The main function of the endocrine system is the regulation of all vital processes in the body, and any hormonal imbalance can lead to serious and difficult to predict consequences.
The endocrine glands produce over 50 different hormones.
Due to the functional diversity of hormones that the endocrine system produces, symptoms of diseases of different glands include disorders of organs and systems indirectly associated with them.
Normal hormonal levels are formed as a result of the complex interaction of the hypothalamic-pituitary system and the endocrine glands themselves. The causes and pathogenetic mechanisms of endocrine diseases are still little studied and have not been fully elucidated.
Among the root causes of functional disorders of the endocrine system are:
- hereditary predisposition;
- neoplasms;
- inflammatory processes;
- congenital anomalies of the structure of the glands;
- infectious lesions;
- consequences of injuries;
- disorders of general origin.
Pathological changes in the functioning of the endocrine system can be provoked by external influences, such as chronic lack of sleep, poor nutrition, physical or psycho-emotional exhaustion, long-term treatment with certain drugs, and in women - hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, childbirth and lactation.
Clinical manifestations of the disease can be caused either by dysfunction of one of the endocrine glands, or by impaired sensitivity of the organ to the effects of a particular hormone.
Much less common are pathologies associated with the production of defective or false hormones, characterized by abnormal activity, disruption of the connection between the gland and the internal environment of the body, and multiple lesions of the endocrine system.
Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine glands occur as hyperfunction or hypofunction And. In the first case, an excess amount of hormones enters the body, in the second, a shortage of the active substance occurs. Disorders of the hypersecretion type develop with excessive stimulation of the gland or the formation of zones of secondary secretion in tissues or organs with similar functional characteristics.
Human endocrine system
Insufficiency of any hormone can be caused by a deficiency of certain microelements or vitamins, inflammatory processes in the tissues of the gland, due to radiation or toxic damage to the gland. Hyposecretion may be hereditary in nature or develop against the background of immunodeficiency states.
Disturbances in the sensitivity of tissues and organs to certain hormones are hereditary in nature. Such disorders are rare, and their mechanisms have been studied very little. There is a hypothesis about the absence of hormone-specific receptors on cell membranes, without which the hormone cannot penetrate the tissue and perform the corresponding functions.
The secretion of defective hormones is an extremely rare phenomenon. The production of false hormones is often the result of spontaneous mutations. With some liver diseases, in women - and during pregnancy, metabolic disorders are possible, accompanied by a breakdown in connections between the glands that produce certain types of hormones and the organs on which they act. When the hormone transport pathways are disrupted, secondary metabolic changes develop.
Dysfunction of the endocrine glands can also be caused by autoimmune processes, in which the gland tissue is destroyed by its own immune defense mechanisms.
The secretion activity of various hormones is subject to natural age-related changes and signs of early wilting are often of an endocrine nature.
Symptoms of the problem
The most typical symptoms of hormonal imbalance are abnormalities in weight and height, mental imbalance and unstable emotional state.
Endocrine disorders are reflected in the functioning of target organs, that is, the symptoms of a particular disease may resemble organic damage to the corresponding organ.
Several groups of symptoms may indicate problems with the endocrine system. Some diseases are characterized by changes in the patient's behavior. A person is subject to sudden changes in mood for no apparent reason; previously unusual emotional reactions to everyday situations appear: too violent or, on the contrary, inhibited.
With endocrine disorders, general weakness, drowsiness, weakness may occur, the person suffers from frequent headaches, and notices memory and attention disorders. Long-term uncritical changes in body temperature without visible prerequisites, chills and fever, too frequent urge to urinate, painful thirst, and disturbances in sexual desire are possible.
Patients' body weight changes dramatically, either increasing or decreasing. Heart rhythm disturbances or arterial hypertension are possible, not associated with the effects of typical provoking factors and in the absence of signs of damage to the heart or blood vessels. Early symptoms of endocrine diseases are mostly nonspecific, do not cause any particular concern and are not always a sufficient reason for a visit to an endocrinologist.
As the pathology progresses, characteristic features of disorders of a particular gland appear.
Exophthalmos is a fairly rare symptom of endocrine disorders. must be diagnosed in time, otherwise severe visual impairment may occur.
The structure and functions of the human endocrine system are described in detail.
Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system affect the general condition of the human body. Follow the link for useful information about measures to prevent diseases of the endocrine organs.
Symptoms of endocrine diseases in women
Violations of hormonal regulation affect metabolic processes.
A woman gains or rapidly loses weight without changing her diet and the quality of her diet.
Sleep disturbances and a state of chronic fatigue are possible; patients have an increase or decrease in temperature without visible signs of pathology, which can manifest itself in a similar way.
Alarming symptoms are fine motor disorders, heart rhythm disturbances and changes in blood pressure without signs of pathologies of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Patients often become nervous and subject to sudden mood swings.
Hormonal imbalance affects the functioning of the sweat glands; the body is literally drenched in sweat. Excessive secretion of growth hormone leads to distortion and coarsening of facial proportions, primarily the lower jaw, soft tissues around the mouth, and brow ridges.
The first symptoms of diabetes are persistent, irresistible itching and intense thirst. Increased susceptibility to pustular infections.
Disorders of the functioning of the gonads are manifested by excessive male pattern hair growth, complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Such patients experience menstrual cycle disorders, including amenorrhea, and infertility. A very alarming symptom is the appearance of stretch marks (stretch marks) that are not associated with pregnancy or changes in body weight. The purple coloration of the resulting defects indicates the involvement of the adrenal cortex in the pathological process.
Pathologies of the endocrine system in men
Diseases of the endocrine glands, which regulate metabolic processes, manifest similar nonspecific symptoms in men and women.With dysfunction of the gonads, the patient develops effeminate features in appearance.
In particular, the mammary glands enlarge, the structure of the secondary hairline changes, and female-type obesity develops.
A man may notice disturbances in sexual desire and ability to coitus. Infertility is often detected in patients with endocrine disorders.
Symptoms of endocrine system diseases in children
Diseases of the endocrine system in children can manifest themselves at a very early age.
The difficulty of diagnosing dysfunction of the endocrine glands is complicated by the psychological characteristics of childhood.
Clinical manifestations of certain diseases sometimes resemble the consequences of errors in raising a child.
Endocrine disorders lead to abnormal rates of physical and mental development of the child. Lesions of the thyroid parathyroid glands affect the development of intelligence. Children are irritable, inattentive, have difficulty learning new skills, and are prone to apathy.
Concomitant disorders of calcium metabolism are manifested by bone fragility, delayed formation of the dentition and skeletal growth. Without treatment, various forms of dementia may develop.
A weakened immune system may indicate possible problems with the thymus or pancreas. The early stages of diabetes are indicated by hard-to-heal skin lesions and a tendency to pustular infections.
Dysfunction of the gonads is manifested by acceleration or delay of puberty in girls and boys.
Problems with the gonads are indicated by the formation of secondary sexual characteristics characteristic of the opposite sex: body features, timbre of voice, deviations in the development of the mammary glands.
Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary system can affect the functioning of any of the endocrine glands.
In some endocrine pathologies, dystrophy of the eye muscles occurs. causes a lot of discomfort to the patient and can cause decreased vision.
Symptoms of Basedow's disease are described. As well as brief information about the treatment of the disease.
In addition to the general regulatory function, the hypothalamic-pituitary system produces growth hormone (somatotropin). A deficiency of somatotropin during the period of active growth leads to dwarfism, an excess leads to gigantism.
Note: the most common endocrine pathology is diabetes mellitus, affecting both sexes and all age groups.
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Lemon has been known since ancient times for its benefits to the human body. But later people learned that not only this sour fruit itself has a beneficial effect on the human body. The benefits of lemon zest are also undeniable. Therefore, when throwing away what is left of the fruit, remember that its peel can also help the immune system. Both doctors and nutritionists have repeatedly noticed the many beneficial properties of a product such as lemon zest. What are these properties? And what harm can it cause to the human body? Let's find out!
Lemon zest - what is it?
Firstly, this is one of the most obscure and at the same time frequently found ingredients in many culinary recipes. Its energy value per 100 grams is 47 kilocalories, in its raw form it contains 1.5 g of protein, 5.4 g of carbohydrates and 0.3 g of fat, and also has a large amount of vitamin C. In addition, the peel of the fruit contains such minerals as like selenium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium and copper.
Lemon zest - what is it? The thinnest outer layer of the skin of the fruit, which has a rich yellow color. It contains those essential oils that have a pleasant odor characteristic of the yellow fruit. The interesting thing is that grated lemon zest will not add acid to the dish, but it will definitely provide a pleasant aroma.
How to do it?
Helps get rid of age spots
If you regularly wipe your face with lemon peel, you will soon be surprised by the changes. With the help of the zest, you can rid your skin of acne, pimples and many other imperfections. It will be especially useful for people suffering from age spots. Many folk recipes advise putting a small piece of lemon zest on the pigment spot and leaving it for an hour. This truly magical substance tones the skin, has a whitening effect, and also makes the skin tightened and smooth.
Strengthens bones
One good source of calcium is lemon peel, and high amounts of vitamin C allow the body to absorb calcium, which helps strengthen bones. 100 grams of zest contains about 134 milligrams of calcium. If you regularly eat the skin of this sour fruit, you can avoid the occurrence of diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatism.
Supports immunity
As mentioned above, lemon peel contains large amounts of vitamin C, which, by the way, is more in the zest than in the juice from this sour fruit and even in the fruit itself. 100 grams of lemon zest contains about 129 milligrams of vitamin C. This allows you not only to maintain the necessary level of immunity, but also to monitor your oral health. Lemon peel can eliminate unpleasant odor, prevent bleeding gums, and the appearance of various microorganisms that harm teeth.
Promotes proper heart function
Comfortable and proper functioning of the heart is facilitated by the use of a product such as lemon zest. The heart muscle is helped by potassium, which it contains in significant quantities. There are approximately 160 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams of lemon zest. In addition, substances such as polyphenols, which can reduce cholesterol levels in the body, also affect the functioning of the heart.
Disinfecting effect
Among other things, lemon zest is famous for its antifungal and antibacterial properties. These healing properties are applicable not only in dermatology. Lemon peel is used in the prevention and treatment of thrombosis and anemia. Another valuable property of the peel of this sour fruit is that it can cleanse the liver and improve blood circulation.
Lemon zest tincture has no less medicinal properties.
Harm of lemon zest
Despite the abundance of beneficial properties, some people still need to be careful with a product such as lemon zest. What kind of people are these? Those who suffer from diseases such as stomach ulcers, for example, and other digestive disorders. The fact is that due to the high content of citric acid in the zest, the mucous membrane will be irritated, which can lead to severe heartburn or general discomfort in the stomach area. Also, people prone to allergies should handle the zest with caution, since this product, along with other citrus fruits, can cause an allergic reaction in the body in the form of hives.
Lemon zest on the farm
Throwing some peels into the trash can will make the unpleasant smell go away. You can also put the lemon zest in the refrigerator. Then it will not only absorb unpleasant odors, but also fill the refrigerator with a pleasant aroma. Lemon zest will help get rid of scale that has formed in the kettle. Lemon peel can be used to increase the humidity in a room.
Recently, several people have asked me about this, so I’m writing for everyone. In fact, there are no special tricks with the zest: the main thing is to learn how to work with it once, understand what’s what, and no more mistakes will arise.
What is zest? This is the outer layer, the “rind” of many citrus fruits, which contains essential oils. Which, naturally, makes it very useful and indispensable in cooking and alcoholic beverage production. No food flavoring can compare with the aroma of properly preserved zest: the flavoring will always have a harsh aftertaste, while the zest very gently and unobtrusively reveals the taste and aroma. This is especially noticeable in baking: once I was “lucky” to try a Chinese sponge cake with added flavoring... a dubious pleasure, I tell you. It's like chewing on a sponge with orange soap.
The zest can be preserved in two different ways. Let’s imagine that a truck loaded with citrus fruits has overturned on your street and urgently needs to be placed somewhere. It is best to prepare the zest when the orange (lemon and others) is fresh. When its peel is elastic, without black spots and other signs of disease. Over time, citrus fruits can dry out - then the peel also dries out, and the essential oils that we strive to obtain while preserving the zest leave it. Therefore, it is necessary to always take fresh fruit. Theoretically, of course, you can even try to remove the zest from a dried lemon, but it will be of a slightly different quality.
We start by thoroughly washing the fruit. With a sponge, with soap, you can rinse with boiling water. Why is this being done? The peel of citrus fruits is very porous, and if the manufacturer has applied wax or other “protective” agents to the fruit for greater preservation, you risk treating your body with them. Therefore, citrus fruits should always be washed thoroughly. Then you need to dry it with a towel: removing the zest from a dry fruit is a little easier than from a wet one.
But then we choose how we will store the zest: simply as a powder or in a container sprinkled with sugar. If you are going to use the zest immediately, grate it with a fine grater just before adding it to the dish. There are no secrets here.
One of the most common questions is: how to prevent the zest from becoming bitter? It’s very simple: remove ONLY the zest, without touching the white layer, because that’s what gives it that bitterness. In general, if you pay attention, when using citrus fruits in cooking, cooks never touch the white partitions between the slices. For example, if you make a salad with orange and grapefruit, be sure to add only the pulp. This is especially true for grapefruit, where the partitions are the most bitter. To do this you need to use a good and very fine (!) grater. It's funny, but it's true. The zest requires delicate handling: if the grater is coarse, we risk touching the white layer of the peel; if it is too fine, the zest will turn into a heterogeneous mess that will lose some of the essential oils. I usually end up with an orange like this:
You see, I only removed the top layer. The surface of the orange remains porous, like a sponge: after some time it will dry out and harden. But now it's soft.
And this is the size I get the zest: 
It is best to transfer the grated zest into a glass container and sprinkle with sugar. It will absorb the released essential oils and serve as an excellent preservative for the zest. In the future, we will simply close the container with a lid and take out the zest only when we need to add it somewhere.
If you want to use the zest as a powder, it is better to remove it with a vegetable peeler rather than with a grater. We should get the thinnest strips of zest (remember about the white layer), which we cut in random order. We will dry the zest naturally: it is better to place it on a sheet of baking paper, cover with a second sheet and leave for several days in a sunny, well-ventilated area. Once a day, the zest will need to be turned or stirred so that it dries evenly. As soon as it becomes fragile, then we have achieved our goal. This usually takes 2-4 days. The dried zest can be stored like this, or you can grind it into powder using, for example, a coffee grinder, and add it to dishes as desired.
The first storage option is closer to me, since I put the zest more in baked goods than anywhere else. And zest and sugar are a great way out.
Another alternative to candied zest is candied fruits or specially prepared citrus peels, but about them - in a separate post, there are completely different rules and customs.
Many young housewives, unknowingly, simply get rid of the orange peels left after eating the fruits themselves. And it’s completely in vain, because you can prepare a lot of tasty and healthy dishes from them. In today's publication you will find several interesting recipes with citrus zest.
The benefits and harms of using orange peel
Recipes with citrus zest allow you to fill the human body with many valuable vitamins and microelements. This product contains a sufficient amount of pectin, flavonoids, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. It is an excellent source of vitamins A, C and E. Therefore, it is recommended to use it for the treatment and prevention of colds.
Regular consumption of orange peel helps increase performance, lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of gallstones. Citrus peels have excellent wound-healing properties, neutralize toxic substances and help restore intestinal microflora. They stimulate the activity of the cardiovascular system and have a beneficial effect on the condition of hair and skin.
However, there are also contraindications. Those who are interested in where to use orange and tangerine peels need to remember that the zest of these citrus fruits can cause severe allergic reactions, provoke the appearance of a rash, irritation of the mucous membranes and even an increase in temperature. They should not be consumed by people suffering from intestinal disorders. Citrus peel is contraindicated for low blood pressure and high acidity.
Review of ways to use orange peels
This component is widely used in cooking. It is used to prepare preserves, jams, candied fruits, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. In addition, they are often replaced with artificial flavors. Along with cinnamon and vanilla, it is added to muffins, biscuits, charlottes, jellies, mousses and other desserts. Some housewives put this ingredient in sauces, soups, salads, meat and fish dishes.
With citrus zest, you can not only cook various delicacies, but also do cleaning. After all, it is an excellent basis for creating homemade cleaning products. Plus, it is considered an excellent replacement for store-bought air fresheners. To fill your home with pleasant aromas, you just need to boil water and add cloves, cinnamon and crushed orange peel.
Few people know that this is one of the most effective means of repelling cats. If your pet gets into the habit of spoiling indoor plants, then you can simply put a little citrus zest around the flowerpot.
These are not all the ways to use orange peel. It is one of the most popular cosmetic components. And some people scatter it to get rid of mosquitoes and house ants. Having figured out where and how citrus zest is used, you can begin to consider culinary recipes.
Cookie
This delicious and aromatic dessert will surely be appreciated by both big and small sweet tooths. This recipe for using orange peels requires the presence of additional components. Therefore, before you start playing it, check if you have at hand:
- 200 grams of premium baking flour.
- Chopped zest from two oranges.
- 2 eggs.
- A couple of spoons of water.
- A pinch of salt.
- Powdered sugar (for sprinkling).
- Vegetable oil.
In one container combine eggs, zest, water, salt and flour. Mix everything thoroughly until smooth, and then roll it out into a thin layer and cut out cookies. The resulting products are browned in boiling vegetable oil and generously sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Cream jelly
We recommend paying attention to another simple recipe for using dried orange peels. It will certainly interest lovers of homemade mousse-like desserts. To make this jelly, you will need:
- 100 grams of chopped zest.
- 3 large spoons of sugar.
- A glass of cream.
- 2 large spoons of milk.
- 5 grams of gelatin.
- A teaspoon of coffee.
Warm milk is combined with whipped, sweetened cream. Chopped citrus zest, coffee and pre-soaked gelatin are also added there. Mix everything thoroughly and put it in the refrigerator until completely frozen.
Fragrant tea
This option for using orange peels will arouse interest among connoisseurs of unusual hot drinks. Tea prepared in this way is not only very tasty, but also extremely healthy. To brew it you will need:
- Large orange.
- A teaspoon of black tea leaves.
- 300 milliliters of drinking water.
- Honey or sugar (to taste).
Carefully remove the peel from the washed orange, pour boiling water over it and leave for ten minutes. Then the liquid is drained, and the zest is placed in a saucepan filled with a small amount of clean water and brought to a boil. The resulting infusion is added to pre-brewed tea and mixed with sugar or natural honey.
Lemonade
This refreshing, sweet drink is perfect for a hot summer day. To prepare it you will need:
- 4 glasses of clean water.
- 6 medium oranges.
- 2 cups sugar.
Carefully remove the skin from thoroughly washed oranges and grind it in a blender. Then the zest is added to two glasses of boiling sweet water and simmered over low heat for five minutes. The resulting drink is cooled and put in the refrigerator. After some time, the remaining water and juice squeezed from six oranges are poured into the almost finished lemonade.
Jam
This option for using orange peels will be useful for thrifty housewives who are accustomed to making homemade canned food. To create this jam you will need:
- 400 grams of sugar.
- 2.0-2.5 glasses of water.
- 400 grams of orange peel.
Practical part
Pre-washed skins are cut into not too large pieces, filled with cold water and left for three days, periodically changing the liquid. After the designated time has passed, the peels are cut into small squares and placed in a suitable container. Syrup made from water and sugar is also added there. All this is sent to the stove and boiled for no longer than five minutes. After the future jam has completely cooled, the heating procedure is repeated twice more. The finished product is packaged in sterile jars, closed with screw caps and stored.
How to make a tincture?
This option for using orange peels will certainly be of interest to lovers of homemade alcohol. The drink prepared in this way is moderately strong and very aromatic. To make this tincture, you will need:
- A liter of homemade moonshine.
- 250 grams of sugar.
- Skins from two oranges.
- 700 milliliters of water.
You need to start the process by obtaining syrup. It is brewed from filtered water and sweet sand. The completely cooled syrup is poured into a jar, at the bottom of which there is already washed citrus peel. Moonshine is also sent there. Cover all this with a lid, shake vigorously and put it in a dark place, not forgetting to shake the container periodically. No earlier than five or seven days later, the drink is filtered through cheesecloth and bottled.
Candied fruit
Lovers of natural sweets will certainly come in handy with another simple way to use orange peels. Candied fruits prepared in this way will not leave anyone with a sweet tooth, big or small, indifferent. To create them you will need:
- 200 milliliters of water.
- 2.5 cups sugar.
- 8 medium oranges.
- 100 grams of dark chocolate.
- ¼ teaspoon citric acid.
Carefully remove the skin from thoroughly washed oranges, cut it into approximately equal long strips, fill them with cold water and leave for three days, taking the time to systematically change the liquid. This is necessary to remove all the bitterness. Then the zest is boiled for ten minutes and rinsed under the tap. The crusts prepared in this way are poured with syrup consisting of water and sugar and simmered over low heat. After some time, citric acid is added to the boiled mixture and heated until all the syrup is absorbed into the zest.
Then the hot skins are carefully placed on parchment, being careful not to get burned, and kept at room temperature for two or three hours. Completely dried candied fruits are dipped one by one in melted chocolate and returned to the paper. As soon as the finished candies have cooled, they are placed in a glass, hermetically sealed jar. Since this delicacy does not contain any harmful additives, you can safely treat even little sweet tooths to it.
Few who use lemon in cooking know how good lemon zest is. Not everyone knows that it not only has a pleasant taste and aroma, but is also a storehouse of vitamins. can be used in baked goods and desserts, as well as in salads or hot dishes. The main thing is to know how to zest a lemon. We will look at some useful tips and tricks in the article.
Lemon zest
What it is? This question may be asked by many inexperienced young housewives. The zest is actually a thin layer of citrus skin. The white pulp, which is located under the skin, is no longer considered zest and is not used in cooking because it is bitter. You can find ready-made lemon zest in grocery stores, but it is better to prepare it yourself, especially since there is absolutely nothing complicated about it.
How to prepare the zest?
For those who have no idea about lemon zest, the photographs will help you understand how to prepare it. To do this, you just need a fine grater or coffee grinder and you should rinse thoroughly, remove stickers, if any, and then scald with boiling water. This is necessary so that the zest comes off better. Then the skin is cut off in a thin layer and left to dry. When it dries and becomes brittle, it needs to be ground into powder (the easiest way to do this is with a blender or coffee grinder). This zest can be stored in a jar for quite a long time and used as needed. However, fresh zest is also added to baked goods. To do this, use a grater to carefully remove the top layer from the lemon and add the resulting shavings to the dough. To make the zest easier to remove, you can keep the lemon in the freezer for a while. But you also need to understand when lemon zest is used that it is not only an amazing aroma and exquisite taste, but also an undoubted benefit to the body.
Beneficial features
Lemon zest has a whole range of beneficial properties and has a beneficial effect on the human body. It helps maintain a healthy skeletal system as it contains large amounts of calcium and vitamin C. In addition, the zest helps prevent diseases such as arthritis or rheumatism. Being a source of bioflavonoids, lemon peel helps remove various toxic substances from the body, which are extremely harmful because they increase the likelihood of developing alcohol addiction and overeating. An equally interesting, but not particularly well-known fact about lemon zest is the possibility of its use for the prevention of cancer. The zest also lowers cholesterol levels, improves heart function, normalizes blood pressure, and prevents the development of diabetes.
Lemon zest can be used as an additional aid to maintain oral hygiene and health as it helps combat bleeding gums. And this is not all the amazing properties of lemon zest. It helps to lose weight, helps cleanse the liver and fight swelling. Therefore, to the question: “Lemon zest - what is it?” we can safely answer that this is not only an indispensable ingredient for many dishes, but also an excellent remedy that can be used to heal and strengthen the body.
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