Weight gain and your Hormones – what you need to know!
There is a strong connection between fat metabolism and the hormonal system, as the hormonal system determines where we deposit excess fat outside the liver.
The 101 on sex hormones
There are two female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. Progesterone is chemically similar to the male hormone testosterone and often an excess of progesterone displays similar characteristics to an excess of testosterone. All hormones are made from cholesterol and essential fatty acids, and a deficiency of cholesterol (usually rare) or essential fatty acids (usually common) may result in a deficiency of hormones. Excess cholesterol may be the result of poor conversion into these hormones.
Cholesterol is converted into progesterone which is then convened into oestrogen or testosterone (males). This production primarily occurs in the ovaries, although small amounts are made by the adrenal glands to aid the transition into menopause and during times of need.
The female hormonal cycle.
The hormonal system (endocrine system) must be in total balance for health to be possible. The female hormonal cycle is approximately 28 -35 days from the start of the period to the start of the next. This cycle is controlled by the pituitary gland, a small gland located in the brain which sends messages to the ovaries.
At the beginning of the cycle, the levels of oestrogen begin to rise. This continues with a gradual increase until day 13 where there is a sudden drop as the egg is released (ovulation). Then begins a gradual increase in progesterone. For the first half of the cycle, oestrogen levels are much higher than progesterone and during the second half, the ratio is reversed. The hormones are not released at a constant level.
How hormones are removed from the body
Throughout the cycle, hormones have to be broken down and eliminated to allow this normal fluctuation. Disturbance in levels of the individual hormones will result in imbalances.
Elimination of the hormones after they have performed their function is the responsibility of the liver and large intestine. A cause of excess hormones is poor bowel and liver function.
In a broad sense, the liver's main function is to detoxify the bowel. If liver function is poor or the large intestine is toxic (from poor carbohydrate, fat or protein metabolism) then improper co-ordination of the menstrual cycle will result, leading to symptoms and alterations in health.
The role of other endocrine hormones
Other organs may also be affected by improper hormonal levels. The thyroid, ovaries, pituitary gland and adrenal glands can all be affected by an excess or deficiency of these hormones. The effects of deficiencies or excess of these hormones on other organs explain the wide myriad of symptoms often seen with unbalanced menopause.
Oestrogen - common hormone imbalances
An excess of oestrogen or a deficiency of progesterone will result in decreased pituitary function affecting the entire hormonal system. It will also slow down the thyroid which is responsible for controlling how fast we burn calories and fat (weight gain), our temperature (hot flushes) and our energy levels (fatigue). Excess oestrogen will also cause fluid retention (high blood pressure) through its effect on the adrenal glands.
Initially oestrogen excess will speed up the activity of the adrenal glands, but eventually it will fatigue this sensitive organ. This causes diminished adrenal gland function, inhibiting our ability to make antihistamine (allergies) and causes a release of fats from the liver and fat deposits throughout the body as sugars. Our ability to make hormones after menopause and our ability to make anti-inflammatory hormone which stops excessive inflammation and pain (degenerative arthritis) also decreases.
With adrenal fatigue there will be mineral loss eventually resulting in osteoporosis. Oestrogen replacement therapy in the menopausal women does result in the retention of calcium initially but increased stimulation of the adrenal glands will eventually result in calcium loss.
Both oestrogen and progesterone cause an increase in insulin levels and are therefore important in the management of carbohydrates (sugars).
In the pre-menopausal female signs of excess oestrogen (deficient progesterone) include a short menstrual cycle, (less than 28 days) and heavy periods. Females with excess oestrogen are more likely to be overweight, although an excess of progesterone for long periods will also result in weight gain.
Common signs of oestrogen dominance in pre-menopausal women include
Water retention (oedema)
Fatigue and lack of energy
Breast swelling
Fibrocystic breasts
Premenstrual mood swings (PMS)
Depression
Loss of sex drive (low libido)
Heavy or irregular menses
Less than 28 day cycle
Uterine fibroids
Craving for sweets
Weight gain, fat deposits at hips and thighs
Symptoms of low thyroid function
Cold hands and feet
Progesterone - common hormone imbalances
Progesterone excess (oestrogen deficiency) causes increased pituitary function which results in increased stress on the entire hormonal system. When the body is healthy it can cope with this increased workload, but eventual fatigue, loss of health and weight gain will result. With the increased pituitary function, there is also an increase in thyroid function. This is why many people with an excess of progesterone are generally thin and full of energy, but if this stimulation is prolonged then eventual fatigue of the thyroid and symptoms similar to oestrogen excess may develop. There is increased fluid and mineral loss from the body because progesterone slows down the adrenal glands. Similar to prolonged excess oestrogen, excess progesterone will result in poor adrenal function and allergies, inflammatory disorders, poor fat metabolism and poor hormonal balance after menopause.
Furthermore, there is often difficulty getting pregnant when progesterone is in excess, as there is a tendency to develop polycystic ovaries with poor egg quality.
Signs of excess progesterone in the menstruating female are long menstrual cycle with scanty blood flow at the time of the period and lumpy breasts.
The bottom line
Depending on your age, your health, lifestyle and your individual medical history, your body type will respond differently to hormone fluctuations. A nutritional therapist can create a protocol to support the restoration of the target organs that might be out of balance due to the changing hormones and will work with you on target supplements and lifestyle interventions that will help to restore hormonal harmony. To see how I work with women on a 121 basis, see here.