There is a close relationship between weight and hormones. There are several types of these activating substances that indirectly or directly affect the mass of a person.
Lecithin – hormone responsible for a sense of appetite and satiety. He tells our brain that there is as much fat in the body as he needs, and he should stop eating. When its level drops, a jump in appetite occurs, a signal arrives in the brain that the body urgently needs to replenish fat reserves. Our sleep also affects the amount of leptin. With a lack of sleep, the level of the hormone decreases. It has been found that people who sleep less than 7 hours are more likely to gain excess weight than those who regularly get enough sleep.
Cortisol – stress hormone. It is produced by the adrenal glands and secreted by our body as a protective reaction to stress. This hormone affects metabolism and weight gain in different ways. Many people have increased appetite during stress, finding comfort in food. This is due to the fact that the body needs additional energy to protect itself. At the same time, the metabolism slows down so that energy reserves are preserved longer. To avoid a jump in cortisol, you need to try to maintain a sense of calm, avoid stressful situations, and also find a way to relaxation.
Insulin – hormone that affects blood sugar. It is produced by the pancreas, and its excess affects the gain in excess weight. Impaired hormone production leads to type 2 diabetes. To prevent an increase in insulin levels, it is worth consuming less white foods. The work of the pancreas improves under the influence of the minerals vanadium and chromium and vitamin B3 (niacin), which are often not enough in our body.
Ghrelin – the hormone responsible for the feeling of hunger. It is produced by the stomach and sends signals about hunger to our brain. Its production affects increased calorie intake. The production of ghrelin stimulates fructose, which is very much in carbonated drinks and fruit juices. Regular consumption of foods rich in fructose leads to an increase in hunger, and as a result – to overeating.
Estrogen – sex hormone. The female figure has a nice rounded shape, which is due to estrogen. At the first hormonal explosion, that is, during puberty, any eaten excess food turns into fatty deposits. It is simple to influence the occurrence of unpleasant consequences at a young age – it is necessary to control nutrition and include physical activity. But the biggest problem for women occurs after forty years. At this time, many are gaining excess weight in the hips and waist. This is due to the fact that hormonal changes begin in the body, which prepare a woman for menopause. There is no point in preventing this, but this does not mean at all that you need to swim in fat. Some food restrictions and light exercise at this time are simply necessary. It is possible to take drugs that are prescribed only by a doctor after examination.
Thyroid hormones, accelerating metabolism. The endocrine system plays a big role in regulating weight. The hormones T1, T2, T3, T4 produced by the thyroid gland are similar, but thyroxine, which accelerates metabolic processes, is considered to be the most influential in changing our weight. With the active functioning of the thyroid gland, more hormones are synthesized, respectively, a higher metabolic rate. Almost any food eaten is converted to energy, and not reflected in the figure. Overweight people produce a small amount of thyroid hormones, so even with severe restrictions on food, you can’t lose weight. It is possible to improve the activity of the thyroid gland, it is enough to include products with a high content of iodine trace element: seaweed, seafood, etc. Exercises, such as yoga or simple neck tilts, will also help..
In conclusion, we can say that maintaining the level of hormones that affect our weight is quite easy. If it is not associated with diseases, sometimes it’s enough to lead a healthy lifestyle, reconsider the diet, avoid stressful situations – and the hormonal background will be restored.
