Hormones greatly affect the health of the body, which requires periodic follow-up. Any hormonal imbalance may negatively affect general health and increase the risk of complications. In this report,           "Dalili Medical" reviews the most prominent hormones that play a role in body weight, according to our website.

What is hormonal obesity?

 

The causes of weight gain vary from one individual to another, and sometimes weight gain may occur without clear reasons. This change in weight may be related to fluctuations in hormone levels within the body, as these hormonal effects are considered one of the main factors affecting the process of gaining and losing weight, which occurs naturally in our bodies.

Changes in hormone levels greatly affect the basic functions of the body, including how fat is stored and burned. Although weight gain resulting from these hormonal fluctuations may affect both men and women, the distribution of fat in the body shows differences between the sexes. When faced with hormonal obesity, it becomes necessary to identify the root cause and treat the underlying health problem that led to the imbalance in hormone levels.

What are the treatments available for weight gain resulting from hormones?

 

Treatments include dietary and lifestyle changes, such as exercise and stress reduction. There are also medications that target hormone levels or the body’s resistance to normalizing them, as well as medications that aim to manage appetite and adjust insulin levels. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove tumors that are causing excess hormone production. Treatment may also include replacing thyroid hormone or testosterone.

Are there preventive steps to avoid hormonal weight gain?

 

Early evaluation with an endocrinologist can help start appropriate interventions early, which can help reduce or even reverse hormonal weight gain. Additionally, improving dietary choices, increasing physical activity, getting enough sleep, managing stress levels effectively, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption are all effective ways to reduce and avoid hormonal weight gain.

Treatment for weight gain resulting from hormonal imbalance involves identifying and treating the hormonal problem, and may also require treating the underlying medical condition that is affecting your hormone levels.

**What is the Hormone Diet?*

 

The Hormone Diet is a diet that aims to balance hormone levels in the body, which contributes to weight loss and improved overall health. This system is based on treating hormonal imbalances that may lead to weight gain and increase the risk of other health problems.

**How ​​does the hormone diet work?**

 

Some studies have shown that the hormone diet works by reducing the consumption of foods that may cause hormonal imbalance, and increasing the intake of foods that contribute to regulating hormone levels. This diet is divided into three phases, where each phase focuses on a different group of hormones, and its details appear in:

1- **Cleansing phase** The first phase lasts for a week, and aims to cleanse the body of toxins and get rid of excess fat. During this period, individuals should focus on eating foods rich in fiber and water, while avoiding processed, sugary and fatty foods.

2- **Balancing phase** The second phase usually lasts for four weeks, and aims to achieve a balance in hormone levels. During this phase, the focus should be on eating foods that contribute to regulating hormone levels, such as lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits.

3- **Maintenance phase** The third phase also lasts for four weeks, and aims to maintain the weight lost in the previous phase. During this period, you can start adding more foods to your diet, focusing on choosing healthy foods.

**Foods allowed while following the hormone diet**

 

To achieve the best results when following the hormone diet, it is recommended to eat some foods, including:

- **Lean proteins**: such as chicken, fish, turkey, and eggs.

- **Vegetables**: such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.

- **Fruits**: such as apples, berries, pears, and oranges.

- **Whole grains**: such as brown rice, quinoa, and oats.

- **Seeds and nuts**: such as almonds, walnuts, and flax seeds.

**Foods prohibited while following the hormone diet**

 

People who follow the hormone diet should avoid some foods, including:

- **Added sugars**: such as sweets, soft drinks, and juices.

- **Saturated fats**: such as red meat and butter.

- **Trans fats**: such as processed foods.

- **Processed foods**: such as potato chips, pastries, and full-fat dairy products.

**Benefits of the hormone diet**

 

The hormone diet offers many health benefits to the body, the most prominent of which are:

1. **Weight loss** The results of some studies indicate that following a hormone diet can contribute to weight loss by regulating hormone levels, which leads to reducing appetite and increasing the rate of burning calories, thus achieving faster weight loss.

2. **Improving general health** The hormone diet can contribute to improving general health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Therefore, this system is suitable for all individuals and groups, provided that it is done under the supervision of a specialized medical doctor.

3. **Improving mood** Some studies have shown that following a hormone diet plays an important role in improving mood, by regulating hormone levels such as serotonin.

What we eat has a big impact on insulin and glucagon levels.In the body.

Here is a summary of insulin and glucagon levels by food category:

Food Category: Insulin Levels – Glucagon Levels

- Carbohydrates: 5 – 0

- Protein: 1 – 2

- Fat: 0 – 0

- Protein and Fat: 1 – 2

- High Protein and Low Carbs: 1 – 1

- Carbohydrates and Fats: 4 – 0

- High Carbohydrates and Low Fat: 9 – 1

We can see the effect of dietary carbohydrates when they are eaten alone, as they cause insulin levels to rise. The negative effect of insulin becomes more pronounced when meals contain large amounts of refined carbohydrates and little protein. My diet plan and supplement program are designed to achieve normal insulin levels in the body and increase glucagon levels, which helps to balance the two essential metabolic hormones. Only when this balance is achieved can fat burning outpace fat storage. In addition, by balancing these two hormones, we address the root cause of Syndrome X, which helps improve other associated symptoms, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood glucose disturbances. An additional benefit of this regimen is that your cravings for carbohydrates will be significantly reduced, if not eliminated altogether.

**Hormones associated with weight gain**

 

**Insulin* Insulin is produced in the pancreas in small amounts throughout the day, and its secretion increases after meals. Insulin plays a vital role in storing fat in the body, and it also prevents the breakdown of stored fat when its levels are high, which can lead to obesity and a disruption in the metabolism that promotes fat burning. Insulin levels in the body increase as a result of overeating, especially foods rich in sugars and processed carbohydrates, in addition to fast food.

**Ways to maintain normal insulin levels**

 

There are some strategies that can help keep insulin levels in the body within the normal range, which helps avoid insulin resistance that leads to obesity. These strategies include:

- **Avoid eating sugars**: Sugars contribute to increasing insulin resistance by raising its levels.

- **Do not eat too many carbohydrates**: Carbohydrates also lead to increased insulin levels in the body.

- **Eat protein**: Following a low-carb, high-protein diet helps burn fat and reduces high insulin levels in the blood.

**Replacing harmful fats with healthy fats:** It is preferable to consume healthy fats found in nuts and fatty fish, as these fats contribute to reducing insulin levels.

**Exercise:** It is recommended to exercise regularly to stimulate the process of burning fat in the body and reduce high insulin levels.

**Eat foods rich in magnesium:** The body needs magnesium to reduce insulin resistance, and it can be obtained from leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and avocados.

**Drinking green tea:** In addition to its many benefits, green tea helps reduce blood sugar and insulin levels, so it is recommended to drink it daily.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 is a hormone produced in the intestines when food enters it. This hormone plays a major role in maintaining stable blood sugar levels and enhancing the feeling of fullness.

Ways to increase glucagon-like peptide-1 levels Some measures should be taken to increase the level of glucagon-like peptide-1, most notably:

Eat foods rich in protein: which helps improve glucagon-like peptide-1 levels.

Eat anti-inflammatory foods: as chronic inflammation is associated with low levels of glucagon-like peptide-1.

Eat leafy vegetables: such as spinach, watercress, and others, which enhance glucagon-like peptide-1 levels in the body.

Eat foods rich in probiotics: Foods rich in probiotics such as yogurt and quinoa also help improve glucagon-like peptide-1 levels in the body.

**Leptin hormone *Leptin hormone is produced by fat cells, and is called the "satiety hormone", meaning that it is the hormone responsible for regulating appetite, as it sends signals to the brain that there are sufficient amounts of stored fat, and thus there is no need for more fat, which helps prevent overeating. When obesity occurs, leptin hormone does not work well, which is called leptin resistance, meaning that the body does not feel full even with eating large amounts of food. When leptin does not send satiety signals to the brain, the body needs more food, which leads to a significant increase in weight.

Leptin resistance in the body increases with high insulin levels, or inflammation resulting from eating unhealthy foods.

**Ways to maintain leptin levels in the body**

 

Some methods can be followed to maintain the level of leptin hormone in the body, including:

Avoid foods that cause inflammation: such as unhealthy fats and sugars because they cause leptin resistance.

Eat foods rich in healthy fats: which help prevent inflammation, such as fatty fish and nuts.

Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep leads to lower levels of the hormone leptin and increased appetite.

The hormone ghrelin is the hunger hormone that sends signals to the brain about the desire to eat when the stomach is empty. Ghrelin levels usually rise before eating, then decrease about an hour after eating, but in the case of weight gain and obesity, ghrelin does not decreaseIn large proportion after eating, which causes a feeling of hunger all the time, and thus overeating.

Ways to improve the function of the ghrelin hormone It is recommended to take some measures to improve the function of the ghrelin hormone in the body, which are:

Avoid sugars: Sugars contribute to a weak response of ghrelin after eating meals, which leads to a continued feeling of hunger.

Eat protein: It is recommended to eat protein at every meal, especially breakfast, as it can reduce ghrelin levels and enhance the feeling of satiety.

Growth hormone Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain, and this hormone plays an important role in a person's growth, determines his height and contributes to the processes of building bones and muscles. In addition, growth hormone affects the metabolism and burning fat in order to obtain energy, and it is noted that growth hormone levels are lower in obese people compared to people of normal weight. Multiple effects on health and nutritional balance for individuals.

Sex hormones Estrogen affects body fat distribution. Estrogen is a sex hormone produced in the ovaries of premenopausal women, which is responsible for stimulating ovulation during the menstrual cycle, in addition to androgen. In men, androgen is produced in large quantities in the testicles. Production of these hormones in both men and women gradually declines with age as their bodies stop producing large amounts of estrogen and androgen in the testicles or ovaries. Instead, these hormones are produced in much smaller quantities in body fat. Younger women tend to store fat in the lower body areas, while postmenopausal women and men tend to store more fat around the abdomen. Body fat distribution plays a crucial role in the development of obesity-related health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and some forms of arthritis, and is directly linked to lower levels of sex hormones, leading to hormonal obesity. Cholecystokinin is another hormone responsible for activating the digestion of fats and proteins. It is produced by cells in the intestines, and high levels of this hormone help reduce food intake.

How to improve cholecystokinin levels**

 

Here are ways to improve cholecystokinin levels in the body:

Eat protein: It is recommended to eat protein in every meal in reasonable amounts, and choose lean protein.

Eat healthy fats: Eating healthy fats increases the production of cholecystokinin in the body.

Eat fiber: Cholecystokinin levels increase with good amounts of fiber.

. Thyroid hormones The thyroid gland secretes three different types of hormones, which work to regulate metabolism, sleep, heart rate, growth, brain development, and many other different things.

Some women suffer from hypothyroidism, which contributes to weight gain, in addition to some other symptoms, such as:

Depression.

Constipation.

Fatigue.

High blood cholesterol.

Low heart rate.

Hypothyroidism also causes fluid to accumulate and be retained in the body, making the body look bloated as if it has gained a few grams.

. Ghrelin is also called the hunger hormone, and is secreted by the stomach, small intestine, brain, and pancreas. It is one of several hormones that cause weight gain in women. High levels of this hormone can cause weight gain, as the more you feel hungry, the more you eat. A previous scientific study found that the level of this hormone was higher in obese people compared to others.

Cortisol is known as the "stress hormone", and is produced by the adrenal glands. The body releases it when it feels stressed. High levels of cortisol lead to obesity, as the feeling of hunger increases with the increase in cortisol levels.

Following a strict diet can also cause high cortisol in the blood, because it causes a feeling of stress, which means eating more food.

Ways to reduce cortisol levels in the body

Here are the most prominent ways to reduce cortisol levels in the body:

Following a healthy and balanced diet: This means not overeating, nor depriving yourself of different foods, but in reasonable quantities.

Practicing meditation sports: Yoga is one of the most effective ways to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, which causes high cortisol.

Listening to music: Listening to calm music is also one of the ways to feel relaxed and reduce cortisol levels.

Getting enough sleep: In case of lack of sleep, cortisol levels in the body increase, which means increased appetite and eating a lot of food.

Peptide YY hormone also helps control appetite, and it is a hormone secreted by cells in the intestines and colon, and peptide YY contributes to reducing food intake and reducing the chances of obesity.

Ways to increase peptide YY levels in the body

Peptide YY hormone levels can be increased through the following methods:

Eating a low-carb diet: This is to maintain blood sugar levels, as high sugar leads to a decrease in the level of this hormone.

Eating adequate amounts of protein: Whether from animal or plant sources, it helps to enhance peptide YY hormone levels.

Eating fiber: It is also recommended to eat large amounts of fiber to increase the production of peptide YY hormone in the body.

. Melatonin Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in the body, and works to maintain the rhythm of the biological clock. Levels of this hormone increase in the evening hours until late at nightAnd it drops again in the early morning. When the levels of this hormone rise during sleep, the body temperature decreases slightly, and thus the growth hormone is secreted to help the body repair the damage. Unfortunately, many of us do not maintain this rhythm and system, which increases stress and ultimately leads to weight gain.

Estrogen The ovaries produce estrogen, which is the main female hormone, and it has many functions related to the woman's body. To maintain a woman's fertility, estrogen stores fat in the body starting from puberty, and it also stimulates fat gain in the first half of pregnancy.

During menopause, estrogen levels in the body decrease, and the fat storage site moves from the hips and thighs to the abdominal area.

Ways to maintain estrogen levels in the body

Some methods can help manage estrogen levels in the body better, and they are:

Eating fiber: Fiber helps reduce estrogen levels in the body, and it also increases the feeling of satiety.

Eating leafy vegetables: Leafy vegetables also play a role in maintaining estrogen levels in the body.

Eating flax seeds: It is recommended to eat flax seeds, which help maintain the level of estrogen in a woman's body.

Exercise: Exercise should be done daily to maintain physical fitness and estrogen levels at their normal rate.

. Testosterone This hormone helps burn fat, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve sexual desire.

Testosterone is produced in women in the ovaries, but stress and aging contribute to a decrease in hormone levels, which is associated with decreased bone and muscle density and an increased risk of obesity.

**Neuropeptide Y**

Neuropeptide Y is known to be produced by cells in the brain and nervous system. This hormone plays a role in stimulating appetite, especially for carbohydrates. Its levels increase when feeling stressed, which leads to an increased desire to eat, and thus may contribute to weight gain over time.

**Ways to reduce neuropeptide Y levels**

There are several ways that can help reduce neuropeptide Y levels, including:

1. **Eat moderate amounts of protein**: It is preferable not to overdo it or underdo it to maintain low levels of neuropeptide Y.

2. **Avoid food deprivation**: Food deprivation can increase neuropeptide Y levels, which increases the feeling of hunger.

3. **Eat soluble fiber**: Soluble fiber, which contains probiotics, helps reduce neuropeptide Y levels, as it promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines

**The most important hormone tests**

 

**FSH and LH hormone tests in the blood:**

These hormones are produced by the pituitary gland, as FSH stimulates the growth and development of the egg. LH also plays an important role in the process of egg release. When there is a disturbance in the levels of these two hormones, this can lead to ovulation dysfunction.

A ratio above 3 is an indicator of a possible number of disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

**Androgen (testosterone) DHEA blood test:**

 

The normal level of testosterone in men's blood ranges between 270 and 1070 ng/dL.

As for women, the normal level of testosterone in the blood ranges between 15 and 70 ng/dL.

**Estrogen blood test:**

Estrogen is the main female hormone that plays a vital role in regulating the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and menstruation in women.

The normal level of estrogen in women varies according to the stages of the menstrual cycle, as follows:

1. In the period from 1 to 10 days after the menstrual cycle, the value ranges between 24 and 68 picograms/ml.

2. In the period from 11 to 20 days after the menstrual cycle, the value ranges between 50 and 186 picograms/ml.

3. In the period from 21 to 30 days after the menstrual cycle, the value ranges between 73 and 149 pg/ml.

**Anti-Mullerian hormone analysis:**

 

This hormone is used to detect the ovarian reserve of eggs.

The normal value of anti-Mullerian hormone ranges between 1 and 4 ng/ml.

**Insulin hormone analysis:**

This hormone is secreted by the pancreas and is considered responsible for regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels.

The normal value of insulin in the blood ranges between 2.0 and 25.0 units/ml.

**Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) analysis:**

This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid gland to secrete its hormones and regulate body functions.

The normal value of TSH ranges between 0.4 and 4.0 milliliters of international units per liter.

**Thyroid hormone analysis T4:** Thyroxine T4 is the hormone secreted by the thyroid gland, which is responsible for regulating metabolic activity in the body. The level of free hormone FT4 is examined in addition to the hormone bound to globulin T4.

The normal range for the bound hormone T4 ranges between 65 and 160 nanomoles/liter (4.5 – 12.5 micrograms/deciliter).

As for the free hormone FT4, the normal range ranges between 10 and 25 picomoles/liter (0.8 – 3.3 grams/deciliter).

**Thyroid hormone analysis Triiodothyronine T3:** Triiodothyronine T3 is the hormone secreted by the thyroid gland, and plays an important role in metabolic processes in the body. This hormone can be found in the free form FT3 or bound to globulin T3.

The normal range for T3 is 0.91 to 2.2 nmol/L (0.17 – 0.07 mcg/dL).

The normal range for T3 is 0.91 to 2.2 nmol/L (0.17 – 0.07 mcg/dL).The free FT3 in the blood ranges between 2.3 and 4.1 picograms per milliliter of blood.

**GH Growth Hormone Analysis:** GH is the hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, and contributes to the growth and development processes of the body.

The normal rate of this hormone in the body in adult males ranges between 0.4 and 10 nanograms/ml, while in adult females it ranges between 1 and 14 nanograms/ml.

**Prolactin (PRL) Analysis:** Prolactin is a hormone produced mainly by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and is also secreted in smaller quantities by the uterus, prostate, and adipose tissue. This hormone plays a fundamental role in stimulating milk production in the breast after childbirth.

The normal rate of prolactin in the body ranges from more than 25 nanograms/ml in non-pregnant women, while in pregnant women it ranges between 34-386 nanograms/ml, and the rate in men is less than 15 nanograms/ml.

**What are the ways to support hormonal balance in the body?**

 

Not all hormonal disorders require the use of medications to restore hormonal balance in the body. This can be achieved through natural procedures and lifestyle changes, especially if the imbalance is caused by an unbalanced diet or psychological stress. Therefore, the following steps can be taken:

- Get enough sleep.

- Abstain from drinking alcohol.

- Quit smoking.

- Follow a balanced and healthy diet.

- Exercise and physical activity regularly.

- Reduce levels of stress, anxiety and psychological stress.

**Symptoms of hormonal imbalance**

Some symptoms may appear in the event of a hormonal imbalance in the body, including:

- Unnatural weight gain.

- Excessive sweating.

- Difficulty sleeping at night.

- Dry skin, which may be accompanied by a rash.

- Irregular heartbeat.

- Headache.

- Feeling stressed and depressed.