ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Weight gain and your hormones
Holly Carling
There are many reasons why you may be gaining weight. Hormones play a big role, in gaining weight, but losing weight as well. The good news is, you have more control over your hormonal balance that you think. Several hormones play a vital role in regulating several mechanisms related to weight.
First and foremost is insulin. You do need carbs in your diet. However, when you eat more sugar/carbs than your body needs, it stores it as fat. Too much insulin inhibits the breakdown of stored fat in your body. Insulin also influences the appetite centers in the brain. Too much sugar/carbs over time, creates insulin resistance, which is a key factor in the development of Type II (acquired) Diabetes and obesity.
Cortisol is another hormone involved in weight management. Cortisol is normally a good hormone, but can be detrimental when unbalanced. When cortisol surges, is when it promotes weight gain. It surges with stress, trauma, (in both cases, it is the activation of the “fight or flight” mechanism), caffeine, intense physical exercise, in response to sugar spikes or sugar lows, temperature extremes, lack of sleep, alcohol and other substance abuses, injury, illness and inflammation, especially when chronic. Excess cortisol causes storage of fat, especially in the abdominal area.
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