Even if you exercise and eat less, your belly fat will still sag. If you control this, you can lose it quickly.

If you're struggling to lose belly fat no matter how hard you try, a hormonal imbalance could be the cause. Learn about the hormones that contribute to belly fat accumulation and how to deal with them, as published in the American health information website "Prevention."

 

◇Hormonal changes cause fat to accumulate in the abdomen.

 

Dr. Krista Gonzalez, an American endocrinologist and educator, explains, "There are several hormones in our bodies that influence how fat is transported from the abdomen." Estrogen, a female hormone, is involved in fat distribution, and when estrogen levels decline, such as during menopause, fat tends to accumulate in the center of the body, toward the abdomen.

 

As testosterone levels, the male hormone, decline, body composition changes, including a decrease in muscle mass, leading to increased abdominal fat. Excessive secretion of the stress hormone cortisol leads to weight gain and increased abdominal fat distribution. As abdominal fat accumulates, the function of leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite, may also decline.

 

Dr. Gonzalez said, “If leptin does not function properly due to the accumulation of belly fat, you do not feel full, so the belly fat increases even more, which leads to weight gain, creating a vicious cycle.”

◇Physical symptoms indicating hormonal changes

 

If belly fat does not go away easily and is accompanied by the following physical symptoms, you may suspect a hormonal imbalance.

 

A typical symptom is belly fat that doesn't decrease with exercise or dietary changes. Sarah Gottfried, a hormone therapy specialist in the United States, explains, "When estrogen levels decline due to aging or menopause, insulin resistance increases, leading to belly fat accumulation. High insulin resistance causes the body to store fat instead of burning it, making it difficult to lose belly fat through exercise or dietary changes."

 

Because insulin resistance also affects the hormone leptin, it can lead to inability to control appetite and overeating. Women may also experience increased mood swings and susceptibility to depression. Insomnia and persistent anxiety are other signs of hormonal changes.

 

◇To restore hormonal balance

 

Maintaining hormonal balance requires appropriate lifestyle changes and medical intervention. Dr. Gottfried said, "To improve belly fat caused by hormonal changes, you need to exercise regularly and get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night." Exercise should be a combination of strength training and aerobic exercise to simultaneously increase muscle mass and metabolism.

 

It is recommended to reduce the intake of refined carbohydrates such as white rice, flour, and sugar and increase the intake of fiber such as beans and vegetables.

 

"Once you've established a proper diet and exercise plan, it's a good idea to visit a hospital and review it with your medical team or a registered dietitian," says Mir Ali, MD, a surgeon at the American Weight Loss Center. "Hormonal changes and belly fat gain can sometimes be caused by underlying conditions like hypothyroidism, so appropriate professional intervention is necessary." If diagnosed, customized treatment will be provided, including hormone replacement therapy or weight-loss medications.

 

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Hormones play a big role in dieting.

In order to maintain balance, it comes out every time

carbohydrate???

 

Increasing your fiber intake seems to be the basics.