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Did you know that hormones play a big role in regulating our mood, metabolism, and weight? When our hormones are out of whack, it can really mess with our mental health and body composition. In fact, hormonal imbalances can cause all sorts of issues, like depression, anxiety, weight gain and other hormonal disorders.
Let’s take a closer look at how hormones affect our mood and weight. Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter that helps regulate our appetite and sleep, so when our serotonin levels are low, it can lead to depression and anxiety. Estrogen and progesterone, female hormones, can also impact our mood and fluctuating levels during the menstrual cycle can cause mood swings and irritability (and don’t we all know it!).
On the weight side of things, hormones like leptin and ghrelin play a big role in regulating our hunger and satiety levels. Leptin, produced by our fat cells, signals our brain to reduce our appetite, while ghrelin, produced by our stomach, increases our appetite. Insulin is another hormone that affects our weight, controlling our blood sugar levels and storing glucose as fat in adipose tissue.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalances, such as fatigue, mood swings, weight gain or irregular periods, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. They can perform tests to determine if you have a hormonal imbalance and recommend treatments to help balance your hormones and improve your mental and physical health.
So, the next time you’re feeling off, remember that your hormones might be playing a bigger role than you think. Take care of yourself and don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it!