Hormones and Weight Gain

The REAL Reason You Haven’t
Lost that Last 10 Pounds:

Sex hormone imbalances, such as estrogen and testosterone, can cause weight problems. Having too much estrogen causes weight gain whether you’re a man or a woman. Do you know how ranchers fatten steer before they go to market? They implant them with estrogen pellets.

For both genders, too much sugar, refined carbs and alcohol spikes estrogen. Keeping your gut healthy also cultivates healthy sex-hormone metabolism. Too little fiber or too many antibiotics damage the gut, triggering estrogen spikes because your body can’t properly detoxify or excrete waste. Environmental toxins thrive on pesticides called xenoestrogens, because even at lose doses, they act like estrogen in your body.

Symptoms of excess estrogen in women include breast tenderness, fluid retention, bad premenstrual syndrome, fibroids and heavy menstrual bleeding.

This can be confusing because, in fact , diminished estrogen levels can contribute to weight gain as well.  Symptoms of depleted estrogen levels for women include hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue, mood swings, depression , vaginal dryness, brain fog, even the increased risk for certain health conditions like heart disease and hypertension.

In men, excess estrogen can cause loss of body hair (including chest, legs and arms), a beer belly, and “man boobs.” Low testosterone in men can also accelerate aging. Lack of exercise, alcohol, stress, environmental toxins or diseases like diabesity or even pituitary problems can also lower testosterone.

Low testosterone in men and women causes loss of muscle and a gain fat, leading to sexual dysfunction, low sex drive, fatigue, mental fogginess and bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis.

Interestingly, cholesterol produces testosterone and other sex hormones. Eating a low-fat diet and taking statin drugs that block cholesterol production can negatively impact your sex hormones.

If you suspect imbalances, you’ll want to get tested for imbalances. It is important to find a functional medicine doctor who specializes in hormone imbalances, because BALANCE is key.

These five strategies can help get you started:
1. Eat a hormone-balancing diet, which is low in sugar, high in good fats, and high in fiber, can help balance hormones.
2. Bulk up on fiber. Ground flaxseeds provide optimal fiber and lignans, which balance hormones. Even two tablespoons a day to a shake or a salad can help. You’ll also want to eat fiber-rich organic fruits and veggies.
3. Eliminate daily. Constipation is bad for your hormones. Take magnesium citrate, vitamin C, probiotics and flax seeds daily to help maintain regularity. It’s a foolproof combo for most people.
4. Limit or remove alcohol. Excess alcohol can compromise liver and kidney function, which inhibit detoxification and create hormonal imbalances, high triglycerides and fatty liver.
5. Get moving. Exercise helps balance hormones, reducing estrogen and increasing testosterone, which helps you lose fat and build muscle.

Conclusion
While many culprits contribute to weight-loss resistance, I find addressing these hormonal imbalances help many patients lose stubborn weight. Hormonal balance might require working with a Functional Medicine practitioner, like Dr. Lazo Pipovski at LifeXL, yet for most patients these strategies become the ticket to ignite your weight-loss strategy.

Contact us: Lazo Pipovski, MD, Bethany Kulpeksa, CMA
For Scheduling: Call Sue Meyer, Office Manager

CALL 941.266.4469 OR 941.702.5972

5602 Marquesas Cir, Ste #107, Sarasota, FL 34233