In my functional diagnostic medicine practice we get a ton of patients expressing their desire to lose weight. But the truth of it is when you regain your HEALTH – weight loss is the bonus. It’s never too late to reset. Let’s set the intention to elevate the quality of your overall health by analyzing your challenges NOW including your hormones. And who knows – you might even lose a little weight in the process. Did you know three hormones, when dysregulated, may prevent weight loss?? Keep reading, sis…
Cortisol
This hormone is commonly known as the stress hormone. I’m sure you’ve heard of it! It is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. When cortisol levels are high (due to chronic stress), it can lead to an increase in appetite and belly fat. Moreover, cutting calories may be perceived as a severe stressor to the body. This can lead to even more cortisol production. This increased cortisol production can, in turn, undermine weight loss efforts. To regulate cortisol levels, try stress-relieving techniques like meditation, exercise, or therapy.
Insulin
Insulin is another hormone that comes into play when it comes to weight loss. When cortisol is released, it signals the release of glucose. This triggers the release of insulin into the bloodstream. High insulin levels and insulin resistance can lead to excess sugar being stored as fat. Even if you are cutting back on calories, it’s still essential to regulate your insulin levels. Intermittent fasting, low-carb diets, and increasing your consumption of fiber-rich foods can help.
Estrogen
The female sex hormone estrogen plays a vital role in weight regulation. High estrogen levels or a high ratio of estrogen to progesterone can lead to excessive fat storage. A woman needs a certain amount of body fat to be fertile. However, this cycle can extend beyond diet changes. Fat-producing estrogen signals fat storage mechanisms. Balancing your estrogen levels through lifestyle changes can be a long-term solution.
There’s more to weight loss than cutting calories
Remember, hormonal imbalances can undermine even the most stringent diet and exercise routines!! Understanding the role of these hormones is essential. It’s also important to know the steps needed to bring them back into balance. So, if you are struggling with weight loss, don’t give up hope!
But P.S. Here’s a secret to try
All that being said, if I had to share one thing that I do daily and recommend to patients it is to turn on your internal fat burner while you sleep. Leptin is a hormone secreted by fat cells that regulates fat storage. If you want to burn fat instead if store it, you have to increase your “Leptin Sensitivity” and you have to increase your protein intake. Personally, I end the day with about 24 grams of low-calorie protein. Not only does this improve the quality of my sleep, but gets me (and a lot of my patients) results. Consuming slow-burning carbs earlier in the day and protein at night supports healthy blood sugar levels and has a dramatic effect on cravings.
Don’t forget to explore more of my blog posts, follow me on Instagram and reach out if you have any questions.
Recent Comments