The endocrine system is a collection of organs that produce and regulate hormones in the body. There are several conditions that result from chemical imbalances in the body, whether that’s over- or under-production.
Whatever the case may be, it’s essential to know how bodily chemicals can affect weight loss, as they can significantly reduce the effectiveness of regular exercising and stunt progress. Whether the effects are significant or subtle, it’s best to know how the body works and what you can do to mitigate any adverse effects.
Metabolic Hormones
The thyroid gland controls the metabolic hormones your body needs to absorb food and turn it into energy. One of the most common issues that prevent individuals from losing weight is when the thyroid underproduces the necessary hormones. Hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid glands under-produce metabolic hormones, can significantly hinder weight loss efforts.
Because the body’s metabolic rate slows down, it doesn’t burn as many calories as the average person. Instead, the body holds on to them, resulting in weight gain.
Fat Retention Hormones
Cortisol is one of the most important hormones to the body’s stress response and plays a big role in blood sugar regulation. However, the body can over-produce cortisol, resulting in several side effects that make burning off body fat more challenging.
With these raised levels of cortisol, the body will hold on to fat longer, redistributing it to the body’s abdominal section. Additionally, high cortisol levels can lead to high blood sugar levels, potentially leading to type 2 diabetes.
Hunger Hormones
The stomach produces ghrelin, commonly referred to as the hunger hormone, which sends signals to the hypothalamus gland in the brain. When the hypothalamus receives these signals, it tells the body that it is hungry and needs food. Like cortisol, high levels of stress can increase the production of ghrelin; this is where the term ‘stress eating’ originates.
Leptin is another hormone that indicates when a person feels full and cannot eat anymore. When the body produces less leptin, an individual may not feel full, even after eating a filling meal. A lack of leptin in conjunction with an increase in ghrelin can create a situation where a person is frequently hungry and has trouble feeling satiated.
Know When To See a Doctor
Many hormone imbalances in the body originate from the endocrine system. These endocrine disorders are not something that a person or a general practitioner can easily fix; it requires the medical expertise of a specialist in the field. Dr. Philip Rabito is an endocrine specialist and weight-loss doctor in New York City who has the knowledge and equipment necessary to treat patients experiencing hormone imbalances. Know how bodily hormones affect the body and what you can do to mitigate the effects.
