Healthy weight

Hormonal imbalance and your weight — a Core Balance approach

by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

Many of the women in our Personal Program and those I see in our clinic feel so discouraged by the weight gain that often comes with hormonal imbalance. And most are not surprised to learn that weight gain and hormonal imbalance are intimately linked. What I’m always happy to share with these women is that we can absolutely do something about this! We can start by being mindful of the fact that, when, where, and how we eat all drive hormonal balance, and its effects on our weight. Food — primarily quality proteins and fats — provides the building blocks for all our hormones, including the major hormones like cortisol and insulin, as well as the minor hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

When we have consistently high levels of the major hormones (cortisol and insulin), it can lead to increased food intake and weight gain. And from what the research tells us, weight gain itself leads to increased levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone in the body. Women who are gaining or holding onto extra weight can have problems with hormone imbalance because fat tissue itself begins to function as an endocrine organ, increasing the pool of circulating sex hormones in the body. And this troublesome feedback loop becomes especially apparent after menopause.

The great news is that by changing what you eat and how, you can help balance your major and minor hormones naturally. The Core Balance Diet for Hormonal Imbalance offers a specially formulated eating plan that includes natural foods and herbs shown to improve hormonal regulation.

But, it’s important to remember that there are also many emotional nuances to this equation, too — cortisol, in particular, can be very troublesome when women have a lot of stress in their lives. I explain this in detail — and much more about stubborn weight — in my new book, The Core Balance Diet. Women have also found our article on weight gain in perimenopause very helpful. Don’t give up before getting to the core!

Our Personal Program for Core Balance is a great place to start

The Personal Program for Core Balance helps rebalance your body to promote natural and lasting weight loss. At the heart of our Program is The Core Balance Diet, an eating plan designed to provide the body with the foundation it needs to lose pounds along with the digestive and nutritional support needed to maintain a healthy weight.

• To learn more about the Program, go to How the Program works.
• To learn if the weight loss approach in the Personal Program for Core Balance will work for you, take our on-line Weight Loss Profile.
• To start taking control of your weight today, sign-up for a risk-free trial.
• If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at . We’re here to listen and to help.

Related to this article:

References & further reading on core hormonal imbalance

 

Original Publication Date: 04/16/2009
Last Modified: 08/17/2009
Principal Author: Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP