Hormones That Take Off the Pounds

Hormones That Take Off the Pounds

The frustration of not losing weight despite eating right and exercising is usually related to hormone imbalances.  In my last column I wrote about hormones that cause weight gain.   Now let’s consider several hormones that can you help lose weight!  Some of them increase metabolism, some build muscle, while others lower appetite and cravings plus stimulate the breakdown of fat.  

Hormones That Increase Metabolism

Thyroid hormone is our main metabolic hormone, directly increasing the burning of calories.  It increases the body temperature and overall energy.  Thyroid helps our fuel (food) burn more efficiently and will improve cholesterol metabolism.  Thyroid sensitizes other hormone receptors so they operate better.  Optimizing thyroid is similar to turning up the furnace or tuning an engine – the body simply operates better.

Glucagon, from the pancreas, is the opposite of insulin and works to release fat and glucose from storage to be used as fuel.  Protein intake will increase glucagon while high blood sugar and high insulin levels will turn down glucagon production.   

Many women are progesterone deficient and have heavy estrogen dominant menstrual cycles coupled with PMS for several weeks when their estrogen is not balanced with enough progesterone.  Aside from weight gain caused by estrogen dominance, the low progesterone itself encourages weight gain as progesterone supports thyroid while increasing body temperature and metabolism and it also blocks the fat promoting effects of our stress hormone cortisol.  

Hormones That Build Muscle

Androgen hormones such as testosterone and DHEA build muscle and break down fat.  They directly turn on DNA to make protein and build structure such as muscle and bone.  They also “kick-start” enzymes that break down fat.  The fat accumulation around the belly of aging men and women is partly due to declining levels of these androgen hormones.  

Growth hormone is touted as the “mother of anti-aging” hormones since it has so many benefits that promote health and slow aging.  Made by the liver, it too will build muscle and bone while breaking down fat.  

These hormones are all “anabolic” which means they build tissue.  Unlike the synthetic anabolic hormones abused by sports stars these natural anabolic hormones promote strong healthy bodies.  Unfortunately they normally decline with aging such that by age 50-60 most of us are starting to show the signs of their disappearance.  

Hormones That Lower Appetite and Cravings

Leptin is a fascinating hormone that was only discovered in 1994 and since then has generated much interest in the area of weight loss.  Leptin is made by fat cells and will signal the brain to lower our appetite and increase metabolism.  Leptin increases with weight gain, which sounds good, but similar to insulin as we gain weight and make more leptin, we become more and more resistant to its beneficial effects.  When I treat someone with insulin resistance I just assume they have leptin resistance as well and treat both.

Several hormones affect our mood, sleep, and appetite.  The key players are melatonin (sleep), serotonin (mood), dopamine (pleasure), and GABA (mood).  Melatonin is our main nighttime hormone, helping to promote restful sleep and the production of other hormones such as thyroid and growth hormone.  Melatonin levels decline by age 45-50 and many people start having sleep disturbances around this age.  

Serotonin deficiency is a cause of low mood and certain foods such as sugar and high-glycemic foods will temporarily stimulate serotonin.  Dopamine is our pleasure hormone being associated with cravings and appetite.  Stimulant drugs increase dopamine and lead to the “high” associated with them.  GABA influences mood by calming the brain, balancing the effects of dopamine and serotonin, thus promoting restful sleep and a calm controlled mood.  Proper support of this family of hormones will support controlled appetite and cravings.

Putting It All Together

Restful sleep has so many benefits on natural hormone production that perhaps it is our most important strategy to successful weight loss!  During deep sleep we make more anabolic hormones, thyroid and leptin.  Melatonin is part of the normal sleep cycle and is promoted by absolute darkness, quiet, and cooler temperatures.  

Regular exercise is another way to increase anabolic hormone production and increase leptin sensitivity so that leptin works properly.  A combination of aerobic (walking, etc) and anaerobic (strength training) is ideal.  Peak intensity training, also called high-intensity-interval or burst training, to threshold will maximize growth hormone output.

Diet plays a major role in more than just the amount of calories consumed.  The proper balance of proteins and carbohydrates is essential.  The protein stimulates glucagon production and provides the amino acids necessary to make serotonin, dopamine and GABA.  Protein is also necessary for good muscle development.  Including anti-inflammatory fats (omega-3) is also important as fats do not stimulate insulin, help provide a long lasting energy source and satisfy appetite.  Eliminating sugar and limiting high-glycemic foods and inflammatory fats (saturated, red meat) will help.  Avoid high-fructose energy drink!  Supplement with whey protein isolate or concentrate to get a quick supply of protein – I recommend a few scoops very first thing in the morning to help stabilize blood sugar through-out the day.

We recommend many natural supplements to help with hormone production.  5-HTP will help serotonin, tyrosine will increase dopamine, and GABA supplements can be taken directly.  Irvingia is a supplement derived from the African Bush Mango that helps increase leptin sensitivity.  Cinnamon and berberine help insulin sensitivity.  These are just a few of the dozens of natural supplements that can help manage weight.

Recognizing the “root cause” of thyroid and progesterone imbalances is necessary to get the right treatment and cure these issues.  Other conditions such as leaky gut, autoimmune disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome need be identified and fixed.  At some point direct hormone replacement is indicated for the normal age related decline in the anabolic hormones.  

Our weight loss programs addresses all these issues and many others.  Simply telling patients to “watch what you eat and exercise more” is not good enough!  Addressing hormone imbalances is a necessary part of successful weight loss.

Free seminars

Low Thyroid:  Misunderstood, Misdiagnosed, Missed!
Monday, September 17th at 6pm, at the IMC

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Monday, October 1st at 6pm, at the IMC

RSVP at 245-6911 or online at rsvp@imcwc.com

Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia, weight loss and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado and Integrative Weight Solutions.  Call 245-6911 for an appointment or more information.