Stress Can Have a Very Negative Impact on Hormones

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Hormones regulate various bodily functions and are controlled through interactions between your hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. They travel through your body and interact only with target cells that have compatible receptors.

Hormonal weight gain is reversible or treatable when the underlying cause is identified in a timely manner and correctly managed with guidance. Imbalances in cortisol and thyroid hormones are common culprits for obesity.

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.

Glands and Organs Control Hormonal Flow

Hormonal imbalance in both females and males can be caused by certain medical conditions, lifestyle habits, environmental factors, endocrine glands, or any combination of the hormones 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: 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: It's essential to recognize that different hormones are intended to influence each other. Cortisol released into your bloodstream triggers your body to release insulin. Thus, constant stress can make it easy to gain weight, especially belly fat.

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 primary functions of thyroxin is to increase the basal metabolic rate, regulating the amount of energy the body uses at rest. Thyroid hormones also have a crucial role in metabolism regulation. Imbalances can lead to serious health conditions, weight gain, and fluctuating body temperature.

Since men tend to gain excess weight in the abdominal area while premenopausal women typically add pounds around the hips and thighs, strategies for correcting imbalances involving the same hormones can differ. Along with lifestyle changes, you may also need to consider replacement therapy or medications.

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.