Could hormones be the cause of your struggle with weight?

If you have tried an exhausted list of diets without weight loss success, it may be time to look at your hormone levels. Many hormones can interfere with the weight loss process and even cause weight gain. A natural or drug induced imbalance in any of the following hormones may be the answer to your weight conundrum.

Estrogen – Causes an increase in appetite and water retention, thus causing the number on the scale to increase. Many women naturally are estrogen dominant and can balance this hormone through diet therapy. If you are on birth control, make sure the pill contains the right balance of estrogen and progesterone for you or this might be the culprit of the weight plateau.

Testosterone – Helps build muscle and support bone structure. If testosterone levels are too low, metabolism slows down due to decreased muscle mass. Both males and females produce testosterone, although males should have higher levels. As males age, they may experience dipping testosterone levels and pack on some pounds as a result.

Progesterone – Low progesterone, or high estrogen, is a double edged sword. As stated earlier, estrogen can increase weight, and excess weight actually increases estrogen. Fat cells secrete estrogen, making one more estrogen dominant. Therefore, if you are already overweight, it becomes more difficult to keep estrogen and progesterone levels balanced.

Cortisol – Too little or too much cortisol production can lead to weight gain. Cortisol is a stress hormone, so after prolonged periods of stress, cortisol destroys muscles (which are the main calorie burning center of the body), increases appetite and sugar cravings, and cause weight gain in the belly which also leads to insulin resistance and further weight gain. Too little cortisol will not allow the metabolism to be stimulated and leave you feeling sluggish and rundown.

Thyroid – Too little thyroid hormone causes a slow metabolism which effects not only weight, but growth and repair of the body and regulation of key functions. Hair may become unhealthy and fall out, it may be difficult to control body temperature, and sleep may be irregular. A malfunctioning thyroid will put more pressure on the adrenals and other glands, thus leading to irregularities in other metabolic functions.

If you are looking for more answers, consider testing these hormones with your doctor or through our Adrenal Stress Index, which looks at cortisol, progesterone, and insulin, Female or Male Hormone Panel, testing progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen levels.

FREE Webinar

Eat, Run, and Fight Stress!
Monday, April 26, 2010
3:30 - 4:30 pm EDT

Register Now!

On a scale of 1 to 10, how stressed are you? Have you ever had a bad race or workout because of stress? Do you commonly experience sugar or salt cravings? Do you feel like it takes a long time to recover after exercising or running? Or do you find yourself getting sick often, especially after long races?

Join Registered Dietitian Melissa Majumdar as she explores how stress affects running and overall health. Learn how proper fueling can actually decrease your level of stress and increase your performance level. Explore how nutrition and the "lost nutrients" water and sleep may be your missing link and the answer to your best season yet.

In Office Seminar - Nutrition, Stress & Metabolism

How many calories does stress have? We agree that this is a ridiculous question, but ask almost anyone if stress makes you gain weight and you will receive a resounding "yes." But, if stress has no calories, then how does it affect your weight? The truth is that the calorie model is not the whole story on fat loss. Stress and other lifestyle factors work through hormonal and metabolic mechanisms that alter not only the amount of calories we eat, but where on the body we store them, and most importantly what we burn: sugar, fat, or muscle.

Join Melissa Majumdar, Registered Dietitian, as she delves into the biochemistry of stress, nutrition, and metabolism. She will set the foundation with a scientific explanation of the function of your adrenal glands, cortisol, and insulin. You will learn the unique ways in which the metabolism and immune system respond differently to the type of stress - acute or chronic. Be prepared to walk away with precise tools to use through diet and nutrition to reduce stress levels, stimulate metabolism, improve mood and optimize health! You do not want to miss this valuable seminar!

We look forward to seeing you all for the April 22nd lecture on "Nutrition, Stress & Metabolism" at 6:45 pm! Healthy snacks and beverages will be provided, courtesy of Whole Foods Market in Rockville. Advanced registration is required, so please visit our website to register for your seat at this and upcoming seminars.

Running & Nutrition Truths FREE Webinar

Nutrition is often the missing link in an athlete's training plan. If you are looking to improve your performance or take things to the next level (or even lose a little weight), take the next step. Join Melissa Bosslet Majumdar, Registered Dietitian and member of the Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition Group of the American Dietetics Association as she discusses running and nutrition with resident running expert, Sarah Stanley of Sarah Stanley Inspired. "Running and Nutrition Truths" will be broadcasted for FREE on Thursday, April 8 at 12:00 pm EST. The information is valuable to for the novice and elite athlete - it is not exclusively for runners either, so tell your cyclist/swimmer/rugby friends to register!

Sign up for the FREE webinar here!