You’re always on a diet, you barely eat anything. Or you work out until your biceps ache and your face turns blue. But nothing seems to work. Weight loss used to be so easy for you, but now even losing a few pounds is a battle you can’t seem to win. Like many women, she doesn’t know what to do. But your inability to control your weight may be due to something you never thought about; your hormones The following hormones can make the difference between losing and gaining weight

leptin

Leptin is a hormone that is produced in fat cells. It sends a message to your brain that tells you that you are hungry or full. It works pretty well when it’s in balance, but if it’s not, you can overeat and gain weight. Prolonged leptin imbalance can result in leptin resistance. People with leptin resistance will feel hungry even though they have eaten a full meal. But there are ways to avoid leptin resistance. Here are some:

• Avoid leptin resistant foods. This means staying away from foods that contain trans fats and processed foods. A long-term diet of these types of foods can eventually lead to leptin resistance.
• Avoid sugar. Sugar can increase leptin levels and make you feel hungry when you’re not.
• Exercise. Regular exercise increases both your energy and metabolism.

ghrelin

Ghrelin like leptin controls appetite. When the stomach is empty, it releases ghrelin into the bloodstream. So the brain gets a message that it’s time to eat. The more of this hormone in your bloodstream, the more you’ll want to eat. The less, the more satisfied you will feel. In many overweight people, this hormone is out of sync with the brain and they tend to eat when they are not hungry. There are ways to bring Ghrelin back into balance:

• Eat more protein. Protein tends to make your stomach feel full. It can prevent Ghrelin from sending the wrong message to the brain. If you are vegan don’t worry. The protein source can be of plant or animal origin.
• Avoid foods that contain high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup can wreak havoc on your hormones. Studies have shown that this and other forms of sugar are one of the main causes of weight gain.

estrogen

Have you ever heard women talk about gaining weight when they started going through menopause? Well, estrogen is likely the culprit. Estrogen is a hormone that is produced in the ovaries. When estrogen is in balance, the optimal amount of fat is stored to keep the reproductive organs functioning. But, when there is an estrogen imbalance, such as when a woman goes through menopause, too much fat is stored and weight gain can occur.

For women who want to replace the estrogen they lost during menopause, there are a few options:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT. Your doctor may prescribe estrogen to replace the amount lost through menopause.
• Avoid BPA. BPA is an endocrine disrupting chemical. The endocrine system produces hormones that regulate metabolism. When BPA gets into your system, it can interfere with how these hormones work. BPA can be found in plastic food containers and water bottles. Reduce your exposure by using paper or glass containers to microwave food. Also, opt for BPA-free reusable water containers instead of plastic bottles.
• Avoid phthalates. Phthalates are also endocrine disruptors. These chemicals are found in many man-made fragrances. Reduce the use of fragranced cosmetics, soaps or detergents. Try fragrance-free products instead.