Even drinking water will make you fat? Hormone imbalance is the culprit! Doctor: Check sex hormones for 4 major groups to lose weight more efficiently

I often hear people who want to lose weight complain: "Even drinking water will make me fat?" What is the reason? In fact, caution may be caused by hormonal imbalance. Doctors say the link between changes in sex hormones and weight is particularly strong. It is recommended that there are four major groups, regardless of gender, who, if they want to lose weight, should prioritize sex hormone testing. Only after adjustments can weight loss be more effective!

Dr. Yan Zuohua, deputy director of Lianxin Clinic, a Lian'an preventive medicine institution, said that losing weight has always been a difficult subject. Hormonal changes are closely related to weight. Hormonal imbalance will not only cause insulin resistance, leading to increased blood sugar, but also make it more likely to become obese. When the human body's hormones are out of balance, "even drinking water will make you fat?" may really happen.

Hormone imbalance is one of the causes of obesity! Failure to adjust will lead to a vicious cycle

Hormones are important substances responsible for transmitting information in the body. In addition to adjusting physiological functions, they are also closely related to weight regulation. Hormones that are well known to the public include thyroxine, insulin, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, etc. These hormones interact with each other and have an impact on weight.

The link between changes in sex hormones and weight is particularly strong. Dr. Yan Zuohua said that if men have insufficient testosterone, it will not only increase the risk of the three highs, but also easily cause blood sugar to rise and then accumulate fat. However, if they have the three highs or are obese, it will affect the synthesis of testosterone, turning it into a vicious cycle.

Clinically, it is common for obese menopausal women or young women with polycystic ovary syndrome to complain that they cannot lose weight even though they eat very little and exercise. Dr. Yan Zuohua explained that an imbalance of the sex hormone estrogen may be the main cause.

Clinically, it is common for obese menopausal women or young women with polycystic ovary syndrome to complain that they cannot lose weight even though they eat very little and exercise. Dr. Yan Zuohua explained that an imbalance of the sex hormone estrogen may be the main cause. Estrogen imbalance causes insulin resistance, which in turn causes blood sugar fluctuations and accelerates the production of body fat. Therefore, estrogen balance is more important for women.

4 major groups should prioritize sex hormone testing

If you have controlled your diet and exercised regularly but still cannot lose weight, you may want to check your hormonal status. Dr. Yan Zuohua also recommends that the following groups should consider giving priority to hormone testing:

1. Women with irregular menstrual periods or long menstrual cycles (more than 39 days).

2. Women before and after menopause.

3. Obese men and women.

4. Men with symptoms of low testosterone.

For male friends, since there is no clear age boundary for menopause, Dr. Yan Zuohua reminds: "Those who have symptoms of low male hormones such as decreased libido, lack of energy, fatigue, drowsiness, and low mood, and who cannot control their weight, are recommended to get checked even if they are not yet middle-aged."

After hormone adjustment, weight loss becomes smoother

Irregular lifestyle, reversed day and night schedules, malnutrition, excessive stress, personal constitution, genetic inheritance, etc. may all affect hormone balance. It is recommended to first understand the imbalance of sex hormones through examination, assess which key factors may cause the imbalance, and then intervene and adjust through diet, health foods, or use medications after professional evaluation by a physician to restore hormone balance.

Dr. Yan Zuohua shared a case he encountered in clinical practice. A woman had a relatively plump figure since puberty. Although she did not eat much, she was particularly prone to gaining weight. After a blood test for sex hormone-related hormones, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. With the doctor's advice, she was able to significantly improve her weight loss effect by combining diet and exercise without the use of medication.

Sex hormones have a wide range of effects on the human body, not only weight, but also mood, concentration, cardiovascular health, cholesterol, etc. Regardless of whether you are concerned about your weight or not, you might as well understand your hormonal status. You can find the problem through functional medicine's sex hormone and adrenal cortex analysis tests, restore your hormones to a good state, and make weight loss more effective.