Hormones play a key role in regulating various body processes including metabolism, hunger, and fat storage. When you hear the word “hormones,” you might think of estrogen, testosterone, or maybe even thyroid – but did you know there are more than just sex hormones? Imbalances between these various hormones can significantly impact weight loss efforts. Here are some common hormonal imbalances that can affect weight loss:
Insulin Resistance:
Insulin regulates blood sugar levels by helping glucose to enter your cells for energy. When cells are frequently exposed to high levels of insulin due to constant elevated blood sugar, they gradually become less responsive, or “resistant” to insulin. This resistance causes blood sugar levels to rise, ultimately contributing to weight gain, particularly around the abdomen.
Thyroid Hormones:
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate our body’s metabolic balance, but do not directly cause significant weight gain. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can slow metabolism and make it difficult to lose weight in many ways, including excessive water retention, inability to exercise due to fatigue, and constipation, which more accurately explains why people with hypothyroidism find it difficult to lose weight. Our adrenal system and stress hormones play a huge role in the appropriate conversion of thyroid to its active form. In turn, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can increase metabolism and cause weight loss – but not the kind of weight loss you desire, because it is mostly muscle wasting.
Cortisol:
Cortisol, commonly known as the “stress hormone,” is produced by the adrenal glands and helps your body respond to stress or danger by temporarily boosting the energy you have available to combat the stress. These responses are beneficial in short-term situations, providing quick energy and protection. Unfortunately, when levels are consistently high, cortisol can lead to chronic inflammation and increased appetite with cravings for unhealthy comfort foods, contributing to weight gain.
Leptin:
Leptin is a hormone produced primarily by fat cells, and it helps regulate energy balance by signaling the brain to inhibit hunger when energy stores are sufficient. However, when leptin levels remain chronically high due to excess body fat or prolonged inflammation, the brain can become less responsive – a condition known as leptin resistance. This disruption prevents leptin from effectively signaling fullness, leading to increased appetite, overeating, and ultimately weight gain.
Ghrelin:
Often called the “hunger hormone,” increased levels of ghrelin can stimulate appetite, making it harder to lose weight.
Sex Hormones:
Imbalances in estrogen and testosterone can affect body weight. For example, menopause-related estrogen decline can lead to weight gain, and low testosterone levels can contribute to increased body fat and reduced muscle mass.
Many patients approach their doctors thinking that just one hormone dysfunction is to blame for their weight gain when usually there is more than one imbalance at play. The reality is, hormones are all intertwined and affect each other. There may also be nutritional deficiencies affecting your health and weight as well. Never underestimate gut health as a major factor in weight loss. Good gut health allows for hormones to be made efficiently and used correctly. Many hormone deficiencies and dysfunctions come from improper gut management and diminished gut health.
Addressing hormone imbalances requires a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle changes like optimized nutrition, appropriate exercise, and stress management tools. Many people benefit from adding medical treatment or hormone therapy. These issues can be easily identified with laboratory testing, but we strongly caution against interpreting results without a knowledgeable provider! Many laboratories utilize reference ranges that are actually just population averages. By those standards, your results may appear “normal,” but really they just fall within the range of a sick population, and may not be normal at all. Finding an integrative or functional medicine provider can eliminate confusion and allow you to get meaningful information about your body, paired with root-caused-based solutions to get you feeling your best.
At NuBloom, our medical providers have a deep understanding of the complexity of your unique body, and we know exactly how to guide you in your individualized healing journey. We equip you with the best of both functional and traditional medical solutions, working in unison to restore gut health, balance hormones, and support lasting weight loss.
As your body heals, you will rediscover the energy, confidence, and joy you forgot you could feel – experiencing a “new bloom” in life where you once felt dormant. NuBloom is more than a health solution; it’s a life transformation – empowering women with the tools and support they need to reclaim their vitality and embrace the liberated life they deserve.