A quality weight control program whether you understand this or not, must consider the body hormones that have  a major impact on our metabolism. All this information can be found in scattered bits and pieces if you search various articles , but most often the relationships are not explained too clearly. I will present a brief but hopefully more clear explanation of the hormones involved in weight loss as well as weight gain.

One of the very important hormones that affects weight control is insulin. Insulin is a blood sugar regulator. High carbohydrate intake leads to higher blood sugar levels. This in turn leads to an increase of insulin output by the body. Insulin production is the body’s natural response to the condition of  high sugar levels in the blood. If that sugar is not getting converted into energy fast enough to produce safe levels in the blood, insulin will will turn to an alternate action and convert that blood sugar into fat that will be stored by the body.

The term lipogenic refers to that quality of being fat producing. In addition to insulin being lipogenic, it also inherently exhibits another quality that has negative results in terms of weight loss programs. Insulin is also antilipolytic. This simply means that it naturally works to fight against the breakdown of fat. As you now see, a diet that stimulates high insulin output will certainly be encouraging natural body activities that are counter productive to your goal of losing weight.

When the body is stressed due to a variety of reasons, insulin production also increases in order to stimulate the production of cortisol, our stress hormone. The body then responds to high cortisol by lowering the levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This hormone is very important in the production of muscle. Producing more muscle than fat is our ultimate goal.

Chronic stress stimulates fat cells into storing fat. Fat cells located in the abdominal wall, characteristically possess more cortisol receptors on their cell membranes. So in turn, stress will encourage these cells to retain more fat.

Leptin is produced by adipose tissue and leptin binds to nucleus cells of the hypothalamus, a region of the brain known as the “satiety center.” Binding of leptin to this nucleus tells the brain that the body has had enough to eat thus giving you the feeling that you are full or that you have had enough to eat. In a small number of humans, mutations of the leptin gene are present that stimulate a constant demand for food. This normally leads to severe obesity. Unfortunately this condition often compounds itself. As the body produces greater and greater quantities of leptin to fulfill the requirements of the process it can also cause higher tolerances and reduced efficiency. Although a method to control this hormone has not been developed, there have been some short term benefits experienced by the administration of a product called “recombinant human leptin” by way of injection.

The hormone serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain made from the amino acids found in proteins. Like leptin, it also sends messages that body is satisfied and that we have eaten sufficient to meet our body’s needs. Low serotonin levels cause depression, obesity, lethargy, and a greater desire for refined carbohydrates. Low levels of serotonin leads to overeating because the brain believes the body is starving. A diet that restricts protein-rich calories can be one reason for low serotonin levels. Some people that produce very high levels of cortisol also tend to experience lower serotonin levels.

Another glandular condition known as hypothyroidism may affect as high as 30 percent of the population. A low thyroid condition reduces our fat burning rate and causes fatigue, inhibiting energy levels. Your thyroid is small gland at the base of your neck that controls energy flow. A shortage of thyroid hormones makes you feel lethargic and promotes low activity levels. Slowed digestion causes constipation, sluggish metabolism leads to weight gain and elevated cholesterol levels. The brain also needs thyroid hormones to stimulate the production of hormones like serotonin that we talked about earlier. Hypothyroidism can lead to depression and lethargy and weight gain.

Although not often mentioned in the discussion of weight loss and hormones, testosterone and estrogens are key players as well. These are typically male, female hormones. The production of these hormones tends to reduce as age increases. The male hormone, testosterone stimulates high energy and associated fat burning benefits. Quite the opposite though, the female hormone estrogens actually encourage the storage of fat. A decrease in estrogens levels therefore would seem beneficial in your weight loss program. Unfortunately a number of conditions call for the addition of estrogens to ease women through the menopause process. Although beneficial in that affect, it will be counter-productive to weight loss or weight control efforts.

As becomes quite obvious, a number of hormones play a part in weight control. Some of these hormones interact with each other. Some hormones can be manipulated with drugs or by good meal planning. Others hormones such as leptin are can be manipulated to some degree. As always, the ultimate answer is a careful selection of food groups and meal planning and healthy exercise.

Boost Your Metabolism
Most of us realize that in some way exercise helps to burn fat. In order to engage in any beneficial type of exercise, we need some method to stimulate energy levels. One very important factor we need to understand to boost our metabolism is the glycemic index. 

The glycemic index is simply a guide or scale that rates foods (carbohydrates) relative to how much, and how quickly they elevate blood glucose levels after they have been consumed. The base level for comparison is glucose sugar.

When you elevate blood glucose levels you will experience an increase in energy levels. The speed at which your glycemic index raises blood glucose levels is called the glycemic response.

The glycemic response of a given food or carbohydrate is can vary. The quantity you consume and the method of preparation are also factors that help determine the glycemic response. For example, cooking pasta for shorter periods will produce a lower glycemic response rate than if you cook it for a longer period of time.

Foods rated with a lower GI are typically lower in calories and fat, but usually high in fibre, nutrients and antioxidants. These foods also help promote weight loss by making you feel full quicker and for longer periods.
 
The rating can be divided into three primary ranges. Less than 55 is generally considered the lower level. A rating of 56 to 69 is considered mid range. A GI rating of 70 or higher is considered to be a high level GI.

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Hormones Are Key Players in Weight Management

Any weight management program whether you are aware of it or not, will need to take into consideration how hormones affect our metabolism.

One of the hormones that affects weight control is insulin. Insulin is a blood sugar regulator. High carbohydrate intake leads to higher blood sugar levels. This leads to an increase of insulin output by the body. Insulin production is the body’s natural response to excessively high sugar levels in the blood. If that sugar is not getting converted into energy fast enough to maintain safe levels in the blood, the body then tries to convert that blood sugar into fat that will be stored by the body.
 
Lipogenic simply means fat producing. In addition to insulin being lipogenic, insulin is also antilipolytic. This simply means that it naturally works to fight against the breakdown of fat. A diet that stimulates high insulin output will certainly be counter productive to your goal of losing weight.

When the body is stressed we experience an increase in the production of cortisol, our stress hormone. The body then responds to high cortisol by lowering the levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This hormone is important in the production of muscle. So under higher stress levels we realize higher levels of the hormone cortisol and lower muscle production.

Leptin exists in a region of the brain known as the “satiety center.” When leptin reacts with certain brain cells it tells the brain that the body has had enough to eat thus providing the sensation of being full. Although methods to control this hormone are not fully understood, this is yet another hormone that influences your weight loss efforts.

The hormone serotonin in the brain is formed from the amino acids found in proteins. Like leptin, it also sends messages that body is satisfied and that we have eaten enough to meet our body’s needs. Low levels of serotonin leads to overeating because the brain believes the body requires more nutrition. A diet that restricts protein-rich calories can be one reason for low serotonin levels.

Low thyroid reduces our fat burning rate and causes fatigue, and lowers energy levels. A shortage of thyroid hormones makes you sluggish. Sluggish metabolism leads to weight gain.  In addition, the brain requires thyroid hormones to stimulate the production of hormones like serotonin.

The male hormone, testosterone promotes higher energy levels and influences our exercising efforts and associated fat burning benefits. On the other hand the female hormone estrogens encourage the storage of fat. Elevating estrogens levels for other health benefits can be counter productive in your weight loss program.

As you can see, a number of hormones are very important in weight loss efforts. Some of these hormones interact with each other. Some hormones can be manipulated with drugs or by careful meal planning. The ultimate solution is intelligent selection of food groups, meal planning and proper exercise.

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