Hormonal Causes of Belly Fat

Hormonal Causes of Belly FatVisceral fat which is also known as belly fat gets accumulated around the stomach and other internal organs. Excess fat can be a problem for the body. As per the research made, it has been noticed that belly fat increases the chances of severe health problems like strokes or some other heart diseases, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. Hormonal causes of belly fat if ignored can affect the regular process of the body. If the production of hormones becomes unstable, then the chances of abdominal fat increases.

Role of Hormones in the Body

The human body has to perform a number of tasks that include fertility, physical activity and metabolism. Hormones are that chemical compounds present in the body that help to continue the body process. The endocrine glands are responsible for the hormones' production in the blood. This helps to turn the food that you consume into the energy for the body. Adrenal glands, thyroids and pancreatic islets make hormones for metabolism growth. If the metabolism rate is not proper, then chances of belly fat increases.

Hormonal Causes of Belly Fat

  • Belly fat is also categorized as stubborn belly fat. It occurs due to imbalance in the hormones and food that we consume. Increase intake of food with fatty chemicals results in belly fat that can also cause tumors in the body.
  • According to the research made by Mayo Clinic, the level of testosterone gets reduced as you grow older. Testosterone is something that help the body to get the lean muscle mass out of the calories you intake. Muscle cells burn the calories more as compared to the fat cells and also increase metabolism rate. This helps you to maintain healthy weight. Drop in testosterone level leads to loss of muscle tone and lessens metabolism rate.
  • As you grow older, the work of metabolism falls down. Due to this, when you intake fats, carbohydrates and proteins, it gets converted more into fat and less into energy. It has been also noted that the estrogen in the body also somehow results in belly fat. As the level of estrogen increases, it results in the hormonal cause of belly fat affecting both men and women. However, in women this problem occurs the most.
  • When the level of estrogen is high, it promotes the estrogen sensitive tissue in belly, waist and abdominal organ. In men, belly and chest are the primary parts to get affected, while in women, buttocks and upper thighs get affected.
  • Another hormonal cause of belly fat is androgen hormones. It causes normal changes in male puberty and affects the formation of sperms and sexual interest. Women produce androgen in the adrenal glands and in ovaries. Increase in the androgen level then results in weight gain around the abdomen and belly. This usually happens during the middle age.
  • The hormone which is released in the pancreas is called insulin. It helps to regulate glucose and protein metabolism. If your body is resistant to insulin, then every calorie you intake gets converted into fat, resulting in weight gain.

Fighting with this Problem

You should see to it that the level of estrogen is in control. To counteract the production of estrogen, your body should make antioxidant metabolites like Flavonoids and Indoles. These are the chemical compounds found in citrus fruits, a variety of vegetables like sprouts and cabbage or onions. Fatty fish like salmon or presence of omega-3 fatty acids also inhibit estrogen. Lessen the food consumption containing animal fat, canola and cook the food with olive oil. Avoid having potato chips; instead have nuts or sunflower seeds.

You should know the hormonal causes of belly fat in order to prevent the health problems that you can face by running away from it. Heart diseases, diabetes, tumor, strokes, etc. are some common health problems that you can have later in your life. Bringing a great change in lifestyle and performing regular exercises is the best way to stay healthy.


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