How much you weigh depends on your hormones because they shape how
much you eat and the amount of fat that your body retains. You can
positively affect these hormones by making some simple changes to your
lifestyle.
Insuli
Insulin is manufactured
by beta cells in the pancreas. It controls how much fat is stored and
how much is used for energy. Lack of insulin and increased levels of
insulin can cause a variety of issues.
You can
stabilize the level of insulin in your body by cutting down on sugar and
following a diet that is low in carbs but high in protein. You should
also ensure that you work out consistently. Consuming green tea also
helps.
Leptin
Released by the fat
cells, this hormone lets your brain know when you’ve had enough to eat.
If this signal does not get through, your brain doesn’t realize that
you’ve gained enough energy and you continue to feel hungry.
Eat
foods that prevent inflammation and get some exercise every day. Stick
to a proper sleep schedule as lack of sleep can reduce leptin levels.
Ghrelin
Also
called the ‘hunger hormone’, the stomach uses ghrelin to let you know
that you are hungry. Right after you’ve eaten, ghrelin levels will be
really low. When the level doesn’t decrease, you don’t know when you
should stop. Stay away from sugary beverages and ensure that all your
meals contain a lot of protein.
Cortisol
The
adrenal glands release cortisol whenever you are stressed. But when
cortisol levels are always high, it can make you overeat and put on
weight. Studies show that those who carry a lot of fat on the hips and
thighs have high levels of cortisol whenever they feel stress. The best
thing to do is to have a well-rounded diet which is not too low in
calories. Try to do activities that reduce stress like meditation,
listening to music and resting.
Estrogen
It
is a vital female sex hormone as it causes the secondary sexual
characteristics of a woman to emerge. When estrogen levels are increased
or decreased, the body puts on weight. Consuming lots of fiber can
decrease the amount of estrogen produced. Regular exercise also works.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY)
The
cells belonging to the brain and the nervous system produce this
hormone which makes you feel hungry, especially for carbs. It is
produced in higher amounts when a person is stressed and causes binge
eating. A high-protein diet, regular meals, and consuming soluble fires
can help reduce the levels of NPY.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1)
When
food goes into the lower digestive tract, it produced GLP-1. This
hormone stabilizes blood sugar and decreases your appetite. Ensure that
your diet as lots of protein by eating foods like fish and yogurt. Add
plenty of leafy greens and probiotics and this will increase GLP-1
levels.
Cholecystokinin (CCK)
This
hormone is very similar to GLP-1 and those who have high levels of it
usually see a decrease in appetite. This also requires lots of protein
and healthy fats like the fat found in fish. CCK levels rise when you
ingest a lot of fiber.
Peptide YY (PYY)
This
hormone is also produced by the gut and helps reduce appetite. Follow a
diet which contains very little carbs and lots of organic food. Consume
lots of protein and fiber.