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You are always on a diet, you hardly eat anything. Or you work out until your biceps hurt and your face is blue. But nothing seems to work. Weight loss used to be very easy for you, but now even losing a few pounds is a battle that you can’t seem to win. Like many women, she does not know what to do. But your inability to control your weight may be due to something you never thought about; your hormones. The following hormones can make the difference between losing and gaining weight
Leptin
Leptin is a hormone that is produced in fat cells. It sends a message to your brain that tells it that you are hungry or full. It works quite well when you are in balance, but if you are not, you can overeat and gain weight. Prolonged leptin imbalance can result in leptin resistance. People with leptin resistance will feel hungry even if they have eaten a full meal. But there are ways to avoid leptin resistance. Here are a few:
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Avoid leptin resistant foods. This means staying away from foods that contain trans fat and processed foods. A long-term diet of these types of foods can eventually lead to leptin resistance.
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Avoid sugar. Sugar can cause leptin levels to spike and make you feel hungry when you don’t have it.
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Exercise. Regular exercise increases both your energy and your metabolism
Ghrelin
Ghrelin like leptin controls appetite. When the stomach is empty, it releases ghrelin into the bloodstream. Then the brain receives a message that it is time to eat. The more of this hormone in your bloodstream, the more you want to eat. The less, the more satiated you will feel. In many overweight people, this hormone is out of sync with the brain and they tend to eat when they are not hungry. There are ways to restore ghrelin balance:
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Eat more protein. Protein tends to make your stomach feel full. It can prevent ghrelin from sending the wrong message to the brain. If you are vegan, don’t worry. The protein source can be of plant or animal origin.
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Avoid foods that contain high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup can wreak havoc on your hormones. Studies have shown it and other forms of sugar are one of the main causes of weight gain.
Estrogen
Have you ever heard women talk about gaining weight when they started going through menopause? Well, estrogen is likely to be the culprit. Estrogen is a hormone that is made in the ovaries. When estrogen is in balance, the optimal amount of fat is stored to keep the reproductive organs functioning. But when there is an estrogen imbalance, such as when a woman goes through menopause, too much fat is stored and can lead to weight gain.
For women who want to replace the estrogen they lost during menopause, there are a few options:
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Hormone replacement therapy or HRT. Your doctor may prescribe estrogen to replace the amount lost through menopause.
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Avoid BPA. BPA is an endocrine disrupting chemical. The endocrine system produces hormones that regulate metabolism. When BPA enters your system, it can interfere with the functioning of these hormones. BPA can be found in plastic food containers and water bottles. Reduce your exposure by using paper or glass containers for microwave cooking. Also, opt for reusable BPA-free water containers over plastic bottles.
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Avoid phthalates. Phthalates are also endocrine disruptors. These chemicals are found in many artificial fragrances. Reduce the use of cosmetics, soaps, or scented detergents. Instead, try fragrance-free products.