Could Your Hormones Be Out-of-Whack?

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If you are having problems with weight control, hormones produced in glands and released into your bloodstream give instructions for various bodily processes like growth, metabolism, mood and unexpected weight gain or weight loss resistance. Hormones like leptin, insulin, estrogens, and androgens play a big role in your appetite, metabolism, and body fat distribution.

Hormonal imbalances are common in women during certain life stages like menstruation, puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Other culprits include medical conditions, lifestyle habits, environmental factors, and faulty endocrine glands. Imbalances in hormones can lead to fatigue, weight gain, itchy skin, and low mood. Plus, dysfunction can impact other glands and organs.

Common Culprits for Gaining Weight

Testing hormone levels can assist in identifying any imbalances in thyroid, reproductive, and stress hormones, all of which can impact weight management. Discussed below are the most common culprits for sudden weight gain and difficulty in losing unwanted pounds, including:

Estrogen: As a woman enters menopause, her body produces less estrogen. This decrease in hormone becomes critical to her bone health and can lead to osteoporosis, where bones and cartilage become more fragile and porous.

Progesterone: Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum gland that appears in the female body after ovulation. One of its roles is to prepare the uterus for pregnancy as well as support the early stages of pregnancy.

Testosterone: Maintaining optimal testosterone balance leads to a higher quality of life that may include reduced belly fat, increased muscle mass, improved libido, better cognition, higher energy levels, and improved sexual performance.

Insulin: Insulin increases feelings of hunger and in turn promotes fat storage, especially in the abdominal area. So, better managing blood sugar levels can reduce insulin release to help decrease belly fat over time. Exercise can lower circulating insulin levels and encourage you liver to use visceral fat deposits.

Cortisol: When exposed to high levels of cortisol, your body undergoes changes that can result in the relocation and deposition of fat, particularly in the belly area. To reduce this cortisol belly fat, it's important to ensure your diet includes a balance of protein, healthy fats, and foods rich in nutrients.

Thyroid Hormone: Among its significant responsibilities, thyroxin hormone increases the basal metabolic rate, influencing the body's energy expenditure at rest. Additionally, thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, and an imbalance in these hormones can contribute to conditions like Grave's disease or Hashimoto's disease.

Gaining a better understanding of hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, insulin, human growth hormone, serotonin, and melatonin, is essential for anyone who has a goal for healthy living. Hormones play a crucial role in how you feel both mentally and physically.

Critical hormone imbalances can lead to unexplained weight gain and difficulty with losing weight and keeping it off. Consuming overly processed foods with added sugar and fat is closely linked to hormonal imbalance and weight gain from unsightly fat storage. Our MRC Hormone Test Kit is easy to use and can help you achieve your goals for healthy living.