Losing weight is not just down to being healthy and exercising. You also have to make sure your hormones are in balance, because any fluctuation in you’re body’s homeostasis can make extra fat difficult to get rid of. This is particular true for women. If you want to learn more, keep reading.
What are Hormones?
Hormones control the critical reactions and functions of the body, including glucose uptake, menopause, inflammation, metabolism and more. A disturbed hormonal balance may be caused by meager lifestyle choices, genes, age and stress, and symptoms include uncontrollable hunger, indigestion, metabolism and sudden weight gain.
Although women are used to their hormones fluctuating, chronic hormonal imbalance can put you more at risk of longterm diseases and obesity. Now, let’s look at which hormones are associated with sudden weight gain, and how you can overcome this.
Glucocorticoids
This particular hormone helps reduce usage of sugar or glucose as the energy source. This causes blood sugar levels to speak and creates an insulin resistance. Sound familiar? This will cause diabetes if left untreated. To reduce your glucocorticoids level:
- Don’t follow crash diets, because they may increase inflammation in your body.
- Drink 3-4 liters of water every day.
- Get about 7-8 hours of sleep.
- Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein like seeds, nuts and fish oil to reduce the inflammation.
- Reduce mental and physical stress to reduce inflammation.
Melatonin
This hormone comes from our pineal gland, which helps maintain cardiac rhythm during exercise or resting periods. Our melatonin levels tend to rise in the evening and subside again in the morning. If this is disturbed, we won’t get enough sleep and can end up stressed, a combination that causes weight gain and other health issues. To raise you melatonin levels:
- Eat almonds, coriander, sunflower seeds, cherries and other foods that are rich in melatonin.
- Turn off electronic devices before going to sleep.
- Don’t eat late at night.
- Get about 7-8 hours of sleep.
- Sleep in a dark room.
Progesterone
This hormone, together with estrogen, must be in balance in order to help the body function properly. To bring progesterone levels up:
- Avoid stress
- Practice deep breathing
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid consuming processed meat
Testosterone
Women have mild levels of testosterone, which helps burn fat, strengthen bones and increase the libido. Low testosterone levels are connected to obesity, loss of muscle mass, loss of bone density and depression. This can increase inflammation and stress, which results in weight gain. To bring your testosterone levels up:
- Take protein and zinc supplements.
- Avoid alcohol, as it may damage the kidney and liver.
- Take vitamin C, magnesium and probiotics to prevent constipation.
- Talk to your doctor to check your testosterone levels.
Ghrelin
This is the hunger hormone for hunger, stimulating the appetite and controling fat deposition. A small level of ghrelin may also come from the small intestine, pancreas and brain. Excess levels can cause weight gain, but you can reduce them by doing the following:
- Keep active.
- Drink about one and a half cups of water 20 minutes before eating a meal.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods.
- Eat every 2 to 3 hours.
Thyroid
This gland is in the neck, and it produces three hormones: calcitonin, T3 and T4. All of these hormones are capable of regulating brain development, growth, heart rate, sleep and the metabolism. Hypothyroidism is an underproduction of the thyroid hormone, which may result in weight gain. To treat a thyroid imbalance, you may:
- Take thyroid medications as prescribed.
- Consume vitamin D supplements and fish oil.
- Consume iodized salt.
- Avoid eating raw vegetables.
These are just a few of the hormones which may affect or contribute to weight gain. Always remember that it is important to consult your doctor about any symptoms you’re experiencing, and don’t start any medication without medical approval.
