The Power of Hormones
The New Science of How Hormones Impact Every Aspect of Our Health
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
Decode the subtle signals of hormones with this foundational book from expert endocrinologist and leading researcher in the field.
Hormones rule our lives. From conception, to birth, to our last breath, hormones control the delicate processes that keep our bodies in balance. However, when this careful stasis is disturbed, our hormones can wreak havoc on our health.
Max Nieuwdorp, MD, PhD, knows exactly what signals your hormones are sending you and how they impact how you look, feel, and behave. In this foundational guide to hormonal health, he breaks down how hormones impact every system in the body, empowering you with the knowledge you need to get to the root of chronic health problems and set yourself up long lasting, sustainable wellness.
Inspired by Dr. Nieuwdorp’s day-to-day interaction with his patients, The Power of Hormones describes hormonal health in a detailed and accessible style, helping you clue in to symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as persistent fatigue and weight gain. His unique approach advocates for considering the far-reaching roles played by hormones throughout the body and is a go-to guide for understanding how they influence our health, our lives, and who we are.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Hormones are the conductor of our body's orchestra," according to this illuminating debut. Endocrinologist Nieuwdorp explains that hormones are "signaling molecules" that travel through blood and other bodily fluids to initiate or inhibit biological processes. Examining hormones' role in digestion, Nieuwdorp describes how the arrival of food in the small intestine triggers the release of glucagon-like peptide and cholecystokinin, which "cause the pancreas and gallbladder to release digestive juices and enzymes" that break down nutrients so they can be absorbed more easily. Hormones influence behavior, Nieuwdorp writes, discussing how as young people of all genders enter puberty, they become more impulsive because spiking testosterone levels impair "the connection between the gland involved in recognizing danger and the region that helps make decisions" in the brain. Nieuwdorp has a talent for making technical scientific material accessible, and the research demonstrates just how far-reaching hormones' effects are. For instance, he notes evidence indicating that boys with low levels of testosterone early in life are more likely to have memory problems when they grow up, while high testosterone levels in fetuses have been linked with increased risk-taking as adults. This fascinates.
