If you gain weight, despite all the things you take, check your hormonal balance. Maybe that is the key? This problem can slow down your metabolism. Also check if you have an imbalance in the levels of estrogen and testosterone, as the body can store glucose in the form of fat.
In addition, a high level of hormone cortisol or leptin may lead to overeating. Avoid refined foods and exercise to better glucose use. Do you care about what you eat, but still can not lose weight? Your battle with fat is an endless story? If you are active enough and do not overeat, hormonal imbalance can be blamed. Here are 6 hormones that prevent you from losing weight.
Decreased insulin resistance
When you are resistant to insulin, your body does not respond to it as needed. So, glucose accumulates in your blood. To compensate for this, your body produces more and more insulin. This eventually leads to diabetes or prediabetes. Then the body can not properly handle glucose and a weight gain is a common result.
How to reduce insulin resistance
Follow a strict low-carbohydrate diet to maintain blood glucose levels. Include in your diet avocados, pomegranates, berries, protein, peppers and high-fiber cereals. Regularly exercise to eliminate the major hormonal problems that contribute to weight gain. Daily 30-minute walking can reduce the risk of diabetes by 30%.
High level of cortisol
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is designed to resolve your reaction to difficult situations. Unfortunately, if you put yourself under too much stress (lack of sleep, stressful work, problems in your personal life, harmful food, excessive amounts of caffeine), you can eventually greatly increase the level of cortisol. When you are under stress, you will probably eat fatty and sugary foods to ease your condition – and this is a recipe for excess weight. Bad sleep will only increase the risk of obesity.
How to reduce the level of cortisol
Sleep at least 7 hours every night. Eat foods with tryptophan and melatonin – cottage cheese, turkey, kiwi and cherry. Stay away from caffeine and electronic devices for at least 2 hours before bedtime. Exercise every day so that your body adjusts to higher levels of cortisol and releases endorphins, hormones that boost your mood to counteract cortisol. Yoga or meditation is the best remedy from stress.
Estrogen level imbalance
Estrogen, being better known as a female sex hormone, plays an important role in regulating the weight of your body. In the right quantities, it regulates insulin levels. This ensures that your body will maintain the right level of glucose in the blood, providing it with energy. However, estrogen imbalance is risky. You may have an increased level of estrogen due to excessive consumption of meat or low because of obesity. This, in turn, can jeopardize insulin resistance. Then your body will begin to store glucose as fat.
How to balance the level of estrogen
You need to eat more fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains and fish. Reduce the intake of caffeine.
Leptin and overeating
Appetite is regulated by a couple of hormones, one of which is leptin. Sometimes your body can cause resistance to leptin, ignoring the signals that this hormone sends. Result? You can not tell when you are actually full and should stop eating. For faster weight loss, it is important to control the level of leptin.
How to control the level of leptin
Avoid processed foods and sweet snacks. Turn off drinking alcohol. Do not eat too much fruit, especially rich in fructose, such as pineapple or melon.
Low testosterone levels
Male sex hormone is an important part of metabolism in both men and women. Because of the lack of this hormone, you are gaining weight. In addition, testosterone deficiency is also associated with higher cholesterol levels, elevated triglyceride levels and even decreased insulin sensitivity. All this is associated with weight gain and fat accumulation.
How to increase testosterone levels
Reduce the use of products with phytoestrogens (plant estrogens). Reduce the consumption of bread, alcohol and sugary drinks, which lower the level of testosterone.
Thyroid problems
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 also participate in the regulation of body weight. These hormones determine the metabolic rate for all cells in your body. Hypothyroidism or a low-activity thyroid gland can cause your metabolism to become sluggish and lead to weight gain. You can also experience constant fatigue. Digestion may also suffer. Although it can not be completely cured, these steps can control hypothyroidism.
How to treat hypothyroidism
Reduce the intake of soy, iodine, caffeine and refined carbohydrates. Eat more protein, but not gluten, vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, cabbage or cauliflower. Spend plenty of time in the fresh air and sun.
