Physical inactivity is the main problems for not being able to lose weight, but depression, fatty liver disease, pre-diabetes and some gallbladderproblems can be the reason as well. Unexplained weight gain has been linked to hormonal imbalances in women, especially as they grow older.
Why the hormones need a reset
Every hormone is essentially a lock that should properly function. These locks are receptor sites which can get affected by inflammation that will make them ineffective. This is why we need to reset our hormones every now and then.
The main reasons for hormonal imbalance are consumption of meat, dairy products and eggs previously treated with growth hormones, as well as high sugar, caffeine and alcohol intake. The so-called “grain drain” from wheat, rye, barley and other corn-based GMO products can also worsen the problem, as can high fructose intake. Stress and exposure to xenoestrogens from the environment are another causes that may throw your hormones out of whack.
Give yourself a personal tune-up
Maintaining your hormonal balance isn’t as difficult as many people think – it’s as simple as a few lifestyle changes. Continue reading below to learn what you need to do:
Estrogen
Estrogen is an important hormone – if it isn’t balanced with progesterone in your body, it may lead to water retention, migraine, headaches and memory loss. Hormonal imbalance like this can also make you gain weight at the critical areas and accelerate the aging process.
In order to keep your estrogen levels in check, you can apply a topical progesterone cream on your skin. You should always wash your fruit and vegetables before consumption, and avoid foods rich in copper such as chocolate, shellfish, nuts and seeds. Copper is related to estrogen, so women using birth control pills or copper IUDs are more exposed to the risk of estrogen dominance.
Instead of drinking water from plastic bottle, drink it from glass or stainless steel vessels, and season your soups, salads and stews with cardamom seeds which can clean your body of toxins and balance your hormones. Avoid using personal hygiene products that contain parabens and phthalates, and supplement yourself with diindolylmethane (DIM), by taking 100 mg. twice a day. Finally, never reheat food in plastic containers and reduce the excess estrogen in your body by taking 2 tablespoons of cold milled flaxseeds every day – you can add them to your meals or smoothies.
Insulin
Consuming big amounts of caffeine, alcohol and sugar can raise our insulin levels, while consuming unhealthy food in general can also increase the blood sugar levels and overload the insulin receptors, which will boost the accumulation of fat. When the receptors are blocked, insulin resistance kicks in, which can make you gain more weight. If you’re having trouble focusing and suffer from intense hunger, while feeling anxious and tired all the time, it may be time to clean your insulin receptor sites.
To do this, you can drink a glass of water with 1 teaspoon of ACV after your meals. This will slow down the absorption of carbs and reduce the blood sugar levels by 30%. Another great tip is to increase your chromium intake, a mineral that can help insulin work better. Instead of sugar, use stevia or honey in your food and drinks, and start adding cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves and coriander to your food as well. Instead of coffee, drink a glass of lemon water in the morning to regulate your insulin levels and feel much better afterwards.
