The Hypothalamus Gland and restoring it to proper fat burning function, is the cornerstone of the success of the hCG Weight Loss Program. The Hypothalamus Gland is part of the endocrine system and can be found in the brain.
The general functions of the Hypothalamus are of extreme importance for the body, such as:
- Pituitary gland regulation
- Blood pressure regulation
- Hunger and salt cravings
- Feeding reflexes
- Thirst
- Body temperature regulation
- Hydration Heart rate
- Bladder function
- Water preservation
- Hormonal/neurotransmitter regulation
- Ovarian function
- Testicular function
- Mood and behavioural functions
- Wakefulness
- Metabolism
- Sleep Cycles
- Energy levels
The main function of the Hypothalamus is homoeostasis, or maintaining the body’s status quo. Factors such as blood pressure, body temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance, and body weight are held to a precise value called the set-point. Although this set-point can migrate over time, from day to day it is remarkably fixed.
What is The Hypothalamus?
The Hypothalamus is the control centre of all autonomic regulatory activities of the body. It has been said that the Hypothalamus is the brain of the brain. It is the hub for automatic and endocrine homoeostatic systems such as cardiovascular, temperature and abdominal visceral regulation. It manages all endocrine hormonal levels, sensory processing and organizing body metabolism as well as ingestive behaviours. It appears that almost everything the Hypothalamus does is related in some way to the management of brain and body connection linking the psyche (mind) to the body.
What Does The Hypothalamus Really Do?
The Hypothalamus is located immediately below the thalamus at the centre of the brain and controls many automatic functions of the body. This means it has the power to govern the autonomic (automatic or subconscious) nervous system. The Hypothalamus also controls pituitary output by secreting specific chemicals to the pituitary’s front lobe. Very simply, the Hypothalamus organizes and controls many complex emotions, feelings and moods, as well as all motivational states including hunger, appetite and food intake and everything to do with the concept of pleasure including satisfaction, comfort and creative activities.
The neurons in the Hypothalamus produce a number of Hypothalamic neurotransmitters which relay information and instruction to all parts of the brain and body, directly influencing the Pituitary gland where Growth Hormone, Thyroid Hormone Releasing Factor and other neuropeptides are released via Hypothalamic input.
The Hypothalamus (with the Cerebral Hemispheres) is intimately involved in the integration of all physiological stimulation, all 5 senses, including taste, smell, sight, sound and touch which it then translates, distils and assembles into one discernible “package”, relating all the attributes of an experience, all the associated stimulation into one clear harmonious concept, one memory, one experience. Thus, yielding a succinct emotionally satisfying understanding and judgement of the experience itself.
What Happens When The Hypothalamus Doesn't Work Properly?
When the Hypothalamus is not working correctly, when it is not functioning up to par, the wrong neuro-signals are generated and the wrong neuro-messages are received, resulting in an inaccurate integration of all our sensory input, leading to faulty perceptions which are very subtle but nonetheless powerful, making us feel empty, deprived and emotionally “unsatisfied”. Dysfunction of the Hypothalamus often leads to depression, hyperactivity, abnormal responses to stress, or disturbances in brain and limbic functioning. Some of the physical aspects of Hypothalamic dysfunction are: Disordered sleep, Multiple hormonal dysfunctions, Immune dysfunction, Autonomic dysfunction, Altered body temperatures.
What Causes Dysfunction in The Hypothalamus?
The function of these vital systems can be altered by various causes ranging from food mishandling, dependency and substance withdrawal, stress or psychological responses to simple functional deficits, hyperactivity, hypo activity or learning disabilities. Unfortunately, Hypothalamic function becomes impaired with age, so as we grow older the Hypothalamus needs support to maintain optimum performance.
Other Benefits of Hypothalamic Functioning
The Hypothalamus and Weight Management
It appears that almost everything the Hypothalamus does is related in some way to weight management and controlled weight loss. Most simply when the Hypothalamus is “broken” food becomes increasingly more important, but increasingly more unfulfilling. We end up never feeling satisfied with the foods which we have eaten, gradually eating more and more to try to compensate for whatever is lacking! From a metabolism stand point, the Hypothalamus not only governs the motivation to eat, stimulating hunger and appetite, but most importantly how eating is to be experienced and reflected upon, whether it is satisfying or not, and how deep the satisfaction occurs.
This gives us an idea as to how important a healthy Hypothalamic function really is!
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