An endocrinologist can very often help you reverse weight gain that is associated with hormonal imbalances. Potentially useful interventions include lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet modification, or stress management, as well as treatments such as testosterone or thyroid hormone replacement.
Hormones that affect fat storage and weight loss
Our bodies produce a number of hormones, each with unique functions that keep us healthy. If certain hormones have higher than normal levels, losing weight can be much harder. Some of the most important hormones for losing stubborn fat are estrogen and leptin.
However, if weight gain or bloating happens around menstruation, it only occurs around the abdomen and is not due to changes in diet or physical activity; the cause could be hormonal. A doctor can determine if a person has a hormone imbalance by performing tests.
So what does a 'hormonal belly' look like? Well, it often shows up as a rounder stomach area due to increased visceral fat around the internal organs - you might hear this described as an apple-shaped body type.
Cortisol belly simply looks like abdominal fat, and there is no way to identify it by appearance. More important than its appearance is what cortisol belly can do to your health. Visceral fat is considered particularly dangerous because of its location near vital organs and its metabolic activity.
How Estrogen Replacement Therapy Can Help with Belly Fat During Menopause. Recent studies show that menopausal women on hormone therapy tend to have less body fat, especially visceral belly fat. Because estrogen affects how your body distributes fat, low estrogen levels can contribute to gaining fat in your belly area.
Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.
The article highlights five homemade morning drinks that assist in losing belly fat by enhancing metabolism and promoting fat burning. These beverages include honey-infused lemon water, jeera water, buttermilk or chaas, cinnamon tea, and green tea.
Eat a healthy diet: Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet with very little processed sugar can make it easier for your liver to process estrogen. Limit your alcohol intake: Eliminating alcohol or drinking in moderation can help your liver break down estrogen. Reduce your exposure to synthetic xenoestrogens.
While a balanced diet should provide most of the nutrients your body needs, certain supplements may be useful for helping you lose hormonal belly fat. These are: Fish oil: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements can help reduce inflammation and support weight loss.
If you're eating the healthiest foods and performing the best workouts to target belly fat, but aren't seeing any changes, you might be dealing with a hormonal belly.
“Adrenal cocktails”—mixtures of orange juice, coconut water, cream of tartar, and salt—are popular on TikTok, with users claiming they provide a range of health benefits, including weight management and stress relief. But there's no evidence to suggest these drinks provide adrenal health benefits, experts said.
Tips for Reducing Hormonal Belly In Women
Move regularly – Getting regular exercise helps fight against both VAT and SAT. Eat more fiber – High-fiber foods help you feel satiated for longer. Focusing on fibrous foods may also mean you'll be less likely to snack on highly processed options with added sugars.
Contrary to the many diagrams on the internet, stress belly has no specific look or shape. It is simply an accumulation of fat in the abdomen caused by stress. Exactly where and how the fat deposits accumulate depends on your unique body and does not follow a certain pattern simply because the fat is caused by stress.
To lose belly fat in one week, you can initiate lifestyle changes like running for 30 minutes every day and maintaining a diet that is low in calories, fat and sugar. Exercise and diet can prevent further fat accumulation in the body and can trigger fat burning, especially in the belly.