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Did you know that you produce over 50 hormones? Each hormone is responsible for a different function within your body. There are multiple glands throughout your body that produce these hormones to carry out specific functions. They are chemical messengers that regulate functions such as sleep, growth, hunger, metabolism, and reproduction. If a hormone imbalance occurs, the body can be affected by weight gain or with problems losing weight. As we age, we also find that hormones and weight loss become more intimately linked too.

Extra body fat, high levels of stress, poor nutrition, and toxin exposure all can play a role in how well our hormones function. Carrying this excess body fat hinders our body’s ability to control our appetite with the hormone leptin, which tells us when we are full. This miscommunication can lead to overeating and additional weight gain.

Living with excess stress can create a situation where your adrenal glands overproduce the hormone cortisol. This hormone is responsible for raising your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It is also responsible for regulating your immune system. High levels of stress can wreak havoc on your body because sugar cravings can increase, feelings of fatigue can worsen, and the likelihood of thyroid dysfunction grows.

Fortunately, diagnostic testing is available to help determine the reasons for unexplained weight gain or the inability to lose weight. Getting a complete hormone panel test administered will assess your thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal glands. This will chart your course to return balance to your hormones. Recommendations from your healthcare professional could range from dietary adjustments such as reducing your sugar intake, moderating caffeine and alcohol consumption, and increasing proteins and vegetables in your diet; switching from strength to cardio training; and increasing your sleep and practicing relaxation techniques.

The good news is that hormone balance can be achieved. If you find yourself stuck in the weight loss department, something more may be going on. Knowing what you are up against can turn the tides back in your favor so you can reap the rewards from your efforts to obtain better health and wellness.

We know that burning more calories than we consume each day contributes to weight loss. But, did you know that is only part of the story? The actual process of burning calories is due to what resides in our gut. Surprisingly, it is the bacteria, yeasts, and fungi (of all things) that do the burning. This collection of microorganisms is called microbiome, and it is only with a healthy balance that our metabolism is optimized and weight loss can occur.

It is ideal that a healthy balance of microbiomes exist within our gut. If this balance does not exist, then we experience conditions like bloating, stomach aches, puffiness, infrequent bowel movements, and excess weight. All are signs that our body is not happy with how we are treating it, whether with antibiotics, poor nutrition, or environmental toxins. We cannot expect a different outcome if we continually choose to ignore the needs of our body. When it comes to good health and overall wellness, we will inevitable reap what we sow, especially as we age.

So what exactly to these microorganisms do, these microbiomes? Well, first and foremost they take the food we eat and extract the energy and calories from it. If our gut contains a healthy balance of microbiomes, then they will literally eat more than half of our daily caloric intake. Being gut healthy promotes weight loss, metabolism, vitality, energy use, and energy storage.

To help improve your internal situation, consider testing your microbiota balance to identify which of your bacteria needs support. Once the imbalance has been determined, steps can be taken to correct it from targeted foods, probiotic supplements, moderating stress, and getting sufficient sleep each night. Just as you are physically unique, so too is how you are designed on the inside. Tailoring a weight loss program that meets the needs of your gut will not only bring you closer to your ideal weight, but will significantly improve your quality of life. You will look and feel good, both inside and out.

Hormones and Weight Loss

Your Gut and Weight Loss

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