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Weight
Gain
Weight gain is a
very common concern shared by many women as they age. Women
complain not only about weight gains from 10-40 pounds, but also
the change in the shape of their bodies. The fat accumulates
around the stomach, buttocks and thighs rather than being evenly
distributed over their entire body.
When hormones
become unbalanced and estrogen dominance occurs, the average man
or woman may add 1-2 pounds per year between ages 35 and 55.
This weight goes right around the middle and can be almost
nuclear as far as losing the weight until hormones are
balanced.
What is going on?
Excess estrogen
(estrogen dominance). What is estrogen dominance: Click
HERE!
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Causes
abdominal tissues to retain water and causes bloating. When
women are menstruating, this bloating occurs right around
the menstrual cycle. When women no longer have periods and
are not producing progesterone, the bloating will be a
constant problem. Progesterone is actually a natural
diuretic.
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Encourages
your body to convert food calories into fat instead of using
them for energy. Progesterone encourages the body to use
calories for energy; without enough progesterone, the body
is compromised in its ability to metabolize calories
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Estrogen
dominance will cause your body to increasingly resemble a
pear as the fat is stored in the abdominal area. Abdominal
fat is a sign that the body’s internal hormonal ratio of
progesterone to estrogen is disturbed.
Thyroid
is negatively affected when progesterone is low. Studies reveal
that estrogen dominance can cause an increase in thyroid binding
globulin, placing the thyroid into a sluggish state. The thyroid
gland affects metabolism and when it is not working properly,
all of your dieting and exercise will be futile. Because a
primary function of the thyroid is to run the body’s metabolism,
hypothyroidism causes the body’s metabolism to slow down.
Insulin
is affected by hormone imbalance. Estrogen dominance can cause
insulin to be released more often than it is needed due to a
condition called insulin resistance. This extra release of
insulin causes the body to crave sugar. These cravings can be
uncontrollable in nature. Women find themselves eating when they
say they are not hungry, but they cannot stop their brain from
demanding that they consume something sweet. Progesterone
balances estrogen and regulates the release of insulin.
Insulin spikes
cause the body to make and store fat.
Fat cells
accumulate around the abdomen when you are estrogen
dominant because estrogen levels impact where the body
distributes fat. As your body struggles to maintain hormone
balance, body fat becomes more valuable because estrogen is made
and maintained by abdominal fat. It is a very vicious cycle. Fat
cells make estrogen and, in turn, the estrogen tells your body
to store fat. Hormone balance is key.
Cortisol
(the stress hormone) tells the body to store fat.
Intra-abdominal fat cells can enlarge tremendously when the body
is under chronic stress. A “poochy” tummy can be caused by
exposure to high rates of cortisol.
Xenoestrogens cause a build-up of toxins in the fat
cells. Instead of bio-identical hormones, which cycle through
the body, xenoestrogens will not leave easily. Progesterone will
protect the body from the harmful effects of xenoestrogens and
occupy the receptor sites.
Low
serotonin levels decline with age. Serotonin helps the
body control appetite, food cravings and binge eating. Dieting
becomes a losing proposition. Hormonal balance helps keep
serotonin at a normal level.
If you are
frustrated with a “spare tire”, pear-shaped body or monthly
bloating, the use of natural progesterone can help you restore
your hormone balance and metabolic activity. Fat distribution
will normalize and weight loss will occur. If you would like to
read more about the “Hormone, Weight & Mood connection, you may
wish to order the Good Mood Diet Plan.
MEN CAN HAVE ESTROGEN
DOMINANCE WEIGHT GAIN, TOO
Contrary to
popular belief that estrogen is a “female” hormone, men can
also be estrogen dominant. In men, progesterone is produced
in the adrenal and testicular tissue. According to John R. Lee,
M.D., author of Hormone Balance for Men, “A man’s progesterone
production will decline with age. Falling progesterone levels
lead to a fall in testosterone levels. As both the progesterone
and testosterone levels decline, the male body becomes estrogen
dominant.”
Men are also exposed to the same environmental estrogens as
women. Signs that a man are estrogen-dominant include weight
gain around the middle, hair loss, development of breasts,
and fatigue. This is a common occurrence in men after the age of
40.
The progesterone
recommended dose for men is 10-12 mg per day applied
transdermally.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You do NOT have
to accept “middle-aged spread”.
You do NOT have to get heavier and heavier with each passing
year. Both women and men can use natural progesterone crème to
counter-balance the weight-gaining effects of estrogen
dominance.
You can lose those extra pounds!
With progesterone use:
• A metabolic response is triggered at the cellular level that
will allow weight loss to occur
• It acts as a natural diuretic, reducing bloating
• Insulin release is regulated, reducing food cravings and
normalizing blood sugar
If you have been
using progesterone and have not lost weight or still have
cravings, you should address your serotonin levels which may be
low. There is an established connection between hormones,
weight, and mood and a serotonin-raising diet can be your
answer.
Click
HERE for the Good Mood Diet Plan!
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