Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this compound biochemical process, calories in food and beverages combine with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function.
However, your hormones control every aspect of weight loss including your metabolism, where you store your fat, your appetite and even your cravings! This means any form of hormonal imbalance will disrupt your efforts – regardless of your diet and exercise habits
Adiponectin, for instance, is a hormone released by the adipose tissue. Rather than protect fat’s existence, it beneficially regulates glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Studies associate higher levels of this hormone with lower levels of body fat. Basically, the more adiponectin you’ve got, the less visceral fat you’ll have and the leaner you’ll be.
Maintaining balance is key for most hormones in order to stay lean and healthy. Adipose tissue also makes leptin, a hormone that decreases hunger by regulating appetite. Generally, the more fat you have, the more leptin hormone your body makes that translates to low food consumption and this can increase your metabolic rate. Conversely, the less fat you have, the less leptin you have, and the hungrier you’ll be.
Deregulation of this hormone eventually makes you leptin-resistant. You will have lots of leptin production but your brain will not respond to control your appetite. If you’ve got excess midsection fat, chances are you’re leptin resistant.
Cortisol is another hormone related to metabolism. Produced by your adrenal cortex, it has three main jobs: it raises the blood sugar (to nourish muscles so you can do strenuous activities), raises blood pressure, and modulates immune function.
This hormone works by releasing glucose into your system. Cortisol level increase with increased stress and worries. Creating a habit of taking a glass of red wine or muffin at the beginning or end of the day keeps excess cortisol around by increasing blood sugar and contributing to insulin resistance. Belly fat cells contain four times more cortisol receptors compared with other cells. In other words, every time you raise this hormone’s levels, you just increase your tummy mass.
Insulin hormone plays the biggest role in metabolism. It regulates how your body uses the carbs from your food. Insulin directs your muscle, liver and fat cells to remove glucose from your blood and store it. Those cells ultimately receive and allow glucose in. From there, your cells can tackle important tasks such as growth, movement and repair. High insulin levels not only keep visceral fat around, they lock the door to your fat cells so that fat-releasing hormones like glucagon are shut out. This is definitely a hormone to watch out for during a weight-loss task.
Balanced hormones are the key to keeping your weight control on track. Call Metro MediSpa today to schedule a hormone screening.
