Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal Imbalances & Weight Management
Nothing is more discouraging than following an exercise regimen and healthy diet yet seeing no change when you step on the scale. Progress is a great motivator, and a lack of progress is equally demotivating. Before letting discouragement take hold, have your hormones levels checked. In many cases, hormonal imbalances are a mitigating factor in weight gain and the inability to lose weight.
Many symptoms of hormonal imbalance are so slight they are often passed off as insignificant, when in actuality, nothing could be further from the truth. Hormones exert influence over the entire body, from the tip of our toes to the top of our head - hair, skin, bones, joints, muscles, internal organs and brain. Hormones control our metabolism, growth, development, and reproduction, as well as having a say in where we store fat and our ability to lose it. An imbalance in hormones can set off a chain reaction that is felt in every fiber of our beings.
Insulin
Insulin instructs the body to store sugars as fat, if they are not consumed as fuel. Cravings, chronic hunger, high blood pressure or high cholesterol can also indicate insulin imbalance. Abdominal fat related to insulin excess also poses a serious long-term health for metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart disease.
Thyroid Hormone
The function of the thyroid gland is to regulate the speed of the body's metabolism - it converts food into fuel. If metabolism slows down, weight gain may result — sometimes even with proper diet and exercise. Symptoms can vary and may include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Low basal temperature ( cold intolerance)
- Dry and coarse skin
- Hair loss
- Cold hands and feet
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Depression
- Poor memory, forgetfulness, dementia
- Nervousness and tremors
- Immune system problems
- Heavy menstrual periods
Cortisol
Cortisol has been referred to as the "stress hormone" because excess cortisol is secreted in response to stress or anxiety, increasing blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as reducing immune responses.
Normal cortisol secretion is diurnal - highest levels present in the morning, lowest levels at night, shortly after the onset of sleep. Disruption of normal cortisol secretion may not only promote weight gain, but it can also affect where you put on the weight. Some studies have shown that stress and elevated cortisol tend to cause fat to deposit primarily in the abdominal area. This fat deposition has been referred to as "toxic fat" since abdominal fat is strongly correlated with the development of cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and strokes.
Estrogen and Testosterone
Hormonal fluctuations, including a drop in estrogen and progesterone often coupled with an increase in cortisol and insulin during perimenopause or menopause cause many symptoms, one of which is the accumulation and/or redistribution of fat to the abdominal area.
Testosterone naturally lessens in both sexes with aging and stress. Men tend to possess more estrogen as they age which can lead to an accumulation of abdominal fat, muscle loss, decreased bone mass, increased body fat, decreased energy and lack of libido.
Growth Hormone
Growth hormone orchestrates the process of repair, rebuilds lean body mass and bone and influences body composition. Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) may experience weight gain or obesity with a relative decrease in muscle mass and, in many instances, decreased energy and quality of life.
Serotonin
Serotonin has broad activities in the brain, effecting among others, appetite, sleep and metabolism. Carbohydrates stimulate the production of serotonin, and low levels of serotonin may lead to cravings for simple carbohydrates, such as breads and sugary foods, which effect body composition and weight.
After Your Diagnosis, What's Next?
Being sensitive to subtle signs and signals is the first step to identifying hormonal imbalances that may be inhibiting weight loss. Once these imbalances are recognized and diagnosed, treatment follows and many symptoms can be eliminated or minimized.
After diagnosing your specific symptoms, Dr. Berger will prescribe a customized treatment or series of treatments that address your imbalances. Proper treatment with bio-identical hormones can profoundly affect every aspect of life, leading to more restful sleep, more vitality, a better lean body mass ratio, reduced percentage of body fat, greater well being and quality of life.
Contact us now to make an appointment for a free consultation session where you can learn more about the medically supervised program and find out how Rejuvalife Vitality Institute can assist you in achieving your weight management goals.
