Metabolism, Hormones, and your Waist Line

No matter how faithfully you follow your diet, you may have noticed that the scale keeps creeping upward or seems to be stuck at the same number. New research from Australia has shown that dieters are often gaining back the weight they lost due to hormonal imbalances, and not simply due to failed efforts.

Various hormones are responsible for signaling the brain with messages, such as when it is time to eat and when it is time to stop eating. One minor glitch in the messaging system and the dieter is completely thrown off track and reaching for another helping of food. Hormones, rather than hunger, may in fact cause this behavior.

If you are exploring medical weight loss programs, be sure not to discount the role that hormones play in the success or failure of your efforts. The metabolism is a complicated mechanism, fueled by far more than merely willpower, diet, and exercise. For those looking into medical weight loss, a quick education on the role of hormones in weight loss would be a wise decision.

The two main hormones responsible for the hunger and satiety mechanisms are leptin and ghrelin. If either of these key hormones is not in the exact proper balance, you may be more inclined to overeat. This accounts for the inability to lose and maintain weight, even when strictly following a dietary and exercise plan.

Any number of factors, including age, environmental toxins, lack of sleep, stress, medicine, and nutritional deficiencies can cause hormonal imbalances. As you pursue your weight loss goals, be sure to carefully examine your lifestyle for any habits that may be contributing to hormone issues. If left unchecked, hormonal imbalances could potentially sabotage your weight loss efforts. Do not despair; moderate lifestyle changes can get you back on track with weight loss.