Weight gain is a major concern for both men and women and becomes a nagging problem with age. What’s more, hormonal imbalance makes it hard to lose weight. The main hormones that affect weight management are dhea, estradiol, progesterone, insulin, testosterone, thyroid, cortisol and vitamin D. How does hormonal imbalance lead to weight gain?
High Estrogen levels
Women in peri-menopause often have excess estrogen levels, which can induce weight gain. In most cases, the progesterone levels are not sufficient to balance the extra estrogen. This imbalance can be rectified by taking bio-identical progesterone to stabilize hormonal levels.
In addition, surplus estrogen can trigger the overproduction of binding proteins that inactivate the thyroid hormone. Low thyroid levels slow down metabolic processes associated with weight loss. Previous blogs have plenty of information about the thyroid hormone. It is worth noting that thyroid plays a critical role in weight management. We can’t emphasize enough the need for you to understand the importance of proper testing.
Decline in Dhea and Testosterone levels
Testosterone and dhea are androgens or ‘male hormones.’ Male bodies produce more of these hormones than female bodies, which is why men have more lean muscle than women. However, as the levels of these hormones reduce with age, the extra lean muscle can turn into a flabby mass. This can make women add weight.
High insulin levels
Insulin is secreted in the pancreas and transports blood sugar for cells to use as energy. When blood sugar is elevated due to taking a high glycemic diet, the pancreas is overworked. The body responds by stopping fat synthesis and storing it instead. Meanwhile, the surge in insulin makes you feel tired and hungry all the time.
Elevated cortisol levels
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands. It is commonly referred to as the stress hormone. Chronic elevation of cortisol levels in the blood causes many undesirable side effects, including weight gain. Fat cells have a receptor for cortisol. Unfortunately, they are concentrated in the abdominal area.
Vitamin D deficiency
It may seem odd to include vitamin D as a hormone. However, pharmacists and nutritionists are learning that it acts as a hormone. Many people have vitamin D deficiency due to spending long hours indoors, use of sunscreens, long winters, and the increased use of indoor exercises. We are not absorbing as much sunlight as we used to do. Research shows that people with vitamin D deficiency have excess fat around the vital organs. This is a significant health risk.
The role of Xenohormones
Xenohormones are synthetic chemicals or toxins. They imitate hormones or disrupt their functions. You should avoid xenohormones because they cause hormonal imbalance and disrupt critical metabolic processes.
To reduce exposure to xenohormones:
- Choose foods with hormone-free or organic labels
- Avoid microwaving food
- Store food in glass instead of plastics
- Use stainless steel or BPA-free bottles
- Choose a low- glycemic, Mediterranean-style diet
- Avoid cleaning, personal care, and gardening solutions that contain harmful chemicals
How to manage hormone levels
Hormone levels decline as we age, increasing the risk of chronic diseases and inflammation. The risk of chronic physiological disorders such as high cholesterol, Type-II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism increases with age. All these diseases can be attributed to low hormone levels.
What can you do to avoid hormonal imbalance and weight gain?
You can prevent and correct hormonal imbalances by measuring your hormone levels regularly. Consult your physician or provider about the tools you can use to test your hormonal levels.
Kennebec Pharmacy & Home Care has easy to use blood spot and saliva testing kits. Our newest product is the Weight Management Profile. It measures progesterone, estrogen, dhea, testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, and vitamin D levels. You can use it to detect the risk of diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. You can get this kit directly from us without a doctor’s prescription. It is convenient because you can use it at home.