Weight loss becomes much more difficult as you get older. No matter how much you diet and exercise, the scale sometimes refuses to budge. This can be extremely frustrating, but it’s important to know that it’s not your fault. Your hormones may be to blame. More specifically, a hormone imbalance may be affecting the way that your body regulates your weight

Hormones control your body functions, but naturally decline with age. Research shows that growth hormone, estrogen, and testosterone in both men and women begin to decline in the late 30s and 40s. This is followed by a drop in progesterone, DHEA, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin. Without the right balance of hormones, your body loses the ability to regulate the processes that lead to weight loss. This results in a slower metabolism, an increase in abdominal fat, and less energy for exercise.

Fortunately, through hormone replacement therapy, you can reverse your hormone imbalance and restore your ability to lose weight by simply replenishing your body with natural hormones.  But not all hormones are created equal, so medical experts recommend selecting a hormone replacement therapy that uses bioidentical hormones rather than synthetic ones. Bioidentical hormones are preferred because they’re tailored to have the same molecular structure and biological effect as the hormones produced by your body. Research shows that bioidentical hormones may be safer and rarely cause side effects.

Once you realize how various bioidentical hormones affect the way your body regulates your weight, you can understand why you need ample amounts of them. When added to a healthy diet and proper exercise, these hormones can help you take off the weight:

  • Testosterone is produced by both men and women inhibits fat storage, especially in the abdomen. In addition, it has been found to be very brain, bone, breast and muscle protective. Low levels can cause sugar cravings and may lead to insulin resistance.
  • Estrogen has multiple functions with positive effects of the bone, skin, and vagina. Low levels have been associated with weight gain.
  • Progesterone also has multiple functions including bone and breast health as well as facilitating the conversion of stored body fat to energy.
  • DHEA is an adrenal hormone that promotes weight loss by increasing the body’s metabolism, preventing fat storage and decreasing the appetite for dietary fats.
  • Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is needed to convert body fat into muscle mass. It also inhibits the production of body fat and decreases the visceral and subcutaneous fats.
  • Insulin in addition to regulating fat metabolism, causes glucose absorption in the liver, muscles and fat tissues.

By replenishing your ideal amounts of these hormones through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you can balance your hormones and reverse your weight gain.