Descriptionary

adrenalin also known as epinephrine, the fight-or- flight hormone released by the adrenal glands during times of stress, fear, anger, or loud noise. The release of the hormone increases heart rate and boosts the supply of oxygen and glucose throughout the brain and body.

anabolic steroid a class of steroids involved in mus­cle and bone growth and development.

androgen one of various masculinizing steroid hor­mones, most notably testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and DHEA. Androgens help build and maintain bone and muscle and contribute to overall energy levels, skin elasticity, sex drive, and cardiovascular health.

androgen dominance a too-high ratio of andro- gens to estrogen or progesterone, which causes acne, greater facial and body hair, and possible premature balding.

andropause in middle-aged males, the rough equiv­alent to female menopause, with falling testosterone and DHEA levels causing increasing fatigue, fat pro­duction, muscle loss, and sleep disturbances.

bioidentical hormone a hormone made from plants such as soy and synthesized to mimic those produced naturally in the human body.

catecholamine a class of hormones, including epi- nephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, produced in the adrenal glands and released in stressful situations, as in a fight-or-flight situation or when blood sugar levels are low. Dopamine is also involved in generat­ing the pleasurable feelings that come with rewarding experiences, especially involving food, sex, or drugs.

cortisol produced by the adrenal cortex, a stress hormone that, among other things, raises blood pres­sure and blood sugar and is involved in the deposition of fat.

DHEA dehydroepiandrosterone, an adrenal gland hormone that is converted to androgens and estrogen and is involved in maintaining stamina and energy levels as well as mental well-being.

dihydrotestosterone a more powerful form of testosterone that acts as a masculinizing force and, among other things, is implicated in male pattern baldness and prostate trouble.

endocrine system collective term for all of the body's glands that produce and secrete hormones.

endocrinology the medical field that deals with the body's glands and the hormones they secrete.

estradiol a form of estrogen that is involved in sex­ual behavior, breast development, and bone growth. According to the latest scientific studies, women with the highest levels of estradiol tend to have hourglass figures, are more self-confident, and are more likely to cheat on their long-term partners.

estrogen in women, produced primarily in the ovaries, and which includes estradiol, estrsone, and estriol, primarily female hormones responsible for everything from breast development to regulation of the menstrual cycle.

finger length ratio the ratio of length between the ring finger and the index finger, a proven indicator of testosterone exposure during fetal development and the consequent masculinization or feminization of some traits throughout life. Men typically have longer ring than index fingers, while the finger lengths in women are the same or the index finger is slightly longer. Longer ring finger lengths have been strongly correlated with assertiveness, aggressiveness, success in sports and the stock market, along with a higher probability of bisexuality.

follicle-stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary, a hormone involved in the development of puberty and in reproduction.

gastrin produced in the stomach, a hormone that stimulates the release of gastric acid or hydrochloric acid, to aid in the digestion of food.

ghrelin a hormone that, along with leptin, stimulates appetite. It is made in the stomach and pancreas.

gonadatrophic hormone secreted by the pituitary, a hormone that stimulates the ovaries and the testes.

human growth hormone (HGH) secreted by the pituitary gland, a hormone best known for stimulat­ing height but is also involved in increasing muscle mass, the mineralization of bone, and the breakdown of fats.

hypothyroidism a deficiency in thyroid functioning, due most often to an imbalance with estrogen or with an iodine shortage, and characterized by an array of symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, hair thin­ning, low sex drive, depression, and the feeling of being cold.

insulin hormone secreted by the pancreas, allow­ing the body's cells to absorb glucose and produce energy.

insulin resistance an abnormality in which tissue responds insufficiently to insulin and fails to take up glucose, from which energy is produced, resulting in a broad array of symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, sleepiness, weight gain, and high blood sugar. Long-term problems often lead to type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.