Several hormones are responsible for weight gain and increased belly fat, says endocrinologist Elvira Yausheva.
Belly fat can stubbornly persist or even grow despite efforts to get rid of it (for example, through diet). This can happen in connection with the action of the hormone, the doctor Yausheva noted in an interview with Medikforum.
“There are five main hormones that can influence the appearance of fullness: insulin, cortisol, thyroid hormone, progesterone and estrogen. When the level of any of these hormones becomes imbalanced, it can lead to weight gain, especially in the abdomen, ”the specialist said.
According to the endocrinologist, some signs suggest that belly fat is due to a hormonal imbalance.
Weight gains despite exercise and diet.Elvira Yausheva shared: “hormonal” belly fat can often be recognized by the fact that it is not affected by those measures that usually help to lose weight. Often this type of fat is an age-related problem. In the aging body, insulin regulation changes, which causes the body to store fat rather than burn it. A typical example is the increase in belly fat in women during menopause.
Sudden cravings for sweets.This sign indicates a possible insulin resistance, which negatively affects the balance of the hormone leptin. Leptin “commands” the feeling of hunger: its increased production provokes an acute, poorly controlled desire to eat, including junk food. As a result, weight increases.
Mood swings. If, in addition to belly fat, there are sharp mood swings, this can also be a sign that hormones are “to blame”. For example, emotional problems arise when estrogen levels get out of control.
Severe stress.When the body releases a lot of the hormone cortisol, minor annoyances and problems feel like a universal catastrophe. Also, under the influence of increased levels of cortisol, belly fat can increase. This is due to the fact that the body goes into a special, stressful mode of existence and accumulates fat in order to ensure its survival.
Sleep disorders.High levels of the stress hormone cortisol negatively affect the thyroid gland, inhibiting its activity. The thyroid gland begins to produce its own hormones worse, which leads to weight gain. One of the signs of its reduced activity is insomnia.
Bloating. If you have not eaten any foods that cause bloating, but your stomach still seems bloated, this can also be a symptom of the so-called hormonal
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Expert advice: in the case of these signs, you should contact your general practitioner or endocrinologist and talk about the possibility of doing the necessary hormone analysis.
Signs that belly fat is growing due to hormones
Earlier, MedikForum.ru wrote about how breakfast at the wrong time can affect weight gain.
Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.