Restorative Endocrinology™ is an emerging field concerned with the balancing of hormones as naturally as conceivable to optimal levels founded on an individual's needs. But what are hormones? We learn about them in science, as we begin adulthood and perhaps into middle age, but what are they actually and why are they important?

"Hormone" comes from the greek word that means "to spur on." Hormones themselves are molecules that carry messages from our glands to our cells to maintain chemical levels in the bloodstream that maintain a stable, constant condition. The presence of hormones acts as a catalyst for other chemical changes at the cellular level necessary for growth, development, and energy.

Hormones have the following effects on or within the body:

• stimulation or inhibition of growth
• mood swings
• induction or inhibition of apoptosis (or programmed cell death)
• activation or inhibition of the immune system
• regulation of metabolism
• preparation of the body for mating, fighting, fleeing, and other activity
• preparation of the body for a new phase of life, such as puberty, parenting, and menopause
• control of the reproductive cycle
• hunger cravings

We find hormones controlling the function, growth, reproduction, metabolism, and repair of every cell. Its not hard then to realize that these hormones are the most powerful molecules in our bodies.

Just as our bodies require optimal levels of essential nutrients: vitamins, fats, amino acids, and minerals, our bodies require optimal hormone levels.

Hormone loss has been shown to contribute to many of the disorders and  diseases that we suffer as we age -- autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, fatigue, high blood pressure, loss of muscle strength, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, increased cholesterol levels, loss of libido, depression, and some cancers Many people have hormone imbalances due to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, endocrine gland failure, hormone resistance, and other metabolic disorders. And for good measure, there is also a natural difference between hormonal intentions in women and men.

A new paradigm is needed in endocrinology; one such shift in thinking is "Restorative Endocrinology™". Imagine the change of life quality for a significant portion of the population now suffering from symptoms and deteriorating health due to inadequate hormone levels or hormone effects. The progressive practitiopner must become skilful at recognizing operational hormone deficiencies and methods of optimizing hormone level for the purpose of improving quality of life. Restoring hormone levels to be optimal just makes good sense when it comes to good health.