrine” and “endocrinology” did not come into regular use until the 1800s, but the study of endocrinology in China dates as far back as 200 BCE.
• Hippocrates first diagnosed diabetes as an endocrine disorder. He tasted his patients’ urine to detect the sweetness. YUCK!!!
• Organs that are not part of the endocrine system also produce and secrete hormones. For example, the stomach releases ghrelin, a hunger inducing hormone, and gastrin, a hormone that stimulates gastric acid secretion.
• Modern endocrinology got its start in the 1900s. The scientific origin is attributed to a French physiologist, Claude Bernard, known chiefly for his discoveries concerning the role of the pancreas in digestion, the glycogenic function of the liver, and the regulation of the blood supply by the vasomotor nerves.
• The body makes around 30 different hormones.
• Endocrine glands’ secretion is precise and intricate. The effects may be combined with those of the nervous system and immune system.

As you can see our body and its functions are very dependent on many precise steps and many hormones. We humans are playing very dangerous games when we make changes to our environment, our foods, the air we breathe, etc. All these changes can affect our bodily functions and our overall quality of life.
By: Janet Hunt
Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment.