Weight Gain Culprits: Metabolism, Growth Hormones, And The Thyroid Gland
If you’re someone who has had a weight loss problem since you can’t remember when, then it’s such a frustrating and maddening sight to see someone wolf down seemingly endless servings of your favorite chocolate soufflé. And then, there you are sadly munching on your celery and carrot sticks. You’d want to stand up and scream “this is so unfair!”
I know the feeling.
But before you run in the middle of the street and scream like a raving lunatic, I would like to share some pretty interesting facts about weight gain and weight loss.
Weight gain can be summarized as the unused calories you have consumed. Burning calories which is less than the amount you consumed will invariably result in weight gain. Whereas if you restrict the calories you consume and increase your physical activity, it will result to a steady weight loss.
However, we are all unique. We are made differently. Others are lucky to have a fst metabolism which can effectively burn the calories they consume and there are the not-so-unfortunate ones which have to live will a not-so-fast metabolism.
1. Metabolism – So let’s talk about metabolism. Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories to provide energy for the many biological processes.
There are many factors which can affect your metabolism including genetics, your state of health, some medical conditions, as well as psychological issues. Increased physical activity, especially resistance training burns calories even after the workout and increases your metabolism rate significantly. Exercise also enhances growth hormone production which can help in weight loss.
2. Growth hormones – There is an ongoing study by Jeff Horowitz of the University of Michigan on the factors that affect weight loss-weight gain in groups which are eating the same number of calories yet have different rates of energy expenditure. The main focus of the study is to find out the differences in physiology and metabolism which cause others to gain excess pounds while others are insusceptible to weight gain.
In a preliminary study by Horowitz, he has found substantial evidence of the link between high growth hormones and weight loss. This premise is the one of the building blocks in the ongoing study between growth hormones and weight loss-weight gain.
3. Thyroid Gland – This is the gland responsible for the production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, both important thyroid hormones. These hormones are instrumental in “increase the basal metabolic rate, affect protein synthesis, and help regulate long bone growth (synergy with growth hormone), neuronal”.
A decrease in the levels of thyroid hormones result to the lull in the body’s processes – less heat is produced, the heart beats slower, and the brain slows down as well. An increase in the levels of thyroid hormones will produce the opposite effects.
An overactive thyroid has been long linked with weight loss whereas an underactive thyroid has been blamed for the excess pounds of put on by many.
There are other reasons for weight gain other than unmindful eating and little physical activity. If you are eating healthy but still experiencing weight problems, a visit to an endocrinologist, a specialist dealing with hormonal disorders such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism. You may have a hormonal disorder which can account for your weight problems.
So don’t do anything hasty. Visit your doctor. Know if you have a problem with your hormones. Your weight gain may have other reasons other than your diet and physical activity.
Weight loss will be safer and more effective if you know the reasons behind your weight gain.
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