Fight or Flight Hormones Can Influence Weight Gain

Hormone test results can help determine if your inability to lose weight could be related to hormonal imbalances. In both women and men, too much or too little hormone release can lead to unintentional weight gain. Aside from hormonal imbalances caused by changes in levels of sex hormones, weight gain in both sexes can be influenced by “fight or flight” signals released by the brain. Calories do matter, and they matter more to some people than other people, but hormones are the real chemical messengers that control how your body burns fuel and stores excess fuel at fat. Not making time for physical activity, mindless eating in front of your TV, consuming too much alcohol, or developing a sugar addiction for sugary fountain drinks or specialty coffees are common culprits of unintentional weight gain.

When reproductive hormones discussed below are out of balance, they can interfere with metabolism, cause food cravings, increase abdominal fat, decrease lean muscle mass, and contribute to insulin resistance:

• Estradiol - A man’s body can convert testosterone into estradiol, but too much or too little of this primary form of estrogen can lead to a variety of symptoms including increased belly fat and swollen breast tissue.
• Progesterone – Progesterone in women is a hormone released by the ovaries during ovulation and is also produced to a lesser extent in the adrenal glands. In men, progesterone is produced in the testes and the adrenal glands.
• Testosterone – Despite having somewhat opposite roles in men and women, testosterone is an important biomarker for body weight, fat composition, and metabolism. An optimal level is beneficial for both women and men.
• DHEAs - Low DHEA levels have been linked to a decreased life span in men and, in women, are often associated with a low libido and osteoporosis.
• Cortisol - Cortisol is a catabolic hormone that breaks proteins down to fuel your body during stressful times like illness or trauma. So, avoid calorie-dense foods when you know you’re under a lot of stress.

The level of concentrations of hormone levels in your saliva is a better measure of the hormones that are most likely to impact your body. MRC hormone testing can determine what is available as well as excessive amounts and deficiencies. At Metabolic Research Center, we understand that most of the hormones circulating through your bloodstream are bound to carrier proteins. That’s why we offer an MRC Hormone Test Kit for non-invasive, stress-free diagnostics. The main causes of hormonal imbalances are issues with the thyroid deficiencies, stress management, and eating disorders, but only through hormone testing can you identify your best options for restoring hormone balance. The right hormone test kit for you is the one that has demonstrated it has the sensitivity, accuracy, precision, reliability, and reproducibility to produce the results that you need to manage your hormone imbalances.