Do You Struggle To Lose Weight And Keep It Off? Does Your Hormones Cause Weight Gain?

Do you struggle to lose weight and keep it off? Does your hormones cause weight gain?

It may not be your lack of willpower or discipline, but rather a hormonal imbalance. Weight is directly related to hormones, and maintaining a healthy weight requires a balance of hormones. If certain hormones are out of balance, weight gain often results. This is why understanding the intricate inner workings of our many hormones is crucial to achieving sustainable weight loss. Here we’ll explore some of the most important hormones when it comes to weight loss and gain and how to balance them for optimal health.

Insulin

Insulin is one of the most important hormones when it comes to weight loss and weight gain. Made by the pancreas, insulin is responsible for storing blood sugar, or utilizing it, depending upon your body’s needs of the moment. After you eat a large meal, a substantial amount of insulin releases itself into the bloodstream. It also enters the bloodstream as needed throughout the day, ensuring that blood sugar levels remain stable.

Another key function of this essential hormone is fat storage. Insulin decides how much fat to store and how much to convert for energy expenditure. Chronically high levels of insulin can lead to insulin resistance, which is linked to an uptick in blood sugar as well as continued elevated insulin levels.

To balance insulin levels, avoid overeating foods that cause insulin resistance such as sugar, fast food, and processed carbohydrates. Restricting carbohydrates in your diet, drinking green tea, consuming omega-3 fatty acids, and eating adequate amounts of protein all help balance insulin levels.

Leptin

Leptin is like insulin in that it regulates fat storage and acts as an appetite suppressant hormone. You can think of leptin as the appetite suppressant hormone. Made within your fat cells, leptin is what makes you feel satiated. It “talks” to your brain, telling it when you feel hungry or full. When leptin levels are balanced, you don’t overeat because you feel full after eating a well-rounded meal, and that fullness lasts for hours. Eating trans fats and processed foods over the long term eventually leads to leptin resistance, making it difficult to balance leptin levels. Eating adequate amounts of protein, avoiding sugar, and consuming an anti-inflammatory diet can help balance leptin levels.

Gherlin

Ghrelin, known as the hunger hormone, stimulates appetite. It communicates with the brain, signaling the need to eat when the stomach is empty.

How to balance ghrelin levels?

Eat adequate amounts of protein. Protein helps you feel full and should be consumed with every meal. Studies show how eating protein  and avoiding sugar promotes healthy ghrelin levels.

Cortisol

Cortisol is produced within the adrenal glands and is known as the stress hormone. It’s essential for survival but is produced far too often in the modern era. Heightened cortisol is linked to overeating. Ever notice how you eat when you’re stressed? A study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology found that higher than normal cortisol levels were linked to overeating and weight gain. Another study links elevated cortisol levels to an increase in belly fat. To control cortisol levels, consider relaxation techniques, exercise regularly (including yoga), listen to music. Get enough sleep at night. Have you ever noticed how easily stressed and anxious you become on days when you’re sleep deprived?

Estrogen

Estrogen is responsible for the optimal functioning of all female reproductive organs and promotes the storage of fat for healthy reproductive years. When there’s too little or too much estrogen, weight gain often results. Committing to regular exercise, eating fiber-rich foods, consuming cruciferous vegetables, reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors, and choosing organic foods and phthalate-free products can help balance estrogen levels.

Understanding the role of different hormones and their impact on weight is crucial to achieving sustainable weight loss and overall well-being. Addressing hormonal imbalances through lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and quality sleep, can lead to sustainable weight loss and overall well-being. By taking the proper steps to balance these hormones, we can achieve a healthy weight in a sustainable, healthy way.

If you have any questions or would like more information on how to balance your hormones for optimal health and wellness, don't hesitate to contact me. Together, we can work towards achieving your goals and living your best life.

I'm here to help you on your journey.