10 hormones that factor with your weight loss

Leptin- (source is the fat cells)leptin manages how much fat is stored around the organs and under the skin. Over weight population tend to produce too much leptin. From refined carbs, low fat products, high fructose corn syrup and trans fat. These foods signals to the body as starvation, which makes the body burn fewer calories and store fat. High leptin levels lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and obesity. Eat real food! veggies, fruits, whole grains. Foods with natural fats, and fish

Thyroid hormone- (T3 triiodoththyronine/T4 thyroxine) Are used for energy and metabolism. These hormones are referring to the number of iodine molecules in each thyroid hormone molecule. Around 80% is T4 and 20% T3. Underactive thyroid makes your metabolism slow so you gain weight even when you don’t eat much food. These hormones provide energy and improve thinking abilities, boost immune system, decreases bad cholesterol (LDL), lower blood pressure.

Hypeothyroidism is an under active thyroid and is caused when the thyroid isn’t making enough of the hormone. This causes a the metabolism to slow down, lower body temp, fatigue, slow heartbeat, high triglycerdies , dry skin/hair, depression, memory disturbances, and weight gain.

Hyperthyroidism is an over active thyroid and causes unhealthy weight loss. This is an autoimmune disease, which means the body attacks the thyroid gland and making less of the thyroid hormone.

Foods that balance the thyroid hormone-  sea salt (moderation), fish, shellfish, and sea veggies. ***Iodine is the key also fruits and veggies are the safe types of carbs to eat and increase thyroxin.

Foods that influence sluggish thyroid: low-fat, carb, and protein diets. Excess alcohol, vinegar, salt, fluorie in tap water, soybean and corn oil

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)- produced in the pituitary gland and controls the growth and repair of tissues. HGH levels began to decrease after the age 21. This is when we start aging, when HGH decreases the body regenerates itself at a much slower rate. We become deficient in HGH when we get over weight. Body fat is an inhibitory of HGH the more body fat you have the lower HGH you have. HGH stops insulin, the fat storing hormone. So as HGH declines your insulin remains the same (in hormone production). Fasting has been known to help induce HGH secretion.

Foods that balance HGH- veggies, fruits, poultry, eggs, fish, anaerobic exercise, weight loss, and fasting

Food that is bad for HGH- low-protein diets, alcohol, vinegar, white bread, pasta, low-fat products, cereals, and no exercise

Cortisol- is produced in the adrenal glands and is used for energy and inflammation control in the body. This is a stress hormone that gives us energy. Cortisol increases blood sugar levels, raises blood pressure, and neutralizes inflammation. When we have excess sugar this causes impairment on insulin and has a negative effect on cortisol. This hormone was originally made for us to be used when we encountered a stressful situation. Now it’s used anytime we have a sugar overload.

Foods that balance Cortisol-  veggies, fruits, fish, eggs, poultry, red meat (limited), and relaxation.

Foods that are bad for Cortisol- sugar, alcohol, sweets, soda, cookies, cereals, fat-free food, trans fat, and stress

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)- also from the adrenal glands and is in control of numerous functions.  As we get older our DHEA levels decrease (like HGH). DHEA can be converted into other hormones and has physiologic functions. DHEA naturally increases of serotonin which tells us were full when eating and converts glucose into fat.

Foods that balance DHEA- veggies, fruits, poultry, eggs, and saturated fat (butter)

Foods that decrease DHEA- sugar, sweets, alcohol, margarine, coffee, white beard, soy, pasta.

Estrogen and Progesterone- produced mostly in ovaries but also the adrenal glands. This is the female sex hormones but males also produce it in small amounts also. Estrogen stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, increases alertness, lowers body fat, increases insulin sensitivity, and improves glucose tolerance. Estrogen is produced in women everyday and progesterone is produced 2 weeks before a women’s period.

Foods that balance these hormones- eggs, butter, poultry, whole milk, and weight loss

Foods that imbalance these hormones- sugar, fat free foods, margarine, excess alcohol, smoking, drugs, lack of sexual activity, fat free dairy, and obesity

Testosterone- produces in the testes in men and adrenal glands of men and women. In males this hormone is necessary to maintain muscle mass and strength, bone mass, normal hair, libido, and sperm production. Food that boost testosterone- eggs, liver, butter, fish, poultry, and frequent sexual activity.

Food and decrease testosterone- sugar, fat free foods, margarine, excess alcohol, tobacco use, durgs, lack of sexual activity

Hormone	Source	Target tissue	Function
Insulin	Pancreas	Throughout the body	Regulates blood glucose levels, Increases storage of glycogen, facilitates glucose intake by the body cells
Glucagon	Pancreas	Liver	Stimulates the breakdown of glycogen (stored carbs) into glucose (blood sugar), regulates glucose levels
Leptin	Fat cells	Brain	Satiety control
Thyroid Hormone	Thyroid gland	Throughout the body	Increase metabolic functions, promotes normal growth
HGH	Anterior pituitary gland	Throughout the body	Stimulates growth and development
Cortisol	Adrenal glad	Throughout the body	Key role in stress response, increases blood glucose levels and mobilizes fat stores, reduces inflammation
DHEA	Adrenal glad	Throughout the body	Father of sex hormones
Estrogen	Ovaries	Female sex hormone	Causes sexual development and growth, maintains proper functions of female reproductive system
Progesterone	Ovaries	Mammary glands uterus	Prepares uterus for pregnancy
Testosterone	Testes	Throughout the body	Sexual development and growth spurt, maintains proper functioning of male reproductive system

Source:

The perfect 10 diet by Michael Aziz, M.D. published by Cumberland house, an imprint of source books inc. 2009 Naperville, Illinois