Hormones Have a Big Impact on Wellness

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Over 50 hormones have been identified in the human body, each with its unique role to play. But, understanding your hormones is just the beginning. It can require harnessing the power of healthy habits to naturally restore critical balance.

For hormones to have the desired effect, target tissues must possess receptors that can receive and interpret their messages. Take, for instance, the collaboration between your pituitary gland and thyroid.

Most hormones in the body are proteins, except for the sex hormones and those from the adrenal cortex, which are steroids. The hypothalamus, which is part of your brain, is responsible for maintaining balance in the endocrine system. It works closely with the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of your brain, to regulate the function of other glands. Even small changes in hormone levels can have a big impact on your health.

Hormones Affect Weight Maintenance

Hormone testing assists in identifying any imbalances in thyroid, reproductive, and stress hormones, which can affect weight maintenance. Discussed below are hormones that can aid or hinder weight control, such as:

Estrogen: Estrogen is a crucial hormone for females and is responsible for many distinct characteristics in women, such as ovulation, menstruation and breast development, but men with increased belly fat are at high risk of estrogen dominance.

Testosterone: While women experience a sudden decline in estrogen levels in mid-life, men typically experience a gradual decline in testosterone starting around age 30. This decline can contribute to weight gain and fatigue.

Progesterone: Research suggests that too much progesterone may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. On the other hand, a sudden drop in progesterone levels during pregnancy can lead to premature labor or miscarriage.

Insulin: Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels by converting glucose into a usable form that receptor cells can absorb. In fact, insulin instructs cells to create more entry points on the surface which allows more glucose to enter the cell from your bloodstream. This ensures the cell has enough energy to get the job done.

Cortisol: High cortisol levels cause fat to be stored in the abdomen, leading to what's often referred to as cortisol belly fat. To combat an adrenal belly, it's important to better manage stress and make healthier lifestyle choices.

Thyroid Hormone: If you are struggling with weight gain and constantly feel fatigued, your thyroid gland may not be producing enough hormone. This small but mighty gland located in your neck produces crucial thyroxin that regulate your metabolism and can wreak havoc on your weight control and overall well-being.

Although you would like to believe you have complete control over your body, it's important to remember that hormones can play a significant role in your physical and emotional health. Understanding hormones like testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, insulin, human growth hormone, serotonin, and melatonin is essential for taking care of your health and wellness.

Providing your body with essential nutrients like fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants helps regulate hormone production and supports weight loss. It's important to minimize processed foods, added sugars, and unhealthy fats for optimal hormone health. To learn more about Metabolic Research Center’s personalized approach to healthy living, visit us online now.