If you’ve been feeling “off” lately, a hormone issue could be the cause. In fact, in a survey of women between the ages of 30 and 60, 43% reported suffering from hormone imbalances that negatively impacted their physical wellbeing.
Symptoms of hormone imbalance include mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, insomnia, and memory issues. Another common (and frustrating!) issue is the link between hormones and weight gain.
If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms and can’t seem to shed those pounds, you need to keep reading. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know to get yourself back on the path to optimal health.
The Connection Between Hormones and Weight
First things first—what are hormones anyway? In simple terms, hormones are the chemical messengers that regulate bodily processes like metabolism, appetite, and the distribution of body fat.
There are four primary hormones that cause weight gain and weight-loss failure. Here’s what you need to know about each.
1. Estrogen
Estrogen is the primary female hormone. It’s what causes us to develop breasts and hips, and it’s also responsible for lubricating our joints.
Many women don’t realize that they can have an estrogen overload even during menopause. That’s due to the fact that your ovaries and adrenal glands continue to produce this hormone. Even though menopausal women don’t produce as much estrogen, they can still suffer from estrogen dominance if their progesterone is unusually low.
A high level of estrogen is one of the most common reasons why women have trouble losing weight.
2. Insulin
If you’re overweight or “skinny fat,” which is defined as being fairly thin but having a high body fat content, then you’re likely to have trouble regulating your insulin levels. This leads to blood sugar fluctuations which can seriously impact your ability to lose weight.
3. Cortisol
Cortisol is also known as the “stress hormone.” In today’s fast-paced, hectic world, it’s common for most women to feel stressed out more often than not.
Over time, high cortisol levels can cause your body to store fat. In particular, it encourages the storage of visceral fat around the abdomen, which is the most dangerous kind.
High cortisol levels have also been linked to sugar cravings and food addictions. If you find yourself craving unhealthy foods and binge eating, these behaviors could be linked to a hormone imbalance.
4. Adiponectin
Adiponectin is another critical hormone in your body. It helps your body burn fat, plays a role in regulating glucose levels, regulates inflammation, and helps to control oxidative stress. It’s not surprising that when your body fails to produce enough adiponectin, weight loss can feel virtually impossible.
How to Fix Your Hormones So You Can Lose Weight
If you think you might be suffering from a hormone imbalance that’s causing weight issues, you might want to start experimenting with some natural remedies. This way, you can feel confident in knowing that you did everything you could before seeking clinical treatments.
The changes that help you reset your hormone levels will also improve your overall health, so there’s no reason not to give them a try. Here are a few simple things you can do.
Dietary Changes
It’s amazing how much better the body functions when it has the right nutrients and healthy foods. Loading up on vegetables and plenty of fiber-rich foods is one of the best ways to regulate your estrogen.
A pound of vegetables and 30-45 grams of fiber per day is ideal. It’s important, however, to increase your intake slowly so you don’t suffer from bloating and gas.
Diets that are heavy in red meat can also lead to estrogen issues, so try cutting back on meat and see if this has an impact. If you’re concerned about insulin resistance, you’ll also want to avoid foods and drinks with sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Eating pistachios has been shown to improve adiponectin production. This one small change has also been shown to bring an array of other benefits, including lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, better glucose metabolism, and better cardiovascular health. Eating other foods that are high in monounsatured fats, like chocolate and avocado, is also helpful.
Apple Cider Vinegar
It might surprise you to learn that drinking a glass of water mixed with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar is actually good for you! Doing so before consuming a high-carb meal can help to lower glucose levels in people with insulin resistance issues.
Kick Your Caffeine Habit
If your cortisol levels are high, one of the best things you can do is kick your caffeine habit. Be careful about doing it all at once, though, as this can cause heavy side effects. Instead, start by drinking half-caff.
After a few days or a week, switch to green tea. Then, when you’re comfortable, phase out the green tea and start drinking hot water with a pinch of cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lemon. This will help your body release toxic hormones.
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting is an extremely effective way to increase the body’s adiponectin production. There are many different ways to practice intermittent fasting, but the easiest is just to wait longer to eat after you wake up in the morning. For most women, waiting at least 18 hours between your last meal of the day and your first meal the next day is enough to help you realize the benefits.
Medical Intervention
If you’ve been engaging in natural treatment methods without significant change, it’s time to visit a health care provider. This is the best way to find out for sure whether you have an issue with your hormones. Once a professional has determined exactly what’s going on with your hormones, together, you can develop a treatment plan to help you start losing weight and feeling better.
Take Control of Your Health Today
At ReVital Women’s Clinic, we empower women to take control of their hormones and weight. Don’t suffer any longer! Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
We’ll answer all your questions, assess your physical health, and help you decide on the next steps so you can start improving your health.