Posted in Category : Women's Health | May 12, 2009

Hormone Imbalance Weight Gain

Hormone imbalances, especially in women, can cause several problems like hot flashes, mood swings and sudden weight gain. Weight gain is a particularly common occurrence in menopausal women, as during this period the eve of the female hormone estrogen in the body declines sharply. The level of androgen in the body also increases during this period, which results in the accumulation of fat mostly around the abdomen. These changes affect the metabolic rate and may lead to weight gain. In its attempt to adjust with the fluctuations in the level of hormones, the body stores more fatty cells leading to weight gain. The symptoms of menopause also often cause a lot of stress in women, which further causes weight gain.

There are a few home remedies that you may follow to counter weight gain due to hormonal imbalances. The most important and effective natural means of controlling body weight is to exercise regularly. Concentrate on exercises that keep the abdominal muscles firm, as this is the region that is most prone to weight gain. Jogging and swimming are good options, as they increase blood circulation in the body, regulate the metabolic rate and generally keep the mind free from stress. Also, cut down on your intake of food that is rich in saturated oils, such as artificially sweetened snacks and beverages, carbonated drinks, meat based products and alcoholic drinks. Eat plenty of fruits and green, leafy vegetables as these supply the body with essential minerals and vitamins that relieve many of the symptoms of hormonal changes. You should also include soybean, flax seeds and tofu in your diet, as they contain a natural chemical called phytoestrogen that has properties similar to the hormone estrogen. This helps regulate weight gain. Often, weight gain occurs because the body cells retain too much water as a result of dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day in order to avoid the effects of fluid retention in the body. Besides these general health and dietary measures, you may also find a few remedies useful. In a glass of lukewarm water, mix a teaspoon of honey and the juice of a fresh lemon and drink this solution on an empty stomach every morning. This is a very popular way of weight control. Also, eat a couple of tomatoes at breakfast every morning as this helps in reducing body weight. Consuming a few fresh curry leaves every morning is also highly effective in weight control.

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