People who reach middle-age often find they have trouble losing weight. The problem could be hormones
Hormones change as people age and that can often lead to weight gain. Some people try excessive treatments, like liposuction or growth hormones, to regain their youthful look.
However, those are expensive, dangerous and some are even illegal.
Simpler, safer ways exist to get hormones under control and achieve weight loss.
Key Hormones
The body produces many hormones and all play a role in muscle tone and weight. Let’s take a look at five that are the most common.
Insulin
Insulin is secreted by your pancreas and its main purpose is to store sugar and fat should your body need it later.
Leptin
This is the hormone produced by fat cells that lets you know you are full.
Thyroid
The thyroid gland is often blamed for weight gain because it sets your metabolism and produces hormones that affect us in numerous ways.
Testosterone
A loss of testosterone is a big issue for many men because it results in a loss of muscle, reduced sexual function, and fertility, as well as weight gain.
Estrogen
Estrogen decreases as people age affecting their health in many ways including memory and bone loss.
These changes can also affect weight.
What Can You Do?
A doctor can help you pick the right hormone therapy or medication if your case is advanced enough for that type of treatment.
Here are some things you can do:
- Reduce sugar and carbohydrates.
- Eat more protein.
- Drink green tea.
- Avoid inflammatory foods like soda and eat more good fatty foods like fish.
- Eat lots of fiber, cruciferous vegetables, and flax seeds.
- Create a workable exercise program and stick with it.
- Get enough sleep.
- Find ways to relax like meditation, listening to music, or hearing comedy.
Getting hormones to function as they should isn’t magic. Sometimes, you must change your habits to increase the effectiveness of body function.
