This is all necessary to maintain hormonal balance, which determines the duration and quality of life, the risk of disease, mood and appearance. Literally all processes in our bodies are regulated by hormones, as well as all aspects of our lives, habits, diet and regimen, affect their balance or imbalance, says Yevhen Shagov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, the first age manager of Ukraine, founder and chief physician of the AM System age management club clinic, head of the Global Age Management Academy, head of the humanitarian project UAHEALTHSUPPORT and the GAMA Consulting social project.

Actually, we are aging not because of age, but because of the emergence and deepening of this imbalance. Aging is, in particular, a decrease in the secretion of hormones and their bioavailability (sex steroids) and interaction with target organs (insulin resistance). A decrease in the level of key hormones, including stress or age, causes endocrine and metabolic changes that contribute to the development of chronic diseases - atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, thrombosis, decreased immunity and cognitive functions of the brain.

For example, take 3 categories of aging of the hormonal system, their precursors and consequences:

Menopause

Decreased secretion of estrogen and progesterone and cessation of ovarian function, which leads to menopause - the end of the reproductive period, characterized by a number of rather unpleasant symptoms ("hot flashes", mood swings, memory loss, insomnia, loss of libido) and an increase in the risks of a number of pathologies (osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases). This is preceded by a rather long period of extinction of endocrine function, which is evidenced by thinning and loss of hair, dry skin and mucous membranes, loss of muscle mass, decreased quality of sleep and sex.

Andropause

Decrease in the level of male hormones, which leads to erectile dysfunction, decreased strength and endurance of the body, depression, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis. This is preceded by increased fat mass, loss of libido, poor sleep and cognitive function, loss of self-confidence, and mood swings.

Somatopause

Decreased secretion of growth hormone and a decrease in insulin-like growth factor IGF-1 levels lead to changes in the composite composition of the body, accelerated skin aging, increased cholesterol, heart disease, and loss of bone strength (osteoarthritis and other diseases). The lack of growth hormone is indicated by visceral obesity, impaired carbohydrate metabolism, cognitive loss and endurance during aerobic exercise.

The critical importance of endocrine balance has also been demonstrated by the coronavirus pandemic. The worst course of the disease and the highest mortality rates were in patients with obesity, women in menopause, hypertensive patients, diabetics, men with low testosterone Risk factors for more severe disease were also identified as thyroid hypofunction, adrenal exhaustion, and cortisol imbalance. Long-COVID, in particular, is also more common in people with hormone imbalances. All this once again proves that youth, strong immunity and well-being depend on hormones, and therefore on you. Regular checks, lifestyle modification and Age Management will restore endocrine balance and protect health.

Eugene Shagov

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