For centuries weight gain has been one of the unfortunate side effects of aging. Scientists now know why this occurs. There are several hormones involved in helping maintain a proper metabolism and healthy body weight, and as we age, the amount of those hormones produced by the body declines. This frequently results in a gradual increase in body weight. Fortunately, there is now a safe way to restore hormonal balance through estrogen replacement therapy. Connecticut estrogen treatment for weight loss offered at our clinic could be a viable solution for you.
Four Hormone Imbalances That Make It Hard to Lose Weight
Hormones, as your body’s messengers, send various signals to your cells. Hormones initiate all your metabolic processes. Knowing this, it’s no surprise that if your hormones are out of balance, metabolic changes will occur.
Hormones regulate your appetite, your energy levels, and your sleep cycle. When out of balance, they can wreak havoc on your metabolism. Who wouldn’t have trouble losing weight when they feel tired and hungry most of the time?
Estrogen Dominance
Excess estrogen—in both sexes—is a great risk factor for obesity. Whether from pre-menopausal changes or external factors in our diet, estrogen dominance against the balancing effects of testosterone and progesterone wreak havoc on energy levels and fat-burning capabilities.
Serotonin Imbalance
An excess of serotonin in the body can exert negative effects over your sleep habits, reducing your energy during the day. High levels of serotonin also cause us to crave carbohydrates, particularly sugars and refined starches. Serotonin imbalance also affects digestion, leading to a feeling of lethargy after a meal.
The Role of Cortisol
Cortisol has made a name for itself in the news as the so-called “stress hormone.” Indeed, many people overproduce cortisol when under prolonged periods of stress. This hormone causes your body to conserve energy by storing as much fat as possible, particularly around the midsection.
When cortisol overwhelms the balancing effects of leptin and other satiety hormones, the result can be an increased appetite, decreased energy, belly fat, and a loss of muscle tissue.
Low Testosterone
Low testosterone in both sexes, although particularly in men, lead to a number of factors that inhibit weight loss. Loss of muscle mass and energy, coupled with increased body fat, in turn cause testosterone levels to drop further. This completes a cycle that can be nearly impossible to break through diet and exercise alone.
Make no mistake, hormones play an immense role in our overall well-being. Maintaining a healthy weight can be an almost impossible goal if your hormones are out of whack. Thankfully, supplementing with the right bioidentical hormones can increase low levels of certain hormones and bring high levels of others into balance.
Hormones and a Healthy Lifestyle
Connecticut estrogen treatment alone will not guarantee instant weight loss and a sleek, movie-star figure. Maintaining a healthy diet and incorporating exercise into your normal routine is imperative to losing weight and improving your health. However, correcting any hormonal imbalance will give you energy, reduce cravings and improve your metabolism so that diet and exercise will be effective.