The Power of Hormones: The New Science of How Hormones Impact Every Aspect of Our Health

“Hormones are the conductor of our body’s orchestra,” according to this illuminating debut. Endocrinologist Nieuwdorp explains that hormones are “signaling molecules” that travel through blood and other bodily fluids to initiate or inhibit biological processes. Examining hormones’ role in digestion, Nieuwdorp describes how the arrival of food in the small intestine triggers the release of glucagon-like peptide and cholecystokinin, which “cause the pancreas and gallbladder to release digestive juices and enzymes” that break down nutrients so they can be absorbed more easily. Hormones influence behavior, Nieuwdorp writes, discussing how as young people of all genders enter puberty, they become more impulsive because spiking testosterone levels impair “the connection between the gland involved in recognizing danger and the region that helps make decisions” in the brain. Nieuwdorp has a talent for making technical scientific material accessible, and the research demonstrates just how far-reaching hormones’ effects are. For instance, he notes evidence indicating that boys with low levels of testosterone early in life are more likely to have memory problems when they grow up, while high testosterone levels in fetuses have been linked with increased risk-taking as adults. This fascinates. (July)