The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and release hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through your blood stream to tissues and organs. Hormones help to control many important bodily functions and affect nearly every cell and organ in the body. They affect the body’s ability to produce the energy that is needed to power cells, they stimulate cell growth and development, affect your mood, strengthen bones, influence sexual functions and control your metabolism. There are many different types of hormone disorders and diabetes is an example of an imbalance in Insulin (see our diabetes section).