An unevenness of these chemicals can lead to weight changes and, worse, to some diseases.
The human body has more than 50 hormones, many of which are directly related to weight gain and weight loss., even those not strictly related to it. Maintaining stable hormonal levels is essential to avoid body changes that can lead to disease.
hormone Leptin, thyroxine, insulin, and growth are some of the substances directly linked to obesity and weight loss, increased and decreased appetite, and metabolism. In addition to strictly following a low-calorie diet, an imbalance in any of these chemicals can lead to weight changes.
One of the proposals to explain overweight and obesity is through leptin, as it is associated with appetite control and its intervention in the regulation of energy expenditure, thus; body weight. Some studies mention a strong correlation between leptin levels and fat percentage in children and adults.
On their own, other hormones like cortisol (also known as the stress hormone) are indirectly linked to weight gain. If a person is going through a situation that creates too much stress, fat can start to accumulate in different parts of the body, such as the abdomen and face.
Which hormones are associated with weight gain?
One of the hormones directly linked to obesity and weight loss is thyroxine., responsible for converting daily calories consumed into energy. When this chemical is produced in excess, the metabolism speeds up and can lead to severe weight loss.
In turn, leptin helps reduce appetite and increase satiety, while also helping to control body fat storage.. Because of the direct production of fat, obese people tend to have higher than necessary levels.
How are metabolic processes regulated?
Hormones associated with weight gain including insulin, is essential for fat storage. This chemical is released by the pancreas and is responsible for regulating various metabolic processes.
This happens because these hormones allow the organs to absorb glucose. If not enough insulin is produced or its levels are not regulated, blood sugar can rise and lead to diseases such as diabetes.
As with protein, eating healthy fats can go a long way in reducing insulin resistance and regulating appetite. Likewise, those containing omega-3 and omega-6 can help improve insulin sensitivity by reducing inflammation and pro-inflammatory markers.
What other diseases can hormonal problems bring about?
- Menstrual irregularities: The menstrual cycle involves several hormones. Therefore, an imbalance in one or more of these hormones may cause menstrual irregularities.
- Infertility: Hormonal imbalances are the leading cause of infertility in people assigned female at birth. Hormone-related disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and anovulation, can cause infertility.
- Acne: Acne is mainly caused by clogged pores. While many factors can contribute to acne, hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty, are a major factor.
- Hormonal acne (adult acne): Hormonal acne occurs when hormonal changes cause the skin to produce an increase in the amount of oil.
- Diabetes: In the United States, the most common endocrine (hormone-related) disease is diabetes. In diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t produce enough of the hormone insulin, or your body doesn’t use it properly.
- Thyroid disease: The two main types of thyroid disease are hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) and hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone levels).
- Obesity – Many hormones affect how your body signals it needs food and how your body uses energy, so an imbalance in certain hormones can lead to weight gain in the form of stored fat.