The connection between nutrition and the endocrine system

The endocrine system comprises a network of glands that enable communication within the body to sustain internal environment or homeostasis.

Unlike the nervous system, which transmits information rapidly, the endocrine system employs hormones that travel through the bloodstream, facilitating widespread and prolonged regulation of numerous bodily functions.¹ Proper nutrition is crucial to keeping this complex system in balance and operating at its peak. 

Key functions of the endocrine system

Hormones produced by the endocrine system affect every cell and organ, influencing processes such as growth, metabolism, electrolyte balance and reproduction. These hormones typically operate through signaling cascades, requiring sufficient nutrient levels at each step for effective signaling. Consistent nutrient intake is essential for these pathways to function properly.¹

Major glands of the endocrine system

The endocrine system includes several glands (Figure 1) responsible for hormone production¹:

• Hypothalamus: Produces regulatory hormones that control other endocrine tissues. It is involved in the stress response and regulation of growth and reproductive hormones.
• Pituitary gland: Releases hormones that affect various glands and tissues, including ACTH, TSH, GH, LH, FSH, prolactin, vasopressin and oxytocin.
• Adrenal glands: Located on the kidneys, these glands produce cortisol, crucial for the stress response, and aldosterone, which helps regulate water and electrolyte balance.
• Gonads: The ovaries and testes, which produce sex hormones essential for reproductive and metabolic processes.
• Thyroid and parathyroid glands: Regulate metabolic processes and calcium homeostasis through thyroid and parathyroid hormones.
• Pancreas: Secretes insulin and glucagon, which regulate glucose metabolism.

Figure 1. Endocrine system glands

Nutrition’s impact on hormone production

Nutrient deficiencies can significantly affect hormone synthesis and release, leading to widespread impacts throughout the body. For instance, the thyroid gland requires minerals like iodine, selenium, zinc and iron for proper function. Inadequate levels of these nutrients can disrupt thyroid hormone production and affect metabolism.²

Hormones, which regulate various processes, are released into the bloodstream in response to specific stimuli and transported to target organs. Some hormones have broad effects, while others are more specific. Once bound to a receptor, hormones trigger cascades that alter cellular functions, often by regulating gene expression.¹

Feedback mechanisms in hormone regulation

The endocrine system employs multiple regulatory steps to ensure appropriate hormone activation and signaling. For example, the hypothalamus releases hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland, which then releases hormones affecting the adrenal glands, gonads, and thyroid.¹ Healthy eating, stress management and regular exercise can positively influence these complex regulatory mechanisms.

The role of macronutrients

Macronutrients are essential for overall health because they provide energy for cells and serve important roles in the body. Dietary proteins are broken down into polypeptide chains, which form the backbone for peptide hormones.

In contrast, lipids derived from dietary fats act as signaling molecules among cells in the endocrine system. These processes require energy from dietary macronutrients. Consuming macronutrients in appropriate ratios is crucial for proper hormone production and metabolism.

Phytoestrogens and hormone levels

Phytoestrogens are compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. Found in foods like legumes, fruits, vegetables and cereals, they bind to estrogen receptors and influence hormonal balance.³ The effects of phytoestrogens may vary based on sex, ethnicity, age, health status, hormone levels and the overall diet in which they are consumed.³

Nutritional support for the endocrine system

Adequate nutrition is vital for the proper functioning of the endocrine system. Macronutrients supply energy and structural elements for hormone production, while vitamins and minerals are essential for numerous biochemical processes involved in hormone synthesis and release. Therefore, a well-balanced diet is crucial for maintaining the system’s health and functionality.

Strategies for a healthy endocrine system

A healthy diet should provide essential nutrients, support the gut microbiome and maintain redox balance. Replacing processed foods with nutrient-dense options supports endocrine health by providing necessary vitamins and minerals while promoting antioxidant status and reducing inflammation.⁴

A few healthy dietary patterns to suggest your patients consider include:

Mediterranean diet: Emphasizes vegetables, unsaturated fats and moderate fish intake. It provides phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting endocrine health.⁵

Ketogenic diet: High in fat, moderate in protein and low in carbohydrates, this diet stabilizes blood glucose and influences hormones like insulin and glucagon.⁶ The presence of ketones can suppress appetite hormones, aiding in weight management and hormonal balance.⁶

Impact of meal timing and portion control

Maintaining a consistent eating schedule aligns with the body’s circadian rhythm, supporting endocrine function.⁷ Hormones follow a circadian rhythm, with levels fluctuating over 24 hours, but the responsiveness of target tissues to hormonal stimuli can also change.⁷ Proper portion sizes help regulate hunger and satiety hormones too, preventing drastic fluctuations.

The impact of a healthy gut microbiome

A healthy diet rich in fiber and phytonutrients supports a healthy gut microbiome. The gut microbiome interacts with hormones like estrogens, androgens and insulin, and there is complex communication between gut microbiota and endocrine tissues via compounds such as bile acids and short-chain fatty acids.⁸ Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, can lead to endocrine diseases like polycystic ovary syndrome or thyroid disorders.⁸

Maintain redox balance and inflammation

Balancing oxidative stress and inflammation is essential for endocrine health. Inflammation and oxidative stress can impair endocrine tissues, altering hormone production and secretion. Nutrients that oppose oxidative stress, such as vitamins C and E, and anti-inflammatory herbs and compounds, help maintain endocrine balance.⁹ Dietary antioxidants like curcumin, N-acetyl cysteine and phytonutrients can counteract oxidative stress induced by hormones like aldosterone and glucocorticoids.⁹

Endocrine disruptors and nutrition

Certain foods, in addition to certain plastics, may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that interfere with hormone function, increasing the risk of endocrine disorders.¹⁰ EDCs, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, can bind to hormone receptors and disrupt endocrine signaling,¹⁰ increasing the risk of disorders such as diabetes and obesity. Avoid processed foods and binge drinking, choose organic produce and nutrient-dense foods, and minimize exposure to harmful plastics to reduce your intake of EDCs.¹⁰ Consume antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients to support the body’s natural detoxification processes.

Alcohol as an endocrine disruptor

Alcohol consumption can alter hormone release in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Chronic intake can lead to hormone dysregulation, causing stress, reproductive difficulties, immune dysfunction, thyroid problems and bone issues. Reducing alcohol intake is essential for endocrine health.⁸

Final thoughts

Maintaining a balanced diet and making mindful lifestyle choices are vital for optimizing endocrine function and overall well-being. Understanding the intricate relationship between nutrition and the endocrine system empowers individuals to make informed decisions, improving both their health and quality of life. Healthcare practitioners can use this knowledge to provide tailored dietary and lifestyle advice, fostering long-term health benefits.

KERI BARRON, PHD, is the scientific communications specialist at Standard Process Inc., located at the Nutrition Innovation Center in Kannapolis, North Carolina. She received a bachelor of science degree in nutritional biochemistry and metabolism and a master’s degree in nutrition from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as a PhD in nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Contact Barron at kbarron@standardprocess.com.

References

1. Hiller-Sturmhöfel S, Bartke A. (1998). The Endocrine System: An Overview. Alcohol Health Res World. 1998;22(3):153. ProQuest. https://www.proquest.com/docview/222391650?sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals. Accessed July 12, 2024.
2. Sahoo DK, Chainy GBN. Hormone-linked redox status and its modulation by antioxidants. Vitamins and Hormones. 2023;121:197-246. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36707135/. Accessed July 12, 2024.
3. Brossaud J, et al. Vitamin A, endocrine tissues and hormones: interplay and interactions. Endocr Connect. 2017;6(7):R121-R130. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28720593/. Accessed July 12, 2024.
4. Beckett GJ, Arthur JR. Selenium and endocrine systems. J Endocrinol. 2005;184(3):455-465. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15749805/. Accessed July 12, 2024.
5. Barrea L, et al. Role of Mediterranean diet in endocrine diseases: A joint overview by the endocrinologist and the nutritionist. J Endocrinol Invest. 2024;47(1):17-33. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37697017/. Accessed July 12, 2024.
6. Gupta L, et al. Ketogenic diet in endocrine disorders: Current perspectives. J Postgrad Med. 2017;63(4):242-251. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29022562/. Accessed July 12, 2024.
7. Gamble KL, et al. Young ME. Circadian clock control of endocrine factors. Nat Rev Endocrino. 2014;10(8):466-475. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24863387/. Accessed July 12, 2024.
8. Rachdaoui N, Sarkar DK. Effects of Alcohol on the Endocrine System. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2013;42(3):593-615. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24011889/. Accessed July 12, 2024.
9. Dominguez-Lopez I, et al. Effects of dietary phytoestrogens on hormones throughout a human lifespan: A review. 2020;12(8):2456. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32824177/. Accessed July 12, 2024.
10. Bansal A, et al. Immune system: An emerging player in mediating effects of endocrine disruptors on metabolic health. 2018;159(1):32-45. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29145569/. Accessed July 12, 2024.