What Is A Hormone Imbalance
A hormone imbalance is when the hormones in our bodies are not functioning at the right level. This occurs when there is too much of one hormone, not enough of a hormone, or a combination of the two. When you have a hormonal imbalance you are likely to feel worn down and see physical symptoms like weight gain, muscle fatigue, and even issues with your heart and other vital organs. When your hormones are balanced you feel great, full of energy, and usually have great overall health.
Which Hormones Help You Lose Weight
Hormones play a key role in weight management. When they are out of balance, it can result in weight gain or make it difficult to lose weight. If you are trying to lose weight, certain hormones must be available in adequate amounts for that to occur. Read more to find out which hormones you need to help you manage your weight loss.
Beware Rebound Weight Gain That Can Occur When Hormone Therapy Stops
There is something of a catch. The benefit may last only as long as the therapy. Ultimately, if youre stopping hormone therapy, also talk to your doctor about the risk of increasing belly fat, as well as what you can do in terms of diet and exercise to prevent this weight rebound, says Pinkerton.
Originally appeared in the spring 2019 issue of the American Fitness Magazine.
A quick online search for weight loss strategies reveals a plethora of hormone-balancing diets, supplements and medications. The premise behind these products is that hormonestiny chemical messengers that regulate physiological processesget out of balance, causing weight gain or foiling attempts to lose weight.
That seems like a reasonable claim, but is it true? What should you say when clients ask about hormones and weight management? In this article, well provide answers on the links between body weight and five of the most talked about hormone imbalances: those relating to insulin, cortisol, the thyroid hormones, testosterone and estrogen. Ill review the science and outline nutrition and exercise strategies to help your clients overcome weight loss plateaus and succeed at long-term weight loss.
The hormone issues discussed below often fade away with proper diet, exercise, sleep and stress management. Supplements and specialized diets typically address the symptoms of hormone imbalances, not the causes. Your clients may get better results if they understand the difference between the two.
Lets dive in!
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How Do Hormones Affect Weight Loss
Hormones are chemical messengers that are essential because they control many vital processes in your body. Hormones control how hungry you feel, how your body breaks down food, your sleep and wake cycles, and energy levels. Hormones can therefore influence your ability to lose body fat, maintain muscle, handle stress, and experience hunger.
If you have a hormonal imbalance, either too little or too much of a specific hormone, it can affect your body weight. For instance, if you have a thyroid dysfunction called hypothyroidism, you have an under-active thyroid gland that produces an inadequate amount of the thyroid hormones. Having a reduced production of thyroid hormones is a common cause of weight gain.
Gut hormones also have an extensive role in weight loss or weight gain. An imbalance in intestinal hormones can affect how your body metabolizes food. Gut hormones control insulin secretion and are essential for blood glucose and body weight.
Youre Experiencing New Cravings
Hormones might cause your hormonal belly if youre experiencing some new cravings that are unusual for you, especially for sugary foods. If youre finding yourself with a constant sweet tooth, your body might be struggling with insulin resistance.
Due to your cells not properly absorbing insulin, high insulin levels will signal your body to store more fat. Elevated insulin levels can also cause increased amounts of the hormone leptin, which gives you a feeling of fullness after eating. High leptin levels combined with insulin resistance can lead you to start excessively eating sugary foods, resulting in lower belly weight gain over time.
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Engage In Regular Exercise
Physical activity can strongly influence hormonal health. A major benefit of exercise is its ability to reduce insulin levels and increase insulin sensitivity.
Insulin is a hormone that has several functions. One is allowing cells to take up sugar and amino acids from the bloodstream, which are then used for energy and maintaining muscle.
However, a little insulin goes a long way. Too much can be downright dangerous.
High insulin levels have been linked to inflammation, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Whats more, they are connected to insulin resistance, a condition in which your cells dont respond properly to insulins signals .
Many types of physical activity have been found to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin levels, including aerobic exercise, strength training and endurance exercise (
18 ).
For people who are unable to perform vigorous exercise, even regular walking may increase these hormone levels, potentially improving strength and quality of life .
Although a combination of resistance and aerobic training seems to provide the best results, engaging in any type of physical activity on a regular basis is beneficial.
Summary:
Performing strength training, aerobics, walking or other forms of physical activity can modify hormone levels in a way that reduces the risk of disease and protects muscle mass during the aging process.
Hormone Imbalance: The Missing Link To Weight Loss
At Metabolic Research Center we take a holistic approach to weight loss, tackling it from every angle. One of the aspects we consider is how hormones impact your ability to lose weight. This is why we offer hormone testing as an option with all Metabolic plans. Research shows that 96% of our clients have a hormone imbalance making weight loss feel like an uphill battle. Our clients find that after testing their hormones, and working to gently correct imbalances, they feel better, their symptoms improve, and their weight loss becomes easier. Let’s take a deeper look at hormones and how hormone testing can help uncover the missing link to your weight loss.
This quick quiz will ask several questions to assess whether you are experiencing symptoms that can indicate a hormone imbalance. Let’s start by learning more about you.
Estrogen dominance is a type of hormone imbalance that occurs when estrogen becomes too high relative to progesterone, the hormone that keeps estrogen in check. Hormone imbalance tends to be particularly symptomatic during perimenopause when cycles become irregular, at menopause when cycles end, and in women of all ages who are not ovulating. Estrogen dominance is worsened by high stress , poor diet and exercise, synthetic hormone use or overexposure to toxins in our foods and environment.
Symptoms of estrogen dominance
- Mood swings/PMS/depression
- Low libido
For a complete hormonal picture we test all of the following hormones together:
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Learn More About Hormone Pellets And Weight Loss Today
Now that you understand the connection between hormone pellets and weight loss, you may want to know whether this treatment is right for you. We can help!
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
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Hormone Balance For Weight Loss: Fact Or Fiction
Originally appeared in the spring 2019 issue of the American Fitness Magazine.
A quick online search for weight loss strategies reveals a plethora of hormone-balancing diets, supplements and medications. The premise behind these products is that hormonestiny chemical messengers that regulate physiological processesget out of balance, causing weight gain or foiling attempts to lose weight.
That seems like a reasonable claim, but is it true? What should you say when clients ask about hormones and weight management? In this article, well provide answers on the links between body weight and five of the most talked about hormone imbalances: those relating to insulin, cortisol, the thyroid hormones, testosterone and estrogen. Ill review the science and outline nutrition and exercise strategies to help your clients overcome weight loss plateaus and succeed at long-term weight loss.
The hormone issues discussed below often fade away with proper diet, exercise, sleep and stress management. Supplements and specialized diets typically address the symptoms of hormone imbalances, not the causes. Your clients may get better results if they understand the difference between the two.
Lets dive in!
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How To Balance Estrogen For Weight Loss:
To avoid estrogen dominance, you want to keep a fine balance between your progesterone and estrogen.
Integrative Medicine Doctor Sara Gottfried, M.D., recommends eating a pound of veggies per day, as she states the fiber will help remove any excess estrogen from the body.
Gottfried also recommends that women should aim for 35 to 45 gram of fiber intake per day, increasing their amount slowly so as not to cause stomach upset.
You can also naturally balance estrogen dominance by:
- Reducing your red meat intake
- Eliminating excess sugar or processed foods
- Exercising daily to promote detoxification
- Tags:Postmenopausal and Obesity
Much research has shown that being overweight or obese increases a womans risk of being diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Doctors donât completely understand why extra weight is associated with higher hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer risk. Its likely that extra body fat increases levels of estrogen and other hormones. Higher hormone levels can increase breast cancer risk.
A study supports the link between excess weight and higher hormone levels. The study found that estrogen and testosterone levels dropped quite a bit when overweight and obese women lost weight. The results were published online May 21, 2012 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Read the abstract of Reduced-Calorie Dietary Weight Loss, Exercise, and Sex Hormones in Postmenopausal Women: Randomized Controlled Trial.
How Do Hormones Work
Hormones are little chemical messengers that travel through your blood to communicate with different parts of the body. They are the way that your brain and organs such as your Thyroid, communicate with your tissues and keep everything running smoothly.
A hormone imbalance happens when there is too much or too little of a hormone available. Even a slight change will have a big impact on your overall health and how you feel.
Hormones work together too so that an issue with one hormone will have a knock on effect on the others.
Hormones tend to fluctuate too depending on your life stage. Puberty and pregnancy are obvious times when hormones change. However the menopause is a very dramatic time for hormonal fluctuation.
Your lifestyle and any medical conditions you have also affect your hormone levels.
Can a hormone imbalance cause weight gain? Yes, if your hormones are unbalanced its hard to lose weight.
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A Neat Way To Burn Calories
Many trainers get too focused on the calories clients burn during their training session and forget about how much they move the rest of the day . This other energy expenditure is called non-exercise activity thermogenesis , and it actually makes up the bulk of calories burned in a days activity.
If your clients are sedentary, ensuring theyre getting enough movement during the day should be a top priority. The suggestion for 10,000 steps is a great place to start. In the short term, apps or fitness trackers can be very effective tools for showing clients how inactive they truly are.
It can take 812 weeks to build new movement habits. Walking to work, taking the stairs, parking as far away from the entrance as possible , or doing a daily or nightly walk with friends or loved ones are all great ways to add more movement into the day.
If you want more context on NEAT, read this resourcenext!
How Is Hormonal Weight Gain Different
When weight gain is the result of hormones, simple shifts in diet and exercise habits arent always enough, and a medical diagnosis is needed to identify the source and prescribe correct treatment.
Hormones are your bodys chemical messengers, controlling such important elements as growth, sexual function, reproduction, metabolism and even your mood. And changes in these hormones can sometimes result in unexpected and uncontrollable weight gain. A few examples include:
Estrogen shifts. During menopause, a decrease in estrogen is linked to lower muscle mass and increased fat stores for women, usually around the midsection. Conversely, higher than normal estrogen levels can cause endometriosis, fibroids or menstrual bloating.
Testosterone decreases. For both men and women, a decrease in testosterone means reduction in muscle mass, which lowers the bodys metabolic rate, resulting in increased body fat.
Increased androgens. In women, an increase in hormones called androgens is linked to polycystic ovary syndrome , which not only interferes with fertility but can cause cysts and weight gain.
Diabetes. Treating diabetes can cause weight gain if your daily prescribed insulin intake is higher than the energy you burn each day.
Thyroid deficiency. Underactive thyroid, also called hypothyroidism, slows the bodys ability to burn calories.
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Which Hormones Make You Lose Weight
Some major hormones in the body are associated with weight gain or loss. If you are able to correct hormonal imbalances, you may see a significant reduction in your body weight.
Endocrinologists, physicians that specialize in metabolism and hormones, can help confirm the cause of your weight gain and determine if hormonal therapy is going to affect your weight loss. They can also help you work on a treatment plan, prescribe medications, and monitor your progress.
However, not all hormonal imbalances require hormone replacement. Some hormonal issues may fade away with lifestyle changes such as exercise, proper diet, sleep, and stress management. Specialized diets and supplements may address the symptoms of hormonal imbalances, but they often do not address the cause.
Here are some hormones that affect your weight and may help you lose weight if adequately controlled:
What You Can Eat
Turner calls her food plan Glyci-Med, since its a mix of foods low on the glycemic index and a traditional Mediterranean diet.
Foods you can eat include lean protein vegetables and most fruit chia seeds, flaxseeds, and most nuts olive oil and some other unsaturated oils and fats, like canola oil and whole grains like buckwheat, brown rice, and quinoa.
On this plan, youll avoid or minimize caffeine, alcohol, fried foods, processed meat, peanuts, saturated fat, full-fat dairy, artificial sweeteners, and simple high-GI carbs like white bread.
Youll eat often every 3-4 hours making healthy food choices at least 80% of the time. But you do get one to two cheat meals a week.
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What Is Hormonal Belly
In a condition in which the ovaries or adrenal glands produce too much of the male hormones, common symptoms are irregular periods, acne and unwanted weight gain, belly fat included. To avoid this, studies have been conducted to confirm the link between hormone replacement therapy and weight loss.
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How Do I Balance My Hormonal Fluctuations To Lose Weight
There are several ways to balance your hormones to help you lose weight. The best way to pick a treatment plan for this is to have your hormone levels tested and talk to your doctor about hormone therapy. The best way to lose weight with a hormonal imbalance is to provide yourself with the best possible nutrition for weight loss and daily activity. Depending on your unique hormone levels some vitamins and minerals may have a better effect on you than others.
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Signs And Symptoms Of A Hormonal Imbalance
Your hormones play an integral role in your overall health. As a result, theres a broad range of signs and symptoms that could signal a hormonal imbalance. Your signs or symptoms will depend on which hormones or glands are not working properly.
Common hormonal conditions affecting people of all genders could cause any of the following signs or symptoms:
- rounded face
- purple or pink stretch marks
Keep in mind that these symptoms are nonspecific. Having one or a few of them doesnt necessarily mean that you have a hormonal imbalance.
Some of these symptoms may also reflect other chronic conditions. So, if you find yourself dealing with any notable changes in your body or energy levels, its a good idea to talk with your doctor.
How To Balance Hormones For Weight Loss
Home > Blog > Weight Loss | May 2, 2022
Are you having difficulty losing weight even when you cut your calories, follow a weight loss diet, and exercise regularly? Does it seem like no matter what you do, you cant seem to lose weight? Take heart! you are not alone. One of the most common causes of weight loss difficulty is a hormone imbalance. Hormone imbalances have been linked to reduced metabolism and increased fat storage, which can make it difficult to lose weight. Lets take a look into how to balance hormones for weight loss.
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Get Sufficient Sleep For Faster Weight Loss
It may not seem like it, but while youre sleeping your body is busy doing the most important work for your well-being. Heres what I mean
You see, in order to reset your weight loss hormones your body needs time for R& R .
Rest and Repair cant occur when youre awake because youre already busy thinking, executing, planning and eating.
So, your sleep hours are when your body puts all the good stuff the smoothies, anti-inflammatory foods and supplements to use.
Give yourself enough sleep time every night, so that your body can do the hard work for you.
Thats hard work that you wont have to worry about