If you have been reading the articles the past few weeks, you have probably learned quite a bit about body chemistry and hormones. You have found out that there are many very intricate processes involved when it comes to metabolism and weight loss. As you have seen, metabolism and weight are due to the balance – or imbalance- of these hormones. There are 5 more that we will conclude with this week.
The first of this article is Progesterone. Last week we talked about testosterone and estrogen. Like these two, progesterone is in both genders, but has a greater impact on the body shape of women. Progesterone works with estrogen to give women an hour-glass shape. Get some of these hormones out of balance, and that shape can turn into an apple or pear shape. In the body, progesterone helps to suppress some of the negative effects of cortisol.
To keep progesterone levels balanced, women need to get enough sleep as well as keeping stress at bay. Taking long slow walks or engaging in other relaxing activities can help.
The next hormones on the list are Incretins (GLP and GIP). These are called the food tasters. That sounds odd, right? These are amazing hormones in that they can sense what macronutrients are coming into the body. As food enters the small intestines, they tell the body whether the meal is more fat and sugar, or more lean protein and vegetables. When there is more fat and sugar, more GIP is released. This is the fat storer. If there is more lean protein and fiber in a meal, more GLP is released. This is the fat burner.
It is clear as to why a meal of protein and fiber is more beneficial to burning fat. Not only is it probably lower in calories, but it sends the signal to your hormones to help you burn fat! Amazing!
The third on the list this week is Neuropeptide Y (NPY). This is produced and secreted by neurons in the sympathetic nervous system. It is also secreted in some areas of the brain. It causes fat cells to grow and expand. Neuropeptide Y works closely with cortisol – the stress hormone. Chronic stress causes an increase in NPY. This then causes an increase in food intake and fat storage, as well as increasing the number of fat cells in the body.
Clearly, stress reduction is crucial to lowering cortisol and its partner in fat production – neuropeptide Y.
Number 4 on the list is Irisin. This newly discovered hormone is called the “Exerciser Hormone” and is secreted by muscle tissue that has been exercised. It helps the body burn excess fat, plus it helps improve brain function. It even appears to have anti-aging effects.
The only ones who benefit from this hormone, though, are people who regularly contract the big muscle groups of the legs, back and chest. Hit the weights if you want the help of these fat burning hormones.
Finally, MOTS-c. This is a unique hormone in the fact that it is encoded in the DNA of mitochondria. Mitochondria are the parts of the cell that convert food into energy in the body. All the other hormones are encoded on the DNA of the nucleus. MOTS-c primarily targets muscle tissue, where it restores insulin sensitivity, counteracting diet-induced and age-dependent insulin resistance.
Exercise, and more importantly, intense exercise helps you make more mitochondria. This could help increase the levels of MOTS-c in the body and help burn fat.
In conclusion, all of these hormones we have discussed don’t require any special pill or potion to be secreted. What they do require is a healthy lifestyle. That would mean getting plenty of sleep, exercising on a regular basis, eating a nutritious diet and managing stress.
If you would like to get on the path to a healthier lifestyle, stop by the Canton Fitness Center today. Our motto is: “Believe in your health. We do!”