Is it difficult to lose weight? Hormones could be to blame –

The glands responsible for producing the hormones that control metabolism, reproduction, sleep and mood, among many other functions, interact with each other like the instruments of an orchestra. To present a symphony, each one needs to play his part well and be in harmony with the others. If one is out of tune or out of rhythm, the whole is harmed. Weight, like health, feels the impact. As much as you are persistent in diet and training, if there is an imbalance, you may not be able to tune or gain muscle. To put order in the house, you need to know your possible saboteurs and the attitudes that help to regain balance. However, under no circumstances do hormone replacement on your own. Adjusting the dose is a task for experts. “Exaggerating the supply of a hormone can disrupt the synthesis of another”, warns Fábio Cardoso, a specialist in preventive and sports medicine, from Blumenau (SC). In addition, replacement is not always indicated. Small changes in food and lifestyle can be enough for you to make peace with the scale.

extra weight

T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), secreted by the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck, act on the brain, liver, kidneys and heart, in addition to controlling fat burning, energy and fertility. “When they are low, metabolism slows down, which favors weight gain”, warns endocrinologist Ruth Clapauch, vice president of the Department of Female Endocrinology and Andrology at the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology (Sbem). Other symptoms that the thyroid manufactures less of these hormones than it should (hypothyroidism) are: hair loss, dry skin, tiredness, drowsiness, discouragement, joint pain and constipation (again, weight is at risk). Genetic predisposition, exposure to chemical substances through cigarette smoke, pollution and pesticides in food and abusive use of weight loss drugs are possible causes.

Action. Consume the essential nutrients for the T3 and T4 duo. “Good sources of iodine are needed (table salt, seafood), selenium (Brazil nuts, salmon, wheat bran, oysters), magnesium (whole wheat cereals, nuts, meat, green leafy vegetables) dark) and amino acids (meat, milk, eggs, beans)”, advises Victor Sorrentino, nutrologist, specialist in preventive and orthomolecular medicine, from Porto Alegre. Look for an endocrinologist to evaluate your thyroid. The treatment in general is simple and gives results: it is enough to replace the hormones.

bra fat

Every time the brain identifies danger, it prepares the body for war and cortisol kicks in. It controls blood pressure and stimulates the heartbeat. But if you live under stress, don’t sleep well or use corticosteroids continuously (against allergies and autoimmune diseases), this substance, manufactured by the adrenal glands, is constantly present in the circulation, which favors fat deposits. According to Ruth Clapauch, excess cortisol leads to an extra accumulation in the upper back (the so-called bra fat), in addition to increasing the propensity for stretch marks.

Action. Discover ways to release tension. Invest in exercise (wrestling, swimming, cycling, dancing, yoga) and activities such as meditation and psychotherapy.

bulky belly

Facilitating the entry of sugar obtained from food into the cells that need this source of energy is the role of insulin. Upon realizing the presence of this nutrient in the blood, the pancreas begins to release it. “The exaggerated secretion overloads the organ, which tends to wear out”, warns Ruth. Insulin still favors the stock of fat in the belly, in addition to disturbing the synthesis of glucagon, which is welcome, as it stimulates fat burning. Other signs of elevated insulin: acne, hair growth, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Action. Eat every three to four hours, giving preference to lean proteins (meat, eggs), good fats (avocados, fish) and low-glycemic carbohydrates (whole grains, raw carrots, broccoli, lentils), which are released into the bloodstream slowly, avoiding sugar spikes. “The problem today is that people overdo it with carbohydrates and choose the worst quality ones”, says Victor Sorrentino.

yoyo effect

Made in the stomach, ghrelin and leptin are responsible, respectively, for appetite and the feeling of satiety. Ghrelin, whose production spikes around mealtime, can make you overeat. Leptin, on the other hand, contributes to preserving weight memory. On a high, it can make you regain the lost kilos, causing the unpleasant yo-yo effect. “If the production of both is deregulated, there is no way to fine-tune it”, explains Fábio Cardoso.

Action. Escape radical diets. The body understands that it is going to enter a period of hunger and reduces the metabolism and, with that, the rates of ghrelin and leptin change. To avoid losing weight and gaining weight, it’s best to lose weight with a balanced diet, with complex carbohydrates, lean protein and good fat at every meal. And avoid prolonged fasting.

extra large hip

Sex hormones can interfere with weight. Progesterone levels affect fluid retention, causing swelling. Estrogen influences the distribution of fat: if it is low, it accumulates in the abdomen, and if it is high, it tends to settle in the hips. Women also need the male hormone testosterone. “In addition to causing a drop in sexual desire, low levels of this hormone make it difficult to gain muscle mass and burn fat”, says Victor. The replacement provides physiological, feminine doses to fill the need.

Action. Do a dosage of sex hormone levels. Although studies ensure that modern pills are not fattening, as they have a fifth of the hormone dosage of the pioneers, women who do not lose weight at all may be advised to switch from oral contraceptives to another method, such as the copper IUD.

Less muscles

While we sleep, two substances are produced that help sculpt curves. In addition to renewing cells, the growth hormone, GH, stimulates the transformation of fat into energy. Peak production is around 2 am. “Women who stay up late can show a significant decline at an early age”, warns Victor Sorrentino. Melatonin, released at dusk and during the night, is essential for the metabolism to work well. If the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness are not respected, its synthesis is compromised. “Staying up all night causes the production of this hormone to plummet”, warns Fábio Cardoso. “You can even lose weight when you lack melatonin, but you lose lean mass, not fat.”

Action. Sleep at least six hours a night. Leave the room dark, but with a gap for natural light in the morning. Avoid TV, computer and cell phone. Well-dosed physical activity improves sleep quality and hormone production. The right food too. “For fear of getting fat, some people cut fat and are deprived of cholesterol, raw material for the production of hormones”, warns the doctor. “To gain a healthy weight, it’s not enough just to count calories. You have to find balance.”