Trouble Losing Weight? Hormones May Be a Factor

Hormones play an important part in one's ability to lose weight. Certain hormones are responsible for our emotions, sex drive, sleep, and growth. But perhaps the part of our health that hormones affect most is our weight. An imbalance of certain hormones may lead to stubborn weight loss. These hormonal factors make it extremely difficult to lose weight and often the issue should be addressed by a physician in order to prevent further weigh gain.

Stubborn weight gain is not only due to the food we eat or lack of exercise. Many people jump from diet to diet and spend large amounts of money on fitness equipment but are still frustrated by their inability to get rid of extra pounds. Sometimes, weight gain is caused by an abnormal level of certain body hormones.

When we are angry or stressed, the brain produces cortisol, adrenaline, and other chemicals that affect the body in certain ways. These hormones are designed to respond to high-pressure, dangerous, or exciting situations. Adrenaline is responsible for making us focused and alert. Cortisol, on the other hand, increases heart rate and respiratory rate. The presence of these hormones within the body left over from early periods of human history when people face life-or-death dangers on a daily basis.

But nowadays, most people don't encounter ferocious tigers or man-eating bears during their average routine. Yet, the body reacts in the same way when exposed to stressful situations. You know that your screaming boss isn't a terrible animal (not in the literal sense, anyway), but your body responds by producing the same chemicals as if he were!

Unfortunately, an excess of these hormones can have long-term detrimental health effects, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and especially obesity.

So how do these hormones contribute to stubborn weight gain? Cortisol and adrenaline travel to the body's fat cells, allowing them to open and release fat or fuel into the bloodstream, to the liver and then to the muscles to use as energy. In addition, the hormone released by the adrenal glands arouse fat and carbohydrate metabolism for fast energy. It also stimulates insulin and later results to increase in appetite. This process can add extra fat to your body and can even result in diabetes.   To combat stubborn weight loss, you must avoid stress and feelings of anxiety. If you combine a positive attitude, proper and healthy diet and exercise, you will in no time combat stubborn weight gain.

Studies have shown that fat cells deep inside the stomach are especially good at attracting cortisol, which is the reason many people have a hard time losing weight around the belly. Love handles and beer bellies aren't just the result of too much beer and wings while watching the game!

Another hormone responsible for stubborn weight loss is insulin. Sugary and starchy foods should be avoided since sugar is quickly released into the bloodstream. Examples of foods to be avoided are white bread, potatoes, rice, and sodas. Consuming these types of food will increase the insulin level on the body and may later on result into stubborn weight gain and appetite.