8 health problems that make you fat –

Of course, eating less and exercising is a sure way to stay in shape, but a double is not always enough. Before giving up on your goal of making the mannequin smaller, know that the way to to lose weight it has curves that many people don’t even imagine and that come up against issues related to their health. Find out what these factors are:

1. Inflamed cells

It’s not news that those who abuse French bread, rice, pasta, sugar, red meat, yellow cheeses and industrialized dishes take longer to reach the desired weight. The problem is that, calories apart, these foods are inflammatory, as nutritionist Roseli Rossi, from São Paulo, warns. “Include them in menu every day, even in small amounts, means nourishing the adipocytes, cells that store fat”, he says.

In a self-defense mechanism, they end up producing adipokines, substances with high inflammatory power that take over most of the body’s cells and lead to the formation of unwanted white fat, the one that accumulates in the belly, breeches and butt.

The exit

Eat more fish of cold water, such as salmon, tuna, cod and sardines. They are full of polyunsaturated fats, such as omega-3, the number 1 enemy of inflammation. To reinforce this army anti-inflammatoryalso consume oats, linseed and chia (seed very rich in nutrients), as well as apples and legumes (beans, lentils, chickpea). All these foods contain substances with antioxidant action and, as they are rich in fibers, slow down the absorption of sugar by the blood. This prevents excessive insulin production, fat accumulation and cell inflammation.

2. Uncontrolled emotions

Everyone has been through this: at the time of sadness, stress, doubt or anxiety, when it comes to that lump in the throat, almost nothing works better to relieve the anguish than eating. Studies suggest that in these extreme situations, when you are one step away from losing control, the organism activates a gene that causes the munchies due to fattening foods. At these times, you are capable of doing anything for a sweetie, something fat or simply devour whatever is in front of you. That’s because the sugar and fat trigger the brain’s reward center, which releases dopamine and sends the low mood right away.

The exit

Look for other ways to reach the brain’s reward center, which responds to pleasure and well-being, and to relieve tension. Working out, meditating, engaging in a hobby that makes you feel good, and even having sex are all ways to make yourself happy without compensating in other ways.

3. Failed thyroid

This gland, located in the neck, produces two hormones (T3 and T4) that regulate the organism – from the heartbeat to the work of the intestine, reasoning and muscular strength. Another gland, the pituitary, which is at the base of the brain, secretes TSH, which stimulates thyroid to manufacture T3 and T4. When she produces these hormones in insufficient quantity, the hypothyroidismwhich slows down the whole body, including the metabolism – hence the difficulty in losing weight.

“The disease is also related to salt and water retention, which lead to swelling“, observes endocrinologist Carolina Mantelli Borges, from São Paulo. “A woman with hypothyroidism gains, on average, 3 to 5 kilos in a year.”

The exit

“A common blood test can measure TSH levels in the body. If there is any change, the doctor recommends doing the hormone replacement“, explains the endocrinologist. In general, the control of hypothyroidism consists of taking a pill with synthetic thyroid hormone daily, with dosage guided by the endocrinologist according to the results of the blood test. “The drawback is that treatment, most of the time, needs to be maintained for life to regulate the thyroid and prevent the return of symptoms”, says Carolina.

4. Too much stress

When the work routine is crazy, the relationship is not going well or the bills are not closed at the end of the month – or, worse, all of these together –, it is quite possible that your body ends up paying the price. This is because, in times of high tension, the body is bombarded by cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline, substances that lead to the accumulation of body fat. To make matters worse, they bring down the rhythm of the metabolism, which makes energy expenditure difficult. Not to mention that, in the impulse to ease tension, it is common to fall head over heels for sweets and fattening foods. And, with the body working more slowly, the result is known: extra kilos on the scale.

The exit

First, find the source of your stress – the job, the relationship, the lack of money? Then look at ways to alleviate it, knowing that you will likely have to make lifestyle changes. If you’re not working out, you don’t know what you’re missing: the physical activity it is a powerful escape valve for tensions, as it stimulates the release of substances that increase well-being and improve mood. While exercising, the head is also more relaxed, which favors reflection on issues that generate concern. It’s trying to prove it.

5. Wrong pill

The reaction to contraceptive is very individual – some women have complaints such as weight gain, oily skin and change in libido after they start taking it, but others do not feel any change. Experts clarify that the main villain for those who complain that they gained weight is estrogen, a hormone present in some medications. It can lead to liquid retention (and not fat) and make it difficult to eliminate, which causes swelling and reflects on the scale.

The exit

It is often necessary to experiment with pills of different brands and dosages until you find one that works for you and does not offer negative side effects. The most modern ones tend to have less impact on weight than the old ones, as they bring smaller doses of estrogen and, therefore, do not cause as much water retention. Talk to your gynecologist to learn about the best alternatives for you.

6. Food allergy

We are not talking about foods that trigger, shortly after eating, rashes on the skin, itching, cramps… The allergy that makes you fat happens later: with time, you notice that the pointer on the scale has gone up for no apparent reason. This happens because of immunoglobulin G, the antibody that activates defense cells in allergic processes and causes, as perverse side effects, water retention and fat storage.

In addition, there are large fluctuations in blood glucose, the amount of sugar in the blood. In the blink of an eye, it goes from high to low. “This is hypoglycemia, a manifestation of pancreas malfunction, often caused by food allergy“, says Tamara Mazaracki, nutritionist from Rio de Janeiro. Low blood sugar level is accompanied by weakness, hunger, then you need to eat again…

The exit

“Ironically, the foods we want to eat, in general, are also the ones that cause the most allergies”, warns the nutrologist. Here the villains are milk and dairy products, gluten (wheat protein), soy and egg, in addition to dyes present in industrialized foods. If you fit the description above, look for a nutritionist to identify the food that causes the allergy. The suspect must leave the menu for 30 days, the time necessary for his body to be free of its negative effects.

7. Bad sleep

The quality of your rest is directly linked to the action of the hormones ghrelin (which decreases the feeling of hunger) and leptin (which gives the signal that you are satiated) in the body. When you sleep well and enough, it produces more leptin and less ghrelin, which keeps your appetite in check. If you stay up all night or sleep poorly, however, the hormonal seesaw is reversed – ghrelin goes up and leptin goes down. The result: attacks of gluttony during the night that stays up and the next day, which inflates your ideal calorie quota.

The exit

Don’t force yourself to sleep eight hours every night if you’re fine with less, after all, it’s been proven that the need for sleep varies from one person to another. What matters is the quality of rest, that is, sleeping through the night, waking up rested and performing during the day. For this, some attitudes help: doing physical activity, transforming the bedroom into a peaceful and pleasant place, avoiding coffee and too much computer time close to bedtime, for example.

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8. Dysregulated hormones

It is not known for sure whether it is the polycystic ovary syndrome which leads to weight gain or the overweight that causes the syndrome, but it is a fact that gaining weight for no reason (and having difficulty losing weight) is one of the symptoms of this female disorder. For gynecologist Domingos Mantelli Borges Filho, from São Paulo, the explanation is that the syndrome disrupts hormones. “Women can develop insulin resistance,” he explains.

This means that the pancreas starts to produce it in greater quantity to put it inside the cells. And the more insulin left in the bloodstream, the greater the hunger and sacrifice to close your mouth. “To make matters worse, the increase in insulin in the blood unbalances two pituitary hormones, LH and FSH, responsible for controlling the ovaries, which further increases the risk of gaining weight”, adds Domingos.

The exit

There is no cure for the syndrome, but treatment, yes, which is usually through contraceptive pills to correct the hormonal imbalance. Be suspicious of the problem if, in addition to gaining weight for no apparent reason, the skin becomes more oily, menstruation unregulated and you notice hair growth in weird places (like face, belly and breasts). So, look for your gynecologist, who will confirm the diagnosis and point out the appropriate treatment.