Hormone Imbalance &
Natural Weight Loss

Why Does a Hormone Imbalance
Sabotage Weight Loss?

If you have a hormone imbalance it is extremely difficult to lose weight.

A hormone imbalance will sabotage your weight loss efforts as hormones have a powerful impact on your metabolism, appetite, blood sugar control, even your body fat levels.

If you exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and still struggle to lose weight, a hormone imbalance may be setting you up for an ongoing cycle of hormone related weight gain.

Making sense of your hormone balance will help you develop a long term natural weight loss strategy.

Hormones are potent chemical messengers that circulate throughout your body, serving as messengers to organise how your body functions.

Hormones are produced by endocrine organs such as the ovaries, testes, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands, which are governed by higher centers found within the brain.

As hormones travel through your blood stream they provide a communication network linking your central control center to the trillion of cells found within your body. Adequate levels and an appropriate balance of hormones is necessary for maintaining optimal health and well being.

The endocrine glands produce different quantities of hormones depending on your individual needs and your stage of life. Ageing is associated with a decline in the production of most hormones.

The sex hormones and thyroid hormones have a major influence on reproductive potential, cognitive function, metabolism and overall wellbeing.

Estrogens are the group of hormones responsible for female sexual development. They are produced primarily by the ovaries and in small amounts by the adrenal glands. Androgens are responsible for male sex characteristics. In men, testosterone is the major hormone produced by the testicles.

The thyroid gland secretes two main hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), into the bloodstream. These thyroid hormones stimulate all the cells in the body and control biological processes such as growth, reproduction, development and metabolism.

Women, Weight & Hormone Harmony

Overweight women usually have a hormone imbalance. If you are overweight you may have higher levels of androgens (male hormones), along with poor estrogen (female hormone) metabolism and low progesterone.

A hormone balance causes weight gain, PMS, mood changes and male type facial hair growth. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is strongly linked to hormonal weight gain.

The Oral Contraceptive Pill and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) contain chemicalised hormone substitutes that are not natural to your body, and will further disrupt your hormone balance.

What About The Men?

If you are an overweight man, you usually have greater conversion of testosterone (the male hormone) to estrogen, leading to greater ‘female type’ weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, chest and butt. This is the last thing you want happening in your body!

This is due to greater activity of an enzyme called aromatase, which is found in fat tissue. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone into estrogen, thus altering an ideal ratio of estrogen to testosterone.

> > Read More Male Hormone Balance Affects Weight Loss

Insulin – The Fat Storing Hormone

Today, the average diet is too high in refined carbohydrates, especially sugary foods, which cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. This is a problem, high blood sugar levels are harmful as the sugar settles in areas of the body causing destruction.

That is why diabetics experience eye, nerve, kidney and vascular damage. The sugar literally breaks down protein structures within the body. Your body knows this so it closely monitors your blood sugar levels.

When blood sugar levels are too high a specialised hormone called insulin is released to control your blood sugar. This prevents your blood sugar from spiralling out of control. Insulin either moves the sugar into the cells for energy, or it is stored as body fat if not required.

To put it simply, insulin becomes a fat storing machine when there is an over supply of sugar.

Do You Suspect a Hormone Imbalance? Take The Saliva Hormone Test

To find out if you have a hormone imbalance you can perform a simple, non-invasive Saliva Hormone Test. This is a very accurate way to assess your free hormones, providing you with a clear picture of the bio-available hormones that are active in your body.

For Information on Saliva Hormone Testing go to:

> > Why Take the Saliva Hormone Test?

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