You think you’re doing everything you’re supposed to do and yet your waistline keeps expanding like a marshmallow in a microwave oven. Believe it or not it might not be your fault. It could be your hormones?
1.) Insulin Resistance caused by PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome can account for unexplained weight gain in about 20.jpg "Fresh vegetables falling")
percent of women. And one of the side effects of this condition is insulin resistance due to abnormal secretion of a hormone by your ovaries. Higher levels of insulin in the bloodstream cause the ovaries to secret more testosterone. This excess testosterone is then converted to estrogen. Higher levels of estrogen have also been known to encourage fat storage. Of those women who have PCOS 70% are overweight or obese and only 20% are thin. In PCOS patients, the body’s cells do not respond normally to a “given amount” of glucose so they “over produce” insulin to compensate. This can be improved however, with proper nutrition (get out the white stuff), exercise and see your physician to help you out with the hormone ovary part of the equation along with some advice on possible nutritional supplements.
percent of women. And one of the side effects of this condition is insulin resistance due to abnormal secretion of a hormone by your ovaries. Higher levels of insulin in the bloodstream cause the ovaries to secret more testosterone. This excess testosterone is then converted to estrogen. Higher levels of estrogen have also been known to encourage fat storage. Of those women who have PCOS 70% are overweight or obese and only 20% are thin. In PCOS patients, the body’s cells do not respond normally to a “given amount” of glucose so they “over produce” insulin to compensate. This can be improved however, with proper nutrition (get out the white stuff), exercise and see your physician to help you out with the hormone ovary part of the equation along with some advice on possible nutritional supplements. 2.) Low thyroid hormone levels may also be a cause for unexplained weight gain. Hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism like crazy. And when you don’t burn calories like you used to and eat the same or more than you used too, the excess energy goes straight to the belly, butt and thighs.
Most symptoms of hypothyroidism are pretty vague and not exclusive to hypothyroidism. In other words, there are lots of other health conditions with many of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism. So please don’t self diagnose yourself. Seek the help of a Physician who can give you a full blood work up. Here are some of the symptoms that women suffering from an underactive thyroid may experience:
• fatigue
• sluggishness
• trouble getting up in morning
• depression
• feel cold
• have slow heartbeat
• unexpected weight gain (5-20 lbs)
• difficulty with belly fat loss
• constipation
• muscle aches
• fluid retention
• high cholesterol
• low sex drive
• hair loss
• dry hair and/or dry skin
• menstrual problems and PMS
• cracked or chipping fingernails
• hoarse voice
• cramps
3.) Low Testosterone Levels may also be a cause for that lingering belly fat. And the more fat you gain, the lower your testosterone levels fall. You see the fat in your belly area converts testosterone to estrogen. Less testosterone also means a lower libido level. And we all know what that means for your love life? Another contributor to lower testosterone levels could be as we age we have a tendency to become less active and we lose a lot of our lean muscle tissue. If we have less
muscle mass, it makes it harder to burn fat (leading to even more weight gain). This viscous cycle can be easily stopped or slowed down however, just by adding a little resistance or strength training to your routine.
muscle mass, it makes it harder to burn fat (leading to even more weight gain). This viscous cycle can be easily stopped or slowed down however, just by adding a little resistance or strength training to your routine.4.) Growth hormone dips naturally as we age too. However there is another factor that can lower your growth hormone levels: its lack of sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep or sleep at least 90 minutes at a time, your stress hormone cortisol
levels go up and growth hormone levels go down. So here’s another example where sleep is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity.
levels go up and growth hormone levels go down. So here’s another example where sleep is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity.These common hormonal snafus that women over 40 may experience are all brought to us courtesy of menopause. There is good news however, we don’t just have to suck it up and live with it. Lifestyle and nutrition modifications (Exercise, proper nutrition and getting enough sleep) along with the help of a Doc can help you turn things around and help shrink that waistline. What are your thoughts? Have you been plagued by any of these symptoms?
Pingback: Women and Lower Belly Fat – Article Review | coachdebfitness.com