#t4 cells

[humancelltournament]

Human Cell Tournament Round 1

Propaganda!

A killer T cell is a T lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) that kills cancer cells, cells that are infected by intracellular pathogens (such as viruses or bacteria), or cells that are damaged in other ways. Most cytotoxic T cells express T-cell receptors (TCRs) that can recognize a specific antigen. An antigen is a molecule capable of stimulating an immune response and is often produced by cancer cells, viruses, bacteria or intracellular signals. Antigens inside a cell are bound to class I MHC molecules, and brought to the surface of the cell by the class I MHC molecule, where they can be recognized by the T cell. If the TCR is specific for that antigen, it binds to the complex of the class I MHC molecule and the antigen, and the T cell destroys the cell.

In biology, histones are highly basic proteins abundant in lysine and arginine residues that are found in eukaryotic cell nuclei and in most Archaeal phyla. They act as spools around which DNA winds to create structural units called nucleosomes. Nucleosomes in turn are wrapped into 30-nanometer fibers that form tightly packed chromatin. Histones prevent DNA from becoming tangled and protect it from DNA damage. In addition, histones play important roles in gene regulation and DNA replication. Without histones, unwound DNA in chromosomes would be very long. For example, each human cell has about 1.8 meters of DNA if completely stretched out; however, when wound about histones, this length is reduced to about 90 micrometers (0.09 mm) of 30 nm diameter chromatin fibers.

[midnightdesire12am]

Here's this old art of Stephen the Bacteriophage

this is not how he looks like anymore, as I don't like this design (I feel like the colors are clunky and don't match very well together. I feel like the kitsune part doesn't work well for this design. Or the dragon)

I made this when I was like 14 😭

[beastwars-transformers]

Continuously pinching myself to not write a full medical report on the stupid robot virus

[revvywevvy]

HERE COMES ANOTHER AU WITH THE STEEL CHAIR

First the childhood friends to lovers AU, now my minds on a modern AU,,,,,, what would that even be like???????? ig it would be similar to tekken right????? IDEK ANYTHING ABT TEKKEN THO ALL IK IS THERES FIGHTING, FAMILY DRAMA AND BOTH SC AND TEKKEN WERE MADE BY NAMCO............... SFHGSFGSHS-

ive got the brainworms bad these AUs keep jumping around one after the other lool

[virtual-minotaur]

i need to get giantmicrobes at some point. definitely t4 bacteriophage. and maybe autism brain or neuron. and killer t cell for my dad.

the dreadful t4 bacteriophage ^

[yanderemommabean]

UPDATE-

So, according to my doctor, they more or less can't think of anything to do with my low blood pressure and high pulse rate. I brought up POTS, my loss of appetite, my fatigue, my nausea, my horrible headaches, bad migraines, how I'm easily winded and out of breath- just the whole list of things. I got some blood results back, I have a high white blood cell count, high lymphocyte count, and a high level of T4. So far that's sounding more like a pituitary and thyroid issue. Called my doctors as soon as I could, they weren't able to get back with me on any of this because of the holiday (yay -_-)

and at the appointment they more or less recommended going to my heart specialist and seeing them, which I can only hope they'll, y'know, LISTEN to me and my worries.

When I can get back with my doctor about all the other stuff ill update y'all! I'm sure it isn't anything to bad, but I was just letting you beans know!

-Mommabean

[sadapplex]

Guys apple is back on they science bullshit I wanna make some cells at work style characters but based off bacteria bc there are types of viruses called bacteriophages that litereally replicate inside a cell so much that it inflates and explodes and there is something about that that feels feederism coded. Anyways here’s an e.coli girl and her t4 bacteriophage enabler lol

[sorrydupuis]

ton blog m'a donné envie de me mettre à spirou. Tu aurais des tomes à conseiller pour commencer ?

Wahh je suis trop contente d’entendre ça ! Et oui bien sûr :3 Sous un read more vu que c’est devenu un peu plus long que prévu

Deja tu peux lire tous les tomes de Spirou et Fantasio sur VK

Je recommande évidemment de commencer par la période Franquin vu que c’est celle qui pose les bases de l’univers. Même si le personnage a eu des aventures avant dessinées par Rob Vel puis Jijé, je trouve que c’est plus intéressant de revenir sur ces périodes une fois qu’on a une vue d’ensemble sur la série.

Les tomes essentiels/préférés pour moi sont :

T2 Il y a un sorcier à Champignac

T4 Les héritiers (Zantafio ❤️)

T7 Le dictateur et le champignon (ZANTAFIOOO 😻)

T9 La mauvaise tête

T15 Z comme Zorglub & T16 L’ombre du Z (c’est un diptyque)

T17 Spirou et les Hommes Bulles (surtout parce que la deuxième aventure c’est Spirou et les petits formats et elle est juste trop mignonne 😭❤️)

T18 QRN a Bretzelburg

Bien sûr si l’univers te plaît tu peux lire le reste des albums de Franquin puisque beaucoup de choses y font référence plus tard dans les albums des autres auteurs. Et puis aussi c’est bien :)

Ensuite dans la période Fournier mes préférés sont :

T22 L’abbaye truquée

T23 Tora Torapa

T28 & T29 Kodo le Tyran et Des haricots partout (un autre diptyque)

Fournier a un style un peu plus fantastique que Franquin, ça se voit surtout dans ses décors que je trouve époustouflants surtout dans ces quatre albums. Le diptyque aussi a des moments trop mignons entre S&F arghhh 😭 ❤️

Tu peux passer la période Nic & Cauvin parce qu’elle est sans plus.

Ensuite la période Tome et Janry (T33 - T46) est juste INCROYABLE je conseille de tout lire. Genre vraiment. Tout est excellent 🔥 Mention spéciale à la Vallée des Bannis et Vito la déveine YAOI COCAINE

La période Morvan et Munuera n’est pas incroyable non plus, je conseille de la zapper. Ils essaient de sortir du moule un peu mais entre les scènes d’action insupportables de Munuera et les romances pourries manufacturées par Morvan ça donne juste un résultat bcp trop tryhard et CRINGE

Après la période Yoann & Vehlmann est cool ils font des trucs intéressants avec les persos mais je ne suis pas vraiment fan du graphisme de Yoann. Il n’y a que 5 tomes et ils sont assez courts donc je conseille de les lire aussi 👍

Le tome 56 la mort de Spirou est vraiment excellent par contre, je le recommande vivement.

Après en dehors de la série principale il a le Spirou c’est une série ou différents auteurs peuvent faire du Spirou à leur sauce. Pas obligé d’avoir lu la série principale pour les lire, voire au contraire puisque la plupart des Spirou de s’éloignent de l’univers ‘classique’ de Spirou.

Je recommande TRÈS CHAUDEMENT!!!!! Le Spirou de Schwartz et Yann (Le Groom vert de gris et La femme léopard partie 1 & 2) parce qu’ils sont top et très touchants et franchement. Yann et Schwartz ship clairement Spirou et Fantasio… ils passent leur temps à se faire des câlins et y a pas 3 pages sans une blague/allusion sur leur statut de couple c’est trop mignon aurghh 😭

J’ai beaucoup aimé aussi le Spirou de Fabrice Tarrin La crypte de Champignac et Spirou chez les Soviets. Je trouve qu’il a vraiment une bonne idée des personnages et j’adore son style de dessin.

Il y a le Spirou d’Emile Bravo (Le journal d’un ingénu et L’espoir malgré tout en 4 tomes) qui est aussi excellent, extrêmement bien écrit. Mais S&F sont assez loin du Spirou et du Fantasio dont on a l’habitude.

J’espère que ça t’aidera désolée pour cet énorme pavé 😭 mais une fois que je suis lancée je peux pas me taire ❤️ j’espère que tu aimeras la série !!!

[neuronary]

my microbiology tutorial lead: this is a really good essay, you're just missing some details about bacteriophage t4 and the sheath contraction mechanics for cell entry

me, who heard the phrase 'sheath contraction' and got so horny i nearly passed out: i think i hauve covid

[ausetkmt]

Stargazing is an accessible activity for families and a perfect excuse to introduce children to astronomy. To begin, parents can teach their kids basic information about the cosmos, such as major constellations, planets, comets and the Moon.

This is a perfect time to explore the night sky. With most businesses and stores closed in cities worldwide, the stars shine brighter, and it’s easier to see them due to reduced light pollution. Here are some ideas to get started as a family:

All you need is a view of the sky and a pair of eyes, although binoculars and affordable telescopes can enhance the experience.

A pair of 7×50 binoculars, the most popular size, is ideal for observing stars. As for family telescopes, the two main types are refractors and reflectors that focus starlight using mirrors. The key features to look for in a telescope are high-quality lenses, a sturdy mount, and a set of three eyepieces that you can use to change the magnification.

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Here we list the last comets that you will be able to see with your family from home, you will only have 4 opportunities this year.

Bright comets you can see in the night sky this year

Updated: 11-July-2023

The following table displays the currently visible bright comets as well as the upcoming comets expected to exhibit brightness in the future (with a magnitude above 11.5 and one year in advance). It provides information about each comet’s maximum visibility, brightness level, and the latitude range from which it can be observed during that peak.

Comets that have entered the outward phase (post-perihelion) are excluded from the table once their magnitude drops below 12th magnitude.

Additionally, an icon is provided next to the brightness values (magnitude) to suggest the minimum recommended instrument for observation. However, please note that this indication serves as a general guide and may vary depending on factors such as the comet’s characteristics, observing conditions, and the specific instrument used.

C/2021 T4 (Lemmon)

Comet Lemmon, also known as C/2021 A1 (Lemmon), is a comet that was discovered on January 3, 2021, by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona, United States. It was named after the observatory where it was first observed.

This comet is classified as a long-period comet, indicating that it originates from the Oort Cloud, a distant region of the solar system filled with icy bodies. Comet Lemmon has an elongated orbit that takes it far beyond the orbit of Neptune and brings it closer to the Sun during its perihelion.

The perihelion, which is the point in the comet’s orbit closest to the Sun, occurred on May 9, 2021, at a distance of about 0.73 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. After its perihelion passage, the comet began its journey back into the outer regions of the solar system.

Comet Lemmon has been visible primarily from the southern hemisphere, offering stargazers and astronomers in those regions an opportunity to observe its unique characteristics. It has exhibited a coma, a hazy cloud of gas and dust surrounding its nucleus, which is the solid core of the comet.

The coma is formed as the heat from the Sun causes the icy nucleus to vaporize and release gases and dust into space.

How bright will it be?

Although predictions about a comet’s brightness can be challenging, Comet Lemmon reached its peak magnitude of around 6 in late May 2021, making it visible to the naked eye under dark sky conditions. The comet will gradually fade and become more challenging to observe as it continues its journey away from the Sun.

Comets like Lemmon provide scientists with valuable insights into the composition and evolution of the early solar system. By studying their structure and composition, researchers can gather information about the formation of planets and the delivery of water and organic molecules to Earth.

Observing and studying comets like Lemmon serve as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system and the beauty of celestial objects that grace our night sky.

More about comets

Comets are celestial objects that originate from the distant regions of our solar system. Characterized by glowing heads and elongated tails, comets comprise a core, or nucleus, made up of rock, dust, and frozen gases. When they approach the Sun, their icy cores heat up, causing a glowing envelope of gas and dust, known as a coma, and often a tail, to form.

Classification of Comets

Comets divide into two main categories based on their orbital periods: short-period and long-period comets.

Short-period comets, also known as periodic comets, have orbits that take less than 200 years to complete. They usually trace their paths in the region of the solar system known as the Kuiper Belt. The most famous of these is Halley’s Comet, which reappears approximately every 76 years.

Long-period comets have more elongated orbits, taking more than 200 years to orbit the Sun, with some requiring thousands or even millions of years.

They generally originate from the Oort Cloud, a hypothetical spherical cloud enveloping the solar system at a distance approximately 1,000 to 100,000 astronomical units from the Sun.

Anatomy of a comet

Comets comprise three main parts: the nucleus, the coma, and the tail.

The Nucleus

The nucleus, the solid core of the comet, contains a mix of rock, dust, water ice, and frozen gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and ammonia. Its size can range from a few hundred meters to tens of kilometers in diameter.

The Coma

As a comet nears the Sun, solar heat evaporates the ices in its nucleus, leading to the formation of a large, glowing envelope of gas and dust called the coma. The Sun’s radiation also ionizes the coma, which can result in a type of glow distinct from that caused by reflected sunlight.

The Tail

Cometary tails form as solar radiation and solar wind exert pressure on the coma, blowing gas and dust away from the Sun to form two distinct tails — a dust tail and an ion tail. The dust tail, which reflects sunlight and often appears yellowish, follows a curved trajectory, while the ion tail, which glows due to fluorescence and usually appears bluish, points directly away from the Sun.

Observation and study of comets

Comets have been a subject of fascination for millennia, with records of their observations dating back to ancient civilizations. Astronomers observe comets to study the early solar system, as comets are ancient bodies that preserve the original materials from which the solar system formed.

Modern studies utilize a range of equipment from ground-based telescopes to space missions. Notable space missions to comets include NASA’s Stardust mission, which collected dust samples from Comet Wild 2 and returned them to Earth, and the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission, which deployed the Philae lander onto the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, marking the first successful landing on a comet.

Comets and life on Earth

Comets may have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth. Some theories suggest that comets could have delivered water and organic compounds — the building blocks of life — to the early Earth. The study of comets thus may provide vital clues about the origins and evolution of life.

Conclusion

Comets, these intriguing celestial travelers, have captivated human interest throughout history. They provide a crucial link to understanding the early solar system and potentially the origin of life on Earth.

As our technological abilities evolve, the continued exploration and study of comets promise to reveal even more about these remarkable objects and their place in our cosmic neighborhood.

[hyenaswine]

oh i just realized the radiation vet emailed me & included the results of bubo's bloodwork from wednesday (which my regular vet hasn't called me about yet)... T4 value is lower but still above normal, but that's ok as it's only been a month since treatment & it should continue to decrease with time. however it looks like he has a significant lympho- & leukocytosis (even higher than back in december when he had that upper respiratory infection) so like...... why. why's this guy making so many white blood cells. what's he DOING in there.

to address the weight loss they want me to "support extra caloric intake" & that makes me want to scream because he free feeds. he has access to a bottomless bowl of food 24 hours a day. it's not my fault if he can only eat hydrolyzed protein kibble & they apparently don't put enough calories in that stuff. i do not know how to put weight on him when he's allergic to everything good. i want to start an elimination diet but his fucking health is never stable long enough for me to feel okay trying it, because once his skin starts reacting to a food allergen it's so hard to get it back under control.

[humancelltournament]

Human Cell Tournament Round 1

Propaganda!

In molecular biology, CD4 (cluster of differentiation 4) is a glycoprotein that serves as a co-receptor for the T-cell receptor (TCR). CD4 is found on the surface of immune cells such as helper T cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. CD4+ T helper cells are white blood cells that are an essential part of the human immune system. They are often referred to as CD4 cells, T helper cells or T4 cells. They are called helper cells because one of their main roles is to send signals to other types of immune cells, including CD8 killer cells, which then destroy the infectious particle. If CD4 cells become depleted, for example in untreated HIV infection, or following immune suppression prior to a transplant, the body is left vulnerable to a wide range of infections that it would otherwise have been able to fight.

In cell biology, a vesicle is a structure within or outside a cell, consisting of liquid or cytoplasm enclosed by a lipid bilayer. Vesicles form naturally during the processes of secretion (exocytosis), uptake (endocytosis), and the transport of materials within the plasma membrane. Vesicles perform a variety of functions. Because it is separated from the cytosol, the inside of the vesicle can be made to be different from the cytosolic environment. For this reason, vesicles are a basic tool used by the cell for organizing cellular substances. Vesicles are involved in metabolism, transport, buoyancy control,[2] and temporary storage of food and enzymes. They can also act as chemical reaction chambers.

[crazyrtcrafts]

Hormones and Weight Gain: How to Regulate the Hormones that Influence Your Weight

Introduction:-

Hormones are one of the most important participants in this delicate dance, which involves many different aspects in maintaining a healthy weight. Hormones are endocrine system-produced chemical messengers that control a number of body processes, such as metabolism, appetite, and fat storage. Unbalanced hormones can lead to weight gain and make it difficult to lose the additional pounds. In this post, we'll examine the relationship between hormones and weight gain and look at methods for rebalancing these hormonal regulators.

Insulin: Master of Blood Sugar

The pancreas produces insulin, a crucial hormone that controls blood sugar levels. When we eat carbs, our bodies convert them to glucose, which raises blood sugar levels. Insulin aids in the movement of circulation glucose into or into the storage of glucose in cells. However, regular use of sugary meals and refined carbs can cause insulin resistance, in which cells lose their receptivity to insulin. Higher insulin levels are the result, and this might promote the storage of fat, particularly around the abdomen.

Fix: Opt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that have a gentler impact on blood sugar levels. Include protein and healthy fats in your meals to slow down the absorption of glucose. Engage in regular physical activity to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization.

Leptin: The Satiety Signal

Leptin, often called the "satiety hormone," is produced by fat cells and helps regulate appetite and metabolism. It signals the brain when you've had enough to eat, reducing hunger. However, in cases of obesity, the body can develop leptin resistance, leading to a lack of proper appetite regulation.

Fix: Focus on whole foods that are nutrient-dense to support healthy leptin levels. Prioritize sleep, as inadequate sleep can disrupt leptin production. Manage stress, as chronic stress can contribute to hormonal imbalances, including

leptin resistance.

Ghrelin: The Hunger Hormone

Ghrelin, produced in the stomach, is known as the "hunger hormone" because it stimulates appetite. It increases before meals and decreases after eating. Sleep deprivation and irregular eating patterns can lead to elevated ghrelin levels, causing overeating and weight gain.

Fix: Establish regular mealtimes to help regulate ghrelin secretion. Get sufficient sleep, as sleep deprivation can lead to higher ghrelin levels and increased hunger. Stay hydrated, as dehydration can sometimes be mistaken for hunger.

Cortisol: The Stress Hormone

Cortisol, released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, plays a vital role in metabolism and fat storage. Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which, over time, can contribute to weight gain, particularly around the midsection.

Fix: Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or spending time in nature. Engage in regular physical activity, which can help lower cortisol levels. Ensure adequate sleep, as sleep deprivation can further elevate cortisol levels.

Thyroid Hormones: Metabolic Regulators

Thyroid hormones, including T3 and T4, play a crucial role in regulating metabolism. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lead to weight gain, as it slows down metabolic processes.

Fix: Consume iodine-rich foods like seafood and seaweed to support thyroid function. Ensure you're getting enough selenium, zinc, and other nutrients that are essential for thyroid health. Consult a healthcare professional if you suspect thyroid issues. Weight Loss Solutions

Conclusion:-

In summary, hormones are important for controlling weight. You can aim to achieve a healthy weight and restore hormonal balance by adopting a holistic strategy that includes a balanced diet, regular physical activity, stress management, enough sleep, and seeing a specialist when necessary. Be patient and consistent as you implement these lifestyle modifications because every person's body is different.

[diet-with-swati]

Thyroid Diet Plan for Weight Loss | Hypothyroidism Diet Plan

A well-functioning thyroid is essential for overall health and well-being. The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, energy production, and even mood. When the thyroid is imbalanced, it can lead to weight fluctuations, fatigue, and other health concerns. But fear not! With a targeted thyroid diet plan, you can support your thyroid's optimal function and embark on a journey to better health. In this article, we unravel the mysteries of the thyroid and provide you with a practical and easy-to-follow Online Thyroid Diet Plan for Weight Loss to nurture your thyroid health & lose weight.

The Thyroid's Vital Role

The thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck, produces hormones that influence nearly every cell in the body. These hormones, namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), regulate metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and more.

Common Thyroid Disorders

✅  Hypothyroidism: When the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, it can result in weight gain, fatigue, and a slowed metabolism.

✅  Hyperthyroidism: Excessive thyroid hormone production can lead to weight loss, increased heart rate, and anxiety.

The Impact on Weight

Thyroid imbalances often manifest in weight-related issues. Hypothyroidism can contribute to weight gain, while hyperthyroidism may lead to weight loss. A well-planned Thyroid Diet Plan for Weight Loss can help address these concerns.

Fueling Your Thyroid with Nutrient-Rich Foods

✅  Embracing Iodine

Iodine is a key player in thyroid health, as it's an essential component of thyroid hormones. Incorporate iodine-rich foods like seaweed, seafood, dairy, and eggs into your diet.

✅  Selenium's Superpower

Selenium supports thyroid function and helps convert T4 into the active T3 hormone. Brazil nuts, fish, and whole grains are excellent sources of selenium.

✅  Smart Carbohydrates

Opt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. These provide sustained energy and prevent blood sugar spikes that can impact thyroid function.

✅  Lean Protein

Protein aids in tissue repair and metabolism. Include lean protein sources like poultry, fish, tofu, and beans in your diet.

✅  Healthy Fats

Essential fatty acids found in nuts, seeds, and fatty fish promote hormone balance and overall well-being.

✅  Tyrosine-Rich Foods

Lean meats, poultry, fish, tofu, and dairy products offer tyrosine, an amino acid crucial for thyroid hormone synthesis.

✅  Leafy Greens

Rich in vitamins and minerals, leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard support thyroid function.

✅  Colorful Fruits and Veggies

Vibrant produce is packed with antioxidants that combat inflammation and promote thyroid health.

✅  Zinc-Rich Foods

Zinc contributes to hormone production and immune function. Enjoy zinc-rich foods like nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Hydration and Hormones

✅  Staying Hydrated

Adequate hydration is vital for hormone production and overall health. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day.

✅  Limiting Goitrogens

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale contain compounds called goitrogens, which can interfere with thyroid function. However, you can still enjoy their health benefits by cooking them, which reduces the goitrogenic effects while preserving their nutritional value.

Mindful Eating for Thyroid Health

The Importance of Mindful Eating

Mindful eating involves savoring each bite, eating slowly, and paying attention to hunger and fullness cues. This practice can prevent overeating and support digestion.

Seeking Professional Guidance

When navigating dietary choices for thyroid health, it's prudent to seek guidance from a qualified dietitian. A dietitian can tailor a nutrition plan to your individual needs, considering factors like thyroid condition, overall health, and lifestyle. This personalized approach ensures you make informed choices, optimizing your diet to support thyroid function effectively. You can consult with renowned Dietitian Swati Singh for seeking any kind of help regarding thyroid.

Consult a Healthcare Professional

Before making significant dietary changes, consult a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your thyroid health and overall well-being.

Conclusion

By embracing a thyroid-friendly diet, you take a proactive step toward supporting your thyroid's optimal function. Through nutrient-rich foods, balanced macronutrients, and mindful eating practices, you can promote hormone balance, metabolism, and overall vitality. Remember, your thyroid deserves the best care, and with the right diet plan, you're well on your way to nurturing your thyroid health for a vibrant and energized life.

[neakitten]

This song has been a mood for YEARS and I feel like I'm finally close to an answer. I've been telling doctors about my fatigue since 2017. Every time they check my thyroid, my iron, blood cell counts, etc. I finally had a TSH outside the normal range. But they don't tell you biotin can make your T4 look higher and TSH look lower. And that it's in a lot of women's multivitamins. I checked my history and my TSH has been climbing since 2017, but never high enough on its own to get noticed. So Monday I'm getting retested without my vitamins, adding an antibody test to check for Hashimoto's, and starting on a conservative dose of hypothyroid meds. I'm so relieved I could cry, but I'm also having a bad symptom day, so I'm practically counting down the hours.

All this is to say, keep trying. Keep advocating for yourself. Don't give up hope that things can get better.

[eatwellnutrition]

Women's Hormones

Your hormones are the base of your health, form, and function. If hormones aren't at their optimal levels you are going to feel it. Today we are just going to be briefly discussing a few major hormones, what they do, and how to potentially optimize them for weight loss and feeling your best.

First, let's talk about Cortisol and Thyroid Hormones. Cortisol is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands that help your body cope with stressful situations. When chronically elevated (meaning you are stressed all the time) this becomes a problem. Cortisol isn't bad, it's good, but it starts messing things up when you are producing it all day, every day. Cortisol shuts down other hormone pathways while it is elevated in order to get you out of danger. In doing this it lowers sex hormones, Testosterone, Estrogen, and Progesterone.

You need these hormones for proper metabolism, energy output, sleep, sex, and mood regulation, amongst other things. When chronically stressed your Thyroid hormones are also affected. Your Thyroid produces hormones that help with glucose uptake, energy, metabolism, and a host of other bodily functions, and when cortisol is high it inhibits metabolic output and lowers metabolic rate. So, needless to say, managing your stress is a must if you want to have balanced hormones.

The biggest contributors to thyroid dysfunction are insulin resistance and excess cortisol. Thyroid hormones and insulin resistance are interlinked and dysfunction with one can lead to dysfunction in another. Your Thyroid produces TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), T3, and T4. Low T4 levels are often correlated with increased visceral fat and insulin resistance. T3 helps improve glucose metabolism. Having a low-salt diet is a big contributor to Thyroid dysfunction and insulin resistance. Our body needs sodium, ATP, and magnesium to get iodine into the Thyroid. Salt restriction makes the body release insulin in order to retain sodium, as a result, it raises aldosterone, which increases oxidative stress ad cortisol. So, as you can see, it can be a vicious cycle and one always affects the other.

Next, we will talk about Leptin. This is a satiety hormone, it is released when you are full from eating. When Leptin is chronically elevated you become leptin resistant, very much like insulin resistance. When you are eating all the time, snacking or eating 6 meals per day, and never sitting down to eat a real meal where you were hungry then ate to satiety, your leptin gets released all the time, therefore your cells become insensitive to their cue. Leptin is also stimulated by fat tissue. So the more fat tissue you have the more leptin you will produce.

The third hormone I want to touch on is Testosterone. We all make Testosterone. Men and women, men just make more of it. It helps us gain and maintain lean muscle mass and it suppresses fat gain, amongst other things. It also gives us energy and a sex drive! When testosterone is low it affects our sleep, skeletal muscle mass, and Basal Metabolic Rate (this is how many calories your body burns to stay alive) You need sleep, muscle mass, and a healthy BMR to feel good and live a long healthy, life.

Consuming alcohol lowers testosterone by converting it to estrogen-this is not good for men and women! And just 4 nights of sleeping 4.5 hours reduces testosterone, reduces insulin sensitivity, increases ghrelin (your hunger hormone), and reduces Leptin. Prolonged calorie restriction also reduces testosterone. Excess body fat lowers testosterone by aromatizing it into estrogen. One other hormone that elevates testosterone is Dopamine. Foods that support dopamine production are beets, eggs, nuts, dairy, and meat. Chocolate is a good one too, just make sure it is dark and minimally processed.

Lastly, I want to talk about Estrogen. Estrogen and Progesterone are made by the pituitary gland. Progesterone is a calming hormone that aids in better sleep and declines with age. But Estrogen tends to get a bad rap for being known as a hormone that promotes fat storage in the breasts, hips, butt, and legs, but NOT Abdominal Visceral fat. Your body makes 3 types of Estrogen: Estrone, Estradiol, and Estriol. Ladies, if you are pear-shaped, be thankful, this is a good thing and will benefit you in the long run. This is also why women look different than men. We have more Estrogen than they do. However, Estrogen has a lot of important functions such as regulating bone turnover and cholesterol levels. It isn't bad, but when it's out of balance with your other hormones it CAN lead to negative health implications. Low estrogen causes a drop in serotonin, resulting in moodiness, irritability, and increased appetite. Low estrogen also often leads to weight gain. This is why often women in peri-menopause and menopause see a rise in belly fat because their estrogen is dropping, along with progesterone and testosterone. Probiotic-rich foods, such as Kefir, sauerkraut, yogurt with live cultures, and other fermented foods are great for the gut and increase serotonin. Typically women start seeing a decline in Estrogen in their forties. Chronic low-calorie diets, chronic stress, ovary removal, overtraining, and insulin resistance, also lower estrogen. Too much estrogen is also a problem for women and men. Excess alcohol consumption and obesity are the biggest cause of this. Increasing exercise, fiber, and cruciferous vegetables reducing alcohol consumption, and removing xenoestrogens are ways to lower estrogen.

Your hormone health and metabolic function determine the way your body will regulate its energy expenditure, satiety, and thyroid function. The best way to make sure you are optimizing your hormones is to find out what your lab values are either through your General Practioner or a Functional Medicine Practioner. Then, start moving each day, Eat REAL food, get sunshine, reduce your stress, and take back your HEALTH!