Megan Foreman, MSN, RN, FNP-C

Oh, To Be Young Again!

Or at least to have our metabolisms function as well as they used to. In our 20s, some of us could live on pizza, donuts, and every other kind of junk food without gaining weight. Others of us had to be a little more mindful about what we ate, but we were young, healthy, and vigorous, so we were very active, burning off the calories we consumed. As we age, our bodies inevitably change. Our hormones change and our energy level is impacted by life stress and more demands, so we may exercise less.

Hormones and Weight Loss

As we age, losing weight becomes increasingly challenging. One of the primary reasons for this is the intricate interplay of hormones within our bodies. Hormones, the chemical messengers that regulate many of our bodily functions, play a pivotal role in metabolism, appetite, and fat distribution. Understanding how these hormones affect weight loss can help us devise more effective strategies to maintain a healthy weight as we get older.

How Specific Hormones Impact Weight

Hormones such as insulin, cortisol, leptin, ghrelin, estrogen, and testosterone significantly influence how our bodies manage weight. Each of these hormones has a specific role in regulating hunger, fat storage, and energy expenditure.

•  Insulin: Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels. As we age, our cells can become less responsive to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. This can lead to higher levels of insulin in the blood, promoting fat storage and making it harder to lose weight.
• Cortisol: Known as the stress hormone, cortisol levels can increase with age, particularly if we experience chronic stress. Elevated cortisol can lead to an increase in appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods, and it also encourages the body to store fat, particularly around the abdomen.
• Leptin and Ghrelin: Leptin is the hormone that signals satiety, telling us when we’ve had enough to eat, while ghrelin stimulates appetite. As we age, leptin levels can decrease, and ghrelin levels can increase, leading to a heightened feeling of hunger and a diminished feeling of fullness, which can contribute to weight gain.
• Estrogen and Testosterone: These sex hormones also play crucial roles in weight management. In women, estrogen levels drop significantly during menopause, which is associated with a decrease in metabolic rate and an increase in abdominal fat. Men experience a gradual decline in testosterone levels with age, which can lead to a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in body fat.
• Thyroid: Thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolic rate, can also become imbalanced as we age. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is more common in older adults and can contribute to weight gain by slowing down metabolism.
• Clearly weight: the inability to successfully lose it and the tendency to easily gain it – is impacted by hormones, which are impacted by age. To successfully manage weight, one’s hormones must be balanced.

Lyons Health & Wellness

At Lyons Health & Wellness, we ascribe to traditional western medicine and integrative medicine practices to help those seeking it to balance their hormones and support weight loss regardless of their age. We can help you develop a weight loss program that works for you, including balancing your hormones if needed. We’re here to help you live healthily and well!