Deal with Imbalances in a Timely Manner

Dealing with hormonal weight gain in a timely manner is critical not only for managing your weight but also for reducing your risk of developing other health conditions and chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes or obesity.

There are over fifty different hormones in the human body that control various processes through the autonomic nervous system, without requiring conscious actions. But, hormones only affect receptor cells that trigger the desired response.

It's important to understand that hormones are controlled by your hypothalamus, a section of your brain that acts as the control center for your body. It works hard to maintain a stable state of homeostasis that can make it difficult to lose weight. It is a delicate balance, and when it comes to weight loss, things get really tricky. Cutting back on calories can slow down your metabolism to retain stored fat, and intense exercise can release leptin hormone intensifying feelings of hunger.

Hormone Tests Can Identify Abnormal Metabolism

Hormone tests can indicate if weight gain or difficulty losing weight is due abnormal metabolism and the accumulation of body fat due to imbalances in hormones like those discussed below:

Estrogen: Estrogen hormone influences where a woman’s body stores fat. It contributes to the typical pattern of fat distribution in the breasts, buttocks, and thighs, giving women their feminine shape.

Progesterone: Progesterone is a key hormone involved in the female reproductive system. Although the hormone is not as well-known as estrogen, it plays a key role in a woman’s menstrual cycle and early stages of pregnancy.

Testosterone: Good nutritional choices and the subsequent hormonal changes both play significant roles in men's health. It impacts the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease. Similar to women, men can routinely experience hormonal shifts.

Insulin: Insulin is released by beta cells in your pancreas. The fat-storage hormone helps decrease glucose concentration in your bloodstream. Insulin helps cells to properly utilize energy as fuel or as fat being stored for later use. Bad habits can make it more difficult for your body to use insulin.

Cortisol: Cortisol is the survival hormone. In addition to triggering the release of stored fat for immediate fuel to energize your body, eventually it increases your appetite to replenish fat storage in cells. Elevate levels tend to increase cravings for salty, sugary and fatty foods.

Thyroid Hormone: One of the key symptoms of hypothyroidism is having to go up a few pant sizes. When the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, the metabolism slows down, reducing the calories needed by the body and leading to weight gain. Even mild cases of hypothyroidism can increase the risk of weight gain and is often accompanied by a puffy face.

Hormonal weight gain isn't just about appearance. It can lead to a variety of health issues with serious implications. That's why it's crucial to address and treat the underlying cause of hormonal imbalances. As you age, changes in your hormone levels can also lead to low mood, poor sleep, and feelings of fatigue. While specific foods may not directly boost hormones like leptin, a poor diet and excess weight can make these hormones less effective and lead to changes in fat-storing cells. which release more leptin during physical activity.

Visit MRC online to take control of your hormones and say goodbye to unexplained weight gain.