Hormones and their Effects on Weight (Hormones related to weight)

Have you tried each and every tip to lose weight but still not achieved it? Well, this can be because of hormones. When it comes to losing weight hormones are play an integral part. Hormones and their Effects on Weight (Hormones related to weight) Can be the reason behind your stuck weight.

Just like car works on fuel, our body is dependent on hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that flow in our bloodstream to the tissues and organs. Hormones have a very significant effect on each and every process in the body. They impact your mood and energy levels and your weight too. Your hormones fluctuate from puberty to adulthood and then menopause for women.

For hormones to work there has to be an equilibrium, nothing excess not less. If the body is not balancing the hormones don’t perform to the fullest. Studies show hormonal imbalance affects women more than the males.

Causes of hormonal imbalance:

• A long gap between meals
• Starving
• Binge Eating
• Taking sedatives or any steroids
• Poor or insufficient water intake
• Imbalanced diet
• High-stress levels

Hormones and their Effects on Weight; Hormones related to Weight Gain

• Thyroid Hormone:

The thyroid hormone majorly affects the BMR of the body. This regulates body weight. Low thyroid levels or hypothyroidism lead to weight gain as it slows down the body’s metabolism. Hyperthyroidism or high levels of thyroid hormone lead to weight loss. For maintenance of weight, you need euthyroidism or balanced levels of thyroid hormones. Home remedies for Hypothyroidism.

• Insulin:

Insulin along with growth hormone leads to weight gain. It is an anabolic hormone. High levels of insulin cause insulin resistance in the blood. This leads to fat deposition in the body. That is the reason we put on weight. Everything about Hyperinsulinemia.

• Ghrelin:

Ghrelin is also known as the hunger hormone. It is produced in the stomach. Whenever we are hungry ghrelin is released signaling our brain to eat something. Thus, being awake late at night activates ghrelin, which is why we tend to have hunger pangs, and we binge. High ghrelin levels in the blood lead to weight gain. But exercise has a significant effect on ghrelin. With exercise, ghrelin levels reduce thus reducing our hunger pangs. A good 7 hours sleep and remaining stress-free will help in better regulation of ghrelin.

• Estrogen:

It is the female sex hormone that plays a vital role in organ development, menstruation, and pregnancy. Oestrogen is responsible for fat deposition in the female body. Any abnormality in estrogen leads to weight gain. During menopause, the levels increase dramatically leading to weight gain.

• Progesterone:

Progesterone is again a female sex hormone involved in the pregnancy. It leads to water retention and bloating. This is the reason to gain weight.

• Testosterone:

Testosterone is a male sex hormone responsible for male organ and characteristics development. In some conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome in females, testosterone levels go up. This leads to additional weight gain. This in turn leads to insulin resistance. With resistance insulin levels increase leading to fat deposition and weight gain.

• Cortisol:

Cortisol is a stress hormone. Sleep deprivation, anxiety as well as any stress may releases cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is also responsible for fat deposition in the body. Cortisol also leads to sugar cravings in the body, which again is a major reason for weight gain.

• Neuropeptide Y:

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is produced and secreted by neurons in the sympathetic nervous system. It is involved in the growth and amplification of fat tissue. This hormone is related to cortisol. High cortisol leads to high NPY which increases fat deposition and leads to weight gain.

• Incretins (GLP and GIP):

GLP (glucagon-like peptide) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide) are secreted by the endocrine cells of the small intestine. GIP leads to fat storage and GLP burns the fat. They sense the composition of food whether it is high in fat and sugar or high lean protein and vegetables. Accordingly, the small intestine releases the GLP or GIP hormone. High fat, as well as sugar, trigger the release of GIP relative to GLP. High protein and fiber in the meal trigger more GLP relative to GIP.

Hormones and their Effects on Weight; Hormones related to Weight Loss

• Leptin:

Leptin is responsible for hunger satisfaction. It is also known as ‘satiety hormone’. It reduces the hunger pangs. Leptin is stored in fat. But excess of fat leads to over production of leptin. This makes the body resistant to leptin effect. A diet rich in antioxidants makes leptin effective.

• Adiponectin:

Adiponectin enhances the ability of the muscles to utilise carbohydrates for energy. The more muscular you are the more adiponectin you have. This boosts the body’s metabolism and breaks down fat cells. During weight loss adiponectin plays a vital role. Strength training leads to more muscles in body. More the muscles better is the adiponectin action.

• Glucagon:

Glucagon works in conjunction with insulin. It acts opposite to insulin. Glucagon breaks down stored fats and carbohydrates for energy. A protein-rich diet leads to more glucagon release in the body.

• Cholecystokinin:

Cholecystokinin is released in intestines with intake of protein or fats. It is responsible for hunger satiety level. Adequate cholecystokinin slows down digestion and thus has a high satiety value. Slow digestion leads to less food intake and in turn leads to less calorie consumption. This Is how it is responsible for weight loss.

• Epinephrine:

Epinephrine is a fat-burning hormone. It uses fats as a source of energy, as well as, helps to reduce the appetite. Naturally, if you eat less you lose weight.

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How to maintain your hormones:

• Eat clean and healthy: Avoid junk, aerated and sugary drinks. Eat more fiber, protein, as well as a low-fat diet.
• Exercise regularly: At least 150 minutes a week will give desired effect.
• Control your ingredients of food: Opt for low fat, high protein moderate carbohydrate recipes.
• De-stress: Practice meditation to relax the brain. Involve in any hobbies to relieve stress
• Sound Sleep: Have a 6 – 8 hours good night’s sleep

End note:

All these hormones are very powerful, however, we have more power to tame them. They are independent of any pill or potion. Just a healthy lifestyle with adequate nutrition, sleep, exercise, as well as stress management maintains the hormonal balance. Hope this article on Hormones and their Effects on Weight (Hormones related to weight) helps you in moving ahead in your health journey. Here is a diet plan for stuck body weight.