Hormones are important for a healthy body for women and men. An inbalance in hormone levels can cause weight gain and make it difficult to lose weight.
Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It is useful as a stress response to protect the body and prepare your for fight or flight. Often times the cortisol rythym in the body becomes disregulated leading to an over-production of costisol. This will cause weight gain around the middle.
The other hormone that commonly affects weight is estrogen. It is difficult these days to maintain hormone balance because there are so many “zeno-estrogens”. Zeno-estrogens are synthetic estrogens from chemicals in the envirionment that have estrogen like affects in the body. Most problems with estrogen are an over abundance. This is called estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance leads to weight gain and weight gain leads to estrogen dominance.
There are steps you can take in your lifestyle to have a positive regulating affect on your hormone levels. Sometimes, these steps are not enough. Some of you may need assistance from a health practitioner.
For cortisol: Maximum one cup of caffeinated coffee or tea each day. Sleep 7 to 8 hours each night, going to bed before 11:00. Eat raw fruits and vegetables and take whole food supplements to make sure your adrenal glands get the nutrients needed for repair. Exercise regularly.
For estrogen: Cut out as many of the chemicals in food, personal care products, and household products as possible. Cut way back on sugar. Eat more fiber. There are great whole food fiber supplements which are more effective than products bought off the shelves. The fiber will bind with excess estrogen and carry it out of the body. Eat plenty of green vegetables raw and cooked. These will stimulate liver detoxification and will rid the body of some of the estrogen.
Achieving hormone health will increase your overall health and wellness and assist you in losing weight. You will look younger and feel younger!