The human body is made of complex cellular organisation. This complex structure constantly strives to maintain a constant balance of the internal environment in the body what we call as ‘Homeostasis’. Homeostasis is essential for successful performance of basic life functions, longevity and good health. A very essential body system which plays an integral part to maintain this homeostasis is the endocrine system. Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make hormones. The major endocrine glands are the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas. In addition, men produce hormones in their testes and women produce them in their ovaries.
Hormones are chemicals (sometimes described as chemical messengers) that are produced from the endocrine
system. In simple terms, hormones act as ‘messengers’ by moving around the body then conveying instructions to the cells they interact with. Hormones can affect many aspects of the body and its state of health, such as growth and development (including puberty), Metabolism including metabolic rate, Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and the risk of obesity, physical appearance (including body shape), reproduction, sexual function, emotions and emotional responses.