Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain

If you are eating healthy, exercising, even dieting and can't seem to be able to lose weight then hormone imbalance might be the cause of your weight gain. It might be time to get your hormones checked.

Weight gain and hormone imbalance are linked closely to each other. If any of your hormones are out of balance that could cause your metabolism to slow down and your body will start to store more fat and will prevent successful fat loss. Therefore, making it hard or even impossible for you to lose any weight or to reach your desired weight. Get your hormones balanced and lose weight fast.

Stress Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain

Cortisol also known as the "stress hormone" is important for the maintenance of blood pressure as well as the provision of energy for the body. Cortisol stimulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism for fast energy, and stimulates insulin release and maintenance of blood sugar levels.

When we are under stress (emotional and physical) our body produces higher levels of cortisol. Too much cortisol increases cravings and appetite. Too much cortisol can also affect the metabolic system, causing irregular menstrual cycles, slows growth, ulcers, loss of muscle mass and libido. Too much cortisol can suppress the digestive system, the reproductive system and the growth processes.

Cortisol levels can be determined through saliva testing to see if your levels have elevated.

Therefore, it is very important to learn how to control stress in our daily lives to try and bring down the production of cortisol.

Good sleep of 7.5 to 9 hours per night can help reduce cortisol level.

Meditation and relaxation are also good ways of fighting chronic stress.

Short and intensive cardio or weight training exercises, lasting no longer than 35 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week can also help reduce cortisol levels in your body.

Insulin Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain

Insulin is the hormone that is produced by the pancreas and regulates blood glucose (sugar) levels. Eating large amounts of carbohydrates such as starches and sugars elevate the levels of insulin produced by the pancreas. If the sugar in the blood is not converted in to energy fast enough it will be converted and stored as fat by the body.

If cells become resistant to insulin them more levels will be produced which ultimately help storage of fat.

To assist this imbalance you should eat low glycemic foods which do not include any sugar or starch. You should also speak with your health care provider for assessing you insulin levels and providing you with additional guidelines to follow.

Progesterone Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain

Progesterone is a hormone released by the ovaries and it is essential for the functioning of the female reproductive system.

Symptoms of progesterone deficiency include;

• Weight gain
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Hypersensitivity
• Nervousness
• Restless sleep
• Headaches/migraines before menstruation
• Breast tenderness
• Decreased libido
• Heavy periods.

Normal levels of progesterone, helps us burn calories instead of storing them as fat.

Levels of progesterone can be accessed through blood testing or saliva hormone testing and low levels can be balanced by taking progesterone if prescribed by your doctor.

Testosterone Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain

Testosterone is usually thought of as the "male" hormone but women produce it as well just in smaller quantities. It is produced by the adrenal gland and the ovaries. Testosterone is responsible for regulating sexual function, development of muscle mass and bone density. Testosterone levels in women start declining after the age of 30.

Those women who are insulin resistance produce excess insulin which causes excessive production in testosterone in return which can affect amongst other things your metabolism. As a result many women have cravings for high-fat sweet and carbohydrates.

A blood test can determine the level of testosterone produced by the body.

Estrogen Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain

Estrogen is known as the primary female sex hormone. The main function of estrogens is development of female secondary sexual characteristics such as breasts, endometrium, regulation of the menstrual cycle etc.

Estrogen and progesterone work in synchronization to achieve hormonal balance. When more estrogen is produced than progesterone then there is an imbalance and we get what is known as estrogen dominance.

Estrogen dominance can lead to weight gain. In menopausal women this gain is usually in the mid section.

Thyroid Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain

The thyroid glad is located in the neck. One of the functions of the thyroid hormone is to help regulate metabolism. If your thyroid hormone production is below normal levels - "hypothyroidism" it can lead to uncontrollable weight gain. Your Dr. will check for TSH, T3 and T4 levels through a simple blood test.

Some symptoms of hypothyroidism are;

• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Increased Cholesterol levels
• Feeling cold
• Brittle nails
• Hair loss

Diagnosed hypothyroidism can easy be treated by taking hormone replacement tablets prescribed by your doctor.

Hormones are very important in regulating many functions in our bodies and their imbalance can cause many health issues. Their function in quite complex and there are many interrelationships between hormones and their effects on us.

If you have been trying everything to lose weight but you have failed then you might want to consult your doctor who can assess your hormone levels by running some tests and you can discuss if hormone replacement therapy would be a good option to alleviate your symptoms and help you lose the unwanted weight.

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