Hormones and Weight Gain: Nine Tips to Support Healthy Balance

Overview

If you didn’t know it, the weight you gain is influenced in part by the hormones in your body. Research indicates that hormones in your body influence the way fat is stored in your body as well as your appetite.

To help yourself, try these nine tips that may support healthy hormone balance.

1. Insulin

Insulin controls how sugar and fat are stored in your body depending on what you need at a particular time. To help insulin function as it should, it may help to keep its levels in a healthy range. To do this, it may help to limit added sugar and refined carbohydrates and to include protein and healthy fats, such as those found in fish. Regular exercise may also help. If you have diabetes or take medication that lowers blood sugar, talk with your physician before changing your diet.

2. Leptin

The main purpose of leptin is to discourage overeating. Unfortunately, it might not do this if its levels in your body are either below or above what is required. Just like insulin, it may help to support healthy levels. Steps that may help include limiting foods linked to inflammation, such as sugary foods, exercising regularly and, after talking with your physician, using supplements.

3. Ghrelin

The main purpose of ghrelin is to alert you when you are hungry. It reminds you that your stomach is empty, and it needs filling. Improper levels of this hormone might send wrong messages to your brain encouraging you to overeat. To support healthy ghrelin signaling, it may help to limit foods with too much sugar and eat plenty of protein.

4. Cortisol

This hormone is released when your body senses stress. Higher levels of this hormone have also been linked to overeating. So, eating a balanced diet may help keep it at healthy levels. It may also help to make time for activities that ease stress, such as meditation, listening to music or getting sound sleep.

5. Estrogen

Estrogen is a hormone produced mainly by the ovaries in women. Both low and high levels of this hormone may encourage weight gain. Eating plenty of fiber, cruciferous vegetables and flax seeds, along with doing some exercise, may help support healthy levels.

6. Neuropeptide Y

Neuropeptide Y is a hormone produced by your brain’s cells as well as the nervous system. Its purpose is to encourage the eating of foods such as carbohydrates especially when you are hungry. Higher levels may encourage overeating. Eating more protein, not starving yourself and eating plenty of soluble fiber may help lower its levels.

7. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1)

GLP-1 is a hormone that helps maintain blood sugar at proper levels. Higher levels of this hormone have been linked to lower appetite. Eating plenty of protein, anti-inflammatory foods and leafy greens may help support GLP-1 levels.

8. Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Higher levels of this hormone have been linked to lower food intake in both people with overweight and lean people. Eating plenty of protein, healthy fats and fiber-rich foods may help support its levels.

9. Peptide YY (PYY)

Higher levels of Peptide YY have been linked to lower appetite. Eating low-carb foods, plenty of protein and fiber may help support levels of this hormone.

Final Word

Keeping your hormones in balance is one part of managing your weight; results vary, and your physician can help you find an approach that fits you.

Call us today if you need help with these topics and more on (423) 430-6170.

Read more: Weight Loss support, Hormone Optimization and 6 Weight Loss Tips.