Faulty Estrogen Release Can Impact Belly Fat

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Hormonal weight gain can occur when imbalances suddenly cause problems with weight management. Hormones like leptin, insulin, estrogens, androgens, and growth hormone can influence your appetite, metabolism, and body fat storage.

Hormone production and release may naturally decrease with age, while some actually increase. Since hormones are potent messengers, even small amounts can have significant effects.

Some hormones are produced and released in response to other hormones, while others are released due to nerve stimuli. Nonetheless, slow acting hormones must enter the cell nucleus to reach the target receptor. Low estrogen levels can contribute to gaining fat in the belly area, and stress can also throw your hormones out of whack. So if you're struggling with anxiety or that extra weight around your waist, it could be due to a hormonal imbalance.

Accumulating Body Fat Due to Hormone Imbalance?

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: As a woman approaches perimenopause and beyond, the lower production of this important sex hormone can lead to estrogen dominance, insulin resistance, and the subsequent buildup of hormonal belly fat.

Progesterone: When there's not enough progesterone, women may experience irregular periods, headaches, mood changes, and even loss of sleep. Men with low testosterone levels may have a low sex drive, hair loss, fatigue, and loss of muscle mass.

Testosterone: Women with increased testosterone production may exhibit male physical characteristics, such as muscle bulk, facial and body hair, and a deepening voice. On the other hand, low testosterone levels in men can cause irritability, aggression, and worsening skin acne.

Insulin: Exercise, particularly routines or activities that target belly fat, can help reduce circulating insulin and encourage your liver to break down fatty acids, including visceral fat deposits. So, the fat-storage hormone plays a major role in how effectively and efficiently your metabolism works.

Cortisol: When you feel like indulging in fries and a milkshake instead of eating a balanced meal, it may be due to excess cortisol from either immediate or constant stress, or both. To boot, excess hormone can lower testosterone levels and slow your metabolism.

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 obesity.

Hormones can play a significant role in how your body signals hunger and uses the energy you consume. Imbalances often lead to weight gain, particularly in the form of fat storage around the waist, hips and thighs. Prioritize your goals for health living by maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

The best way to address hormonal weight gain is by balancing your hormones. This can be achieved through lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical activity, sufficient sleep, and stress management. Exercise can increase leptin levels and improve insulin sensitivity. But, balancing hormones is a personal journey that can take time.