The Endocrine System & Aging Many of the disorders connected
with aging are caused directly by changes in the level of the
hormonal secretions manufactured by the hormone producing
glands. What are hormones? They can be best described as
chemical messengers which serve to regulate important functions
within the human body, including growth and aging, reproduction
and metabolism. These chemicals are carried in the blood-stream
to various targeted cells, in order to stimulate them to
specific activity. The major glands are pituitary, pineal,
thyroid and para-thyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries and
testes; and they are all concerned with manufacture of hormones.
In addition to these glands, some other organs of the body
produce hormones as a secondary function, e.g. the kidneys
primary function is to filter blood, but they also contain
endocrine cells that secrete hormones. The pituitary, a pea-
sized gland, regulated by a part of the brain known as the
hypothalamus, exercises control over most hormonal a