Hormone levels in the body affect weight loss. At Fitness Garage, I'll explain which hormones influence weight and how to control and balance them, whether through exercise or nutrition.The hormones are insulin, cortisol, thyroid hormones, testosterone, and estrogen.
The first hormone: insulin
Insulin is the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. It regulates glucose absorption from the bloodstream into cells, especially from sugary foods, turning unnecessary extra calories into body fat stores, When there's obesity or weight gain, it negatively affects insulin sensitivity, which is an early sign of type 2 diabetes.
Carbs have the biggest effect on insulin, so many healthy diets advise cutting carbs in general, but this doesn't mean overeating other nutrients won’t increase weight. In the end, it comes down to how many calories enter the body.
The second hormone: Cholesterol
Cholesterol is one of the body's automatic stress hormones, This hormone is secreted by the adrenal gland located above the kidney, and when you are in a stressful situation, the brain sends signals to that gland to release cholesterol hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.
Cholesterol affects all body cells. It breaks down proteins into amino acid blocks to supply energy during stress, infections, and trauma. It also makes you crave high-calorie foods like sugars, which causes weight gain. Some detox ads claim to reduce stress but what really lowers stress is exercise and healthy sleep.
The third hormone: The thyroid gland
The thyroid gland mainly controls metabolism and sets its rate in the body. If it malfunctions, called hypothyroidism, the brain can't control its secretion. This causes weight gain, dry hair and skin, and sensitivity to cold.
Thyroid problems might not show in blood tests but appear through symptoms. So, you should see a doctor for a detailed thyroid check. Daily life fatigue and stress can also disrupt its secretion, meaning stress affects many body functions.
The fourth hormone: Testosterone
Men have a higher level of this hormone than women, so they have more muscle mass. Exercise helps improve this hormone's ability to build muscles and also growth hormone which is similar to insulin. But note that no matter how strong the workout is for women, testosterone won't increase much. Too low levels can cause sleep apnea. On the other hand, better sleep quality improves testosterone levels a lot, and exercise can help too.
The fifth hormone: Estrogen
There are many rumors that estrogen causes weight gain. But obesity has only spread in recent years. If estrogen was the cause, why didn't we get obese since forever? Obesity happens when many fat cells are very inflamed. This messes up insulin and glucose as well as estrogen, not the other way around like they say.
Dealing with the cause, not the symptoms
If you notice any symptom, you should find out what causes it and see a good doctor and do all the tests. This way you know exactly where the problem is and which hormone is involved. Don't just follow diets that claim to detox you or buy expensive supplements. You can reach your goal with a complete nutrition plan and a tailored workout plan, and you can contact Fitness Garage to get help from nutrition experts and trainers.
