Are hormone imbalances affecting your ability to lose weight?

Did you know that hormonal imbalances can cause us to gain weight?  Most people know that if their thyroid gland isn’t making hormones correctly they can start to pile on the kilos, but some other lesser known hormones can do this as well such as our stress hormone cortisol.  Another interesting aspect of hormonal problems causing weight gain is that they often target specific areas of our body.

If you’re trying to lose weight but finding yourself struggling despite doing all the right things, it might be time to investigate if your hormones are sabotaging your efforts.   Below I will cover some of the key hormones that can be involved, how to identify if they’re out of balance and what to do about it.

In the next newsletter I will cover some of the other issues that can affect your abililty to lose weight that aren’t because of hormones.

Stress

When we are stressed our adrenal glands produce more of the hormone cortisol.  This was originally designed as a reaction to help us run away from the hungry tiger, but now when the cortisol is being produced from our work, family and financial stress it’s so as helpful.  Excess levels of cortisol can cause fluid retention, bloating and weight gain around the neck, trunk and abdomen.  Women with higher levels of this hormone have been shown to have larger waists than those women with normal cortisol levels.

If stress is severe or prolonged, it can cause chronic elevation of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline and this can result in weight gain, most likely due to our body thinking we need to stock up on nutrients to deal with famine or heal potential injuries.  Some people may get certain food cravings in times of stress, and this can impede weight loss, especially if you are cravings sugary or fatty foods.

Stress can be assessed not only by how you feel and the stressful events that you have been through, but also by testing the function of your adrenal hormones by a saliva test.  Our cortisol levels should rise moderately in the morning, then gradually reduce throughout the day.  I often find that cortisol is too low in the morning (which causes fatigue), then too high in the afternoon (causing cravings) and still high at night (causing sleep problems).

If you are experiencing high levels of stress then a treatment program combining herbal medicine and high quality nutritional supplements designed to balance the adrenal glands and help improve your ability to cope with stress will help to balance the cortisol levels and also reduce food cravings, therefore improving weight loss.  This works best when combined when targeted to the results of a cortisol test, as the herbs can be given at the times we know you need to be balanced.

Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid imbalance can strongly affect metabolism and make it difficult to lose weight.  Approximately 6-10% of women have hypothyroidism.  However, the prevalence increases with age and up to 25% of women aged 65 years or older may be affected.  Men are also affected, but less frequently.   People with an underactive thyroid may experience weight gain, fluid retention, bloating.  An overactive thyroid usually causes weight loss, oily skin and an increase in irritability.  In some cases the symptoms can be the opposite.  The different symptoms are covered in the table below.

Thyroid imbalance is very common in post-menopausal women and often goes unnoticed.  A blood test by your doctor can assess your thyroid levels, but the range of what is considered normal thyroid hormone levels is very broad and so all too often people are told their thyroid is normal, yet they are showing signs of a struggling thyroid and metabolism.  Research has shown that even a small increase in TSH, the main thyroid hormone tested in blood tests, can lead to weight gain.   By combining information from your blood test results with your symptoms, a basal body temperature chart and/or an iodine test we can help to put the picture together of whether your thyroid is working as it should.

If you have an imbalance in your thyroid function, consult a naturopath for a treatment plan to correct its functioning and bring your metabolism back on track.

Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance, also known as Syndrome X is a metabolic disorder which affects insulin and blood sugar level metabolism.  In individuals with insulin resistance your body cells’ insulin receptors have become resistant, which leads to high levels of circulating insulin.  If left unmanaged, this syndrome can develop into diabetes.

People with insulin resistance tend to carry weight around the abdomen (visceral fat).

Insulin is tested via blood.  You have to ask your doctor for this test, as it isn’t performed in routine check ups.  If your insulin level is 10 or greater this is suggestive of insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance makes it very difficult for you to lose weight successfully.  The best way to tackle insulin resistance is a combination of exercise, diet modification and nutritional supplementation.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a very common condition in women and presents with several symptoms such as excess hair growth (hirsuitism), acne, irregular periods, and difficulty losing weight.  This condition is usually caused by a combination of insulin resistance, excess androgens and low levels of progesterone.

Naturopathic treatment can help to treat PCOS by regulating hormone levels and treating insulin resistance.  Once the insulin resistance and hormonal levels are improved, weight loss can occur more easily.

Oestrogen Dominance

High levels of the hormone oestrogen can cause several health complaints such as endometriosis, breast tenderness, pre-menstrual syndrome and period pain, however it can also affect your weight.  Too much oestrogen encourages fat and cellulite to build up around the highs, thighs and buttocks.

In women with oestrogen dominance, herbs and nutrients that boost progesterone and support liver function can help fat loss to occur more effectively from areas that you want, instead of the face and breast area (which women usually don’t want to lose).

Hormones can be tested via blood or saliva.  Saliva hormone testing is able to identify imbalances more easily than blood, however is more expensive than blood tests which can sometimes be covered by Medicare when ordered by a doctor.  Hormone testing can help identify PCOS, Oestrogen dominance and testosterone deficiency in males.

If you feel like you have one or more of the above issues that is affecting your ability to lose weight, make an appointment to see how we can help you.  We will go through your case history and can suggest which factors may be relevant for you, and can discuss your testing options with you.  Once we have identified what is happening we can create a treatment plan to naturally and safely balance your hormones.

The post Internal Barriers to Weight Loss – Part 1 appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Most people today are living extremely stressful, busy lives, so it is normal to feel tired sometimes. This tiredness generally resolves itself after some rest and relaxation. Increasingly though, persistent tiredness is becoming a major problem for many people. Fatigue is a common presenting complaint in the majority of Australians and New Zealanders, but it is also often misunderstood, and at times even dismissed, particularly if there is no easily identifiable cause.

What Causes Fatigue?

Factors that may contribute to fatigue include:

• Low iron levels
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Hormonal imbalances
• Excess body fat
• Unstable blood sugars
• Stress (physical and emotional)
• Toxicity
• Mitochondrial dysfunction
• Poor sleep
• Diet
• Inactive lifestyle
• Small Intestinal Bacterial
• Digestion, liver issues and Overgrowth (SIBO) malabsorption

As you can see, there are multiple reasons why you may feel fatigued.  If you’re been feeling fatigued for too long, make an appointment and we can identify if the reason you’ve been so tired is one of these reasons.

Essentially, when your body systems are not working at their optimum levels, this can affect you both physically and mentally, ultimately having can effect on all facets of your life. However, Natural Medicines can help.

Marvellous Magnesium – An Essential Mineral for Fatigue

Magnesium, an essential mineral, is used in over 300 chemical processes in your body! Magnesium also plays a key role in the production of energy. Many Australians and New Zealanders are low in magnesium due to dietary insufficiencies. Fortunately, I can help if you are magnesium deficient – I can prescribe a pleasant-tasting magnesium powder that may help with your energy production

Nutrients for Giving Fatigue the Nudge

Other nutrients that can help support cellular energy production and give your energy levels a boost are malic acid, carnitine, coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, essential fatty acids and B vitamins.

Malic Acid – This nutrient can help boost energy production as it is a key component in our cellular energy production pathways. Malic acid can help facilitate the production of energy and may increase stamina.

Carnitine – Carnitine is an important nutrient that plays an important role in fat metabolism and energy production. It transports dietary fats directly into the mitochondria to be broken down and burnt as fuel for energy production. Carnitine may be beneficial if you want to lose weight and get an energy boost at the same time.

Coenzyme Q10 – Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like compound that is essential for energy production. CoQ10 is beneficial in the management of fatigue as it enhances cellular energy production and is also a powerful antioxidant.

Lipoic Acid – Another useful nutrient for anyone who is tired is lipoic acid. Lipoic acid is important for the transport and conversion of carbohydrates into energy. It is also a powerful antioxidant.

Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids – Omega-3 essential fatty acids from fish oils or krill oil are vital for the integrity and stability of every cell in our body. Omega-3 oils stimulate energy production and help lower stress levels.

B Vitamins – B Vitamins are essential, especially when under stress. All the B vitamins are vital for the Krebs cycle to produce energy. A combination that includes magnesium with B vitamins is likely to help you feel energized and able to enjoy life.

You Are What You Eat

If you are tired, make sure you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water throughout the day. The quality and balance of the food you are consuming will have a considerable impact on your energy and vitality. Where possible, avoid overly processed foods and eat organic, natural foods, if available.

Use It or Lose It

Engaging in regular physical activity is also important. Being active can help address some of the underlying problems causing your fatigue.

Recharge Your Batteries!

Holidays give us all the chance to have a well deserved break for rest and recovery, so take the time to enjoy being with loved ones and recharge your batteries. If you want to return from your holidays with more bounce  in your step, then ask today about tailored dietary, lifestyle and exercise advice to help you leave fatigue behind.

The post Has This Year Left You Feeling Absolutely Exhausted? appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.