Hormones Affecting Weight Loss
Health & Fitness → Weight-Loss
- Author Tom Henricks
- Published March 3, 2008
- Word count 903
Any efforts at losing weight whether you are aware of it or not, will will
affect the body hormones that greatly affect our metabolism. This information is
published in scattered bits and pieces across the internet and sometimes the
relationships are not explained too clearly. I will try to offer a brief but
hopefully more complete explanation of the hormones affected in not only weight
loss but also in weight gain.
One of the key hormones that affect weight management is insulin. Insulin is a
blood sugar regulator. High carbohydrate intake leads to higher blood sugar
levels. This leads to an increase of insulin output by the body. Insulin
production is the body’s natural response to excessively high sugar levels in
the blood. If that sugar is not getting converted into energy fast enough to
maintain safe levels in the blood, insulin will resort to an alternate to that
conversion to energy. This results in the conversion of that blood sugar into
fat that will be stored by the body.
The often used term lipogenic refers to simply means an element exhibits fat
producing qualities. In addition to insulin being lipogenic, it also exhibits
another quality that is undesirable to weight loss programs. Insulin is also
antilipolytic. This simply means that it works to fight against the breakdown of
fat. As you now see, a diet that stimulates high insulin output will certainly
be encouraging natural body activities that are not desirable in your efforts to
lose weight.
When the body is stressed due to any number of reasons, insulin production also
increases in order to stimulate the production of cortisol, which is a stress
response hormone. The body then responds to high cortisol by reducing the levels
of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This hormone is very influential
in the production of muscle. Producing more muscle than fat is our ultimate
goal. So you can see that stress can lead to the production of fat instead of
muscle.
Chronic stress stimulates fat cells into storing fat. Fat cells located in the
abdominal wall, characteristically possess more cortisol receptors on their cell
membranes. So in turn, stress will encourage these cells to retain more fat.
Leptin is produced by adipose tissue and leptin binds to nucleus cells of the
hypothalamus, a region of the brain known as the "satiety center." Binding of
leptin to these cells, tells the brain that the body has had enough to eat thus
providing the sensation of being full. In a small number of humans, mutations of
the leptin gene are present that stimulate a constant demand for food. This
typically leads to severe obesity. Unfortunately this condition often encourages
a vicious circle. As the body produces greater and greater quantities of leptin
to fulfill the requirements of the process it sometimes causes higher tolerances
and reduced efficiency. Although management of this hormone has yet to be
understood fully, there have been some short term benefits experienced by the
administration of recombinant human leptin by way of injection.
The hormone serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain made from the amino acids
found in proteins, like leptin, it also sends messages that the body is
satisfied and that we have eaten sufficient to meet our body’s needs. Low
serotonin levels cause depression, obesity, lethargy, and a greater desire for
refined carbohydrates. Low levels of serotonin leads to overeating because the
brain believes the body is starving. A diet that restricts protein-rich calories
can one of the causes for low serotonin levels. Many people that produce very
high levels of cortisol also tend to experience lower serotonin levels.
Another glandular condition called hypothyroidism may affect as high as 30
percent of the population. Reduced thyroid activity reduces our fat burning
rate and causes fatigue, and lowering of our energy levels. The thyroid is small
gland at the base of your neck that controls energy flow. A reduction or low
level of thyroid hormones leads to lethargy or lack of energy. The incidence of
slowed digestion causes constipation and diminished metabolism leads to weight
gain and elevated cholesterol levels. The brain also needs thyroid hormones to
stimulate the production of hormones like serotonin that we talked about
earlier. So you see hypothyroidism can lead to depression and lethargy and
weight gain.
Often not mentioned in the discussion of weight loss and hormones, testosterone
and estrogens are also important players. These are usually considered male,
female hormones. The production of these hormones tends to diminish with age.
The male hormone, testosterone stimulates high energy and associated fat burning
benefits. On the other hand the female hormone estrogens actually encourage the
storage of fat. A decrease in estrogens levels therefore would seem beneficial
in your weight loss program. Unfortunately a number of conditions call for the
addition of estrogens to ease women through the menopause process. Although
quite effective for that purpose, they will adversely affect weight loss or
weight control efforts.
As you can see, there is a very wide variety of hormones have a role in weight
control. Some of these hormones interact with each other. Some hormones can be
manipulated with drugs or by careful meal planning. Learning more about hormones
and weight loss may help you better plan the phases and objectives for your
weight loss program. Start working on that flat belly with a better
understanding of the complex issues involved in the body that effect your
weight.
Tom is a retired electrical utility worker and fishing charter captain on the canadian shore of Western Lake Erie. For more please visit http://www.improvement-centers.com
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Strength Training and it's Incredible Benefits for Fat Burning
- 12 Essential Strategies for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss
- 12 Proven Tips for Healthy and Quick Weight Loss
- 10 Effective Strategies for Successful Weight Loss
- Free Best Natural Method That Supports Healthy Weight Loss & Steady Blood Sugar Levels
- 5 Foods to Ditch for Weight Loss
- How To Avoid Binge Eating
- Basic lifestyle habits that can help you lose weight
- 8 Simple Steps to Sustainable Weight Loss
- A Guide To The Top Weight Loss Supplements In 2024
- Will Weight Loss Cure Sleep Apnea Naturally?
- Cloves benefits
- My Weight Loss Journey: From Baby Weight to My Best Self
- The Ultimate Guide to Losing Weight Fast: Science-Backed Strategies for Rapid Results
- What is the best weight loss exercise for women?
- 21 Simple Weight Loss Tips for Women (It really works!)
- Sip Your Way to Weight Loss: Ultimate Guide to Keto Diet Drinks!
- Waist Cincher: What It Is, How It Works, and Things to Consider Before Buying One
- From Metabolism to Fuel
- Unveiling the Benefits: Why The Keto Diet Can Be Good For You.
- The Truth Behind Keto Coffee: Does It Really Help You Lose Weight?
- The exciting new breakthrough in weight loss is an ingredient that helps you lose weight.
- A Guide to Weight Loss with Ketosis Advanced: How to Safely and Effectively Lose Weight
- How to burn fat fast using Ketosis
- Unveiling the Secrets of Ikaria Lean Belly Juice for Effective Weight Loss
- The Ikaria Lean Belly Juice: A Refreshing Path to Sustainable Weight Loss
- Losing Weight With The Ikaria Lean Belly Juice
- Discovering the Wonders of Ikaria Lean Belly Juice: A Secret to Health and Longevity?
- Ketosis Advanced Review: Unlocking the Secrets of Ketogenic Weight Loss
- Burn Fat Real Fast (works like Magic)