Estrogen: Importance and Its Functions
Estrogen is not a single hormone but a group of hormones having predominant imminence in menstrual and estrous reproductive cycles of females. It is primarily synthesized and secreted in the ovaries in females and functions as their principal sex hormones.
Natural estrogens are steroidal in nature and the three major estrogens having this attribute are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3). Estradiol (E2) is the most prevalent estrogen during the reproductive years of women, both in terms of hormonal level in blood and in activity. At the times of pregnancy this position transfers estriol (E3) and finaly to estrone (E1) after menopause. There are also non-steroidal synthetic estrogens such as xenoestrogens, phytoestrogens and mycoestrogens.
Set of functions of estrogen in females is so vast from providing secondary sexual characteristics to melanin production in skin. Almost every cells in female body is affected by estrogen action. But most of unisex effects of estrogen are structural in nature. Estrogen increases fat storage and provide characteristic curvaceous body of females to both gender.
Obviously, the abnormal incline in estrogen induces more fat storage and thus obesity. This has much adverse effects in males than in females, such as tender bone mass and tiredness which can lead to a more obese body. Mutation of estrogen receptors also can trigger abnormal eating patterns and lead to obesity. This is the prime reason of weight gain in women after menopause.
Like-wise other steroidal hormones, its absolute serum level and lifestyle of an individual are tightly linked. Weight training is considered to be one of the most effective methods to lower estrogen level and boost testosterone level. For some females, this can have side effects such as misplaced hair growth and loss of feminine characteristics, depending upon the level of work out. For men, this solely have the potential to lose weight if there aren’t any other reasons for obesity such as diabetes.
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Canned processed foods are severely accused for having abnormal estrogen contents especially meat products. The animals required for the meat production are considered to be injected with estrogen to increase fat content rather than muscle mass to increase yield. Avoiding these products can highly influence the estrogen level in the body and thus can control obesity.
Being a principal female sex hormone, a vast number of medications and supplements are available in market for reducing and increasing estrogen level. Estrogen replacement surgeries are also suggested to women after menopause to control obesity and other difficulties due to menopause.
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