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What is a hormonal belly?

Sometimes, excess fat around the belly is due to hormones. Hormones help regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive. If a person has a deficiency in certain hormones, it may result in weight gain around the abdomen, which is known as a hormonal belly.

medicalnewstoday.com - Hormonal belly: Causes and treatment - Medical News Today

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A variety of conditions can unbalance a person’s hormones. This disruption can lead to hormonal belly, which is excess weight gain around the stomach. Sometimes, excess fat around the belly is due to hormones. Hormones help regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive. If a person has a deficiency in certain hormones, it may result in weight gain around the abdomen, which is known as a hormonal belly. In this article, we discuss the different causes of hormonal belly and treatment options. Thyroid hormones Share on Pinterest Image credit: Jasmine Lin/Getty Images The thyroid releases hormones that help to control metabolism, which is the way the body uses energy. As a result, these hormones affect each organ in the body. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. When this happens, many of the body’s functions slow down. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) , a common symptom of an underactive thyroid is weight gain, often around the abdomen. The American Thyroid Association state that the weight gain may not necessarily be due to the build up of fat but may be due to the accumulation of salt and water. Treatment A doctor can prescribe levothyroxine, which is a medication that mimics natural thyroid hormones. A person can expect to lose less than 10% of body weight as most of the weight gain with hypothyroidism is the accumulation of salt and water. However, once a person’s thyroid levels are in the typical range, their ability to gain and lose weight is the same as those without hypothyroidism. A person can learn more about hypothyroidism here. Cortisol Cortisol helps the mind and body manage stress and plays a key role in the fight-or-flight response. When a person feels anxious or stressed, the body often goes into survival mode. When this happens, the adrenal glands produce more cortisol, which triggers the body to store more fat. The body often redistributes this fat to the stomach, chest, and face. However, according to the NIDDK , if the body continues to produce high levels of cortisol for an extended period, it can lead to more severe conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome, heart conditions, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Cushing’s syndrome can be very serious, and symptoms include: fatty hump between a person’s shoulders

increase in fat around the base of a person’s neck

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thin legs and arms

easy bruising

weakened muscles

purple stretch marks along the abdomen, hips, under the arms, and breasts Certain drugs, especially glucocorticoids, may cause Cushing’s. Pituitary tumors can also cause this disease. Treatment Treatment depends on the cause. If a person has Cushing’s syndrome, treatment may include drug changes or surgery to remove a tumor. However, if cortisol levels increase due to stress, a person can try some natural ways to reduce it.

Learn how to reduce cortisol levels naturally here.

Leptin The fat cells release a hormone called leptin. Leptin targets nerve cells in the brain, particularly the hypothalamus, and triggers a feeling of fullness. According to an older study , the leptin levels in the body correlate to the amount of fat the body has stored. Higher leptin levels tell the brain that a person has stored enough fat, triggering the feeling of fullness after eating. People with overweight tend to have lots of body fat in the cells and high levels of leptin. In theory, the brain should know that the body has stored enough energy. However, if the signaling between leptin and the brain is not working, leptin resistance can occur. Doctors do not fully understand what causes leptin resistance, though genetic mutations and changes in brain chemistry may play a role. Treatment Some research suggests that inflammation may cause leptin resistance. For this reason, doctors may recommend lifestyle interventions to reduce inflammation, such as exercise or eating an anti-inflammatory diet. However, research on leptin resistance is relatively new, so no specific remedy offers certainty for treating this symptom. Learn about other reasons for feeling hungry here. How to reduce belly fat Reducing belly fat requires a person to treat the underlying cause. A combination of diet and exercise may help symptoms. A person can perform exercises that burn fat, such as running, walking, and other aerobic activity. Reducing the calories a person consumes can also help. A person can learn more about how to reduce belly fat here.

medicalnewstoday.com - Hormonal belly: Causes and treatment - Medical News Today

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