The hypothalamus is located immediately below the thalamus at the center of the brain, and controls many automatic functions of the body. The hypothalamus also controls pituitary output by secreting specific chemicals to the pituitary's front lobe. It regulates many body activities, and is partitioned into front and back lobes. The front lobe is stimulated by the hypothalamus, and produces any one of six different hormones that in turn stimulate the thyroid, adrenal and reproductive glands, and also breast milk production. Balance is crucial, because an unhealthy pituitary could cause repercussions to cascade down into all parts of the body.
Growth hormone is manufactured here.
Good nutrition for the pituitary includes alfalfa, kelp, dandelion, bee pollen and spirulina. Magnesium and potassium are important minerals. The thyroid is anchored around the front of the throat near the voice box. To a high degree, metabolism is regulated by the hormone thyroxine, which can be made by the thyroid if enough organic iodine is available. Thyroxine tells all cells to increase activity, and without it cells revert to about half-speed.