subject: Conquer Hunger And Hormones To Lose Weight [print this page] Maintaining weight loss success is a continuing battle for many. Now, a recent paper printed in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that some of this battle could be because of hormones.
Similar to cars, our bodies have a gauge that tells us when we need to refuel or take in calories (the bodys fuel source derived from the foods we eat).This gauge is run by hormones including insulin, leptin and ghrelin. Combined they tell us when and how much to eat.
In the study, volunteers were placed on a strict diet of 500 to 550 calories per day, which led them to lose 10 percent of their body weight. One year later, even with counseling and written advice on how to maintain their weight loss, the participants had regained an average of 12 pounds.
So, what was happening with hormone levels during this time?
As study participants lost weight, their hormone levels began to change in a way that boosts hunger.
Leptin which regulates metabolism and suppresses the appetite dropped by two-thirds in participants.
Ghrelin which boosts hunger increased.
One year after finishing the diet, these levels of hormones remained changed.
With a change in hormone levels, the participants had a stronger appetite one year after the diet than they did before beginning it.
The study also determined that the metabolic rate in dieters remained low when measured one year later. With a low metabolic rate, the body holds onto calories rather than burning them, making it even more difficult to maintain weight.
With these results, it could be easy to get discouraged. However, there is good news! Hunger-busting habits can become integrated into your new lifestyle. Here are some recommendations on how to beat hunger while working to reach or maintain your weight goals:
Eat frequently. Make sure you are eating healthy snacks between meals or medical food shakes if using these as meal replacements.
Beware of emotional eating. Identify non-food activities to keep your mind off of food.
Take a brisk walk instead of heading to the kitchen. Three to five minutes of vigorous movement will charge you up and decrease feelings of hunger.
At Draelos Metabolic Center, our weight loss experts have a wealth of expertise that can assist you in reaching your health and weight loss goals. If hunger remains a challenge to your weight loss success or if you are looking for more weight loss tips, find out more at our Oklahoma Weight Loss site.
