Hormone imbalance is one of the most common causes of weight gain, or inability to lose weight. There are several supplements that can help with balancing the hormones that make weight loss difficult.
If you have signs of hormonal weight gain, you’ll want to check with a health care professional about supplementation. I can help you decipher what will suit you and your body chemistry best.
Magnesium
Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, including reduced mood swings, less anxiety, improved energy and better sleep are reduced when magnesium intake is sufficient. By reducing these symptoms, magnesium helps you to get back to your ideal weight.
Magnesium also helps to reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance which can contribute to weight gain.
Selenium
Selenium is a mineral that is often overlooked but it plays an important role in hormone health and weight loss. Some of the benefits of selenium include:
Thyroid health. A deficiency in selenium can contribute to Hashimoto’s disease, a type of autoimmune hypothyroidism.
Reduces inflammation and improves immune function
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has several important functions. It is most well known for the role played in bone health through its interaction with calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. But it also has an important role in hormone balance. Vitamin D helps to keep estrogen and progesterone balanced. It also helps with blood sugar balance. People with low vitamin D levels also have a higher risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disorders.
Your body will produce vitamin D from sunlight and it is also present in foods like fatty fish and egg yolks. However, supplementation with vitamin D is likely necessary if you live in a country far from the equator, spend most of your time indoors or have darker skin.
Ashwagandha
One significant cause of weight gain is chronic stress. It can contribute to weight gain by causing hormone imbalances, or by causing stress eating. Ashwagandha helps to control stress and anxiety so is helpful in weight management for people who suffer from chronic stress.
Ashwagandha may not be safe for some individuals so check with a health professional before using this supplement.
Omega 3 supplements
Omega 3 supplements have several benefits related to hormone health and weight loss. Here are some of these benefits:
Omega 3’s may improve sleep and could benefit the hormone melatonin
Promotes fat loss and helps to manage diabetes
Helps to reduce insulin resistance
Helps to activate thyroid hormones and boost metabolism
They have mental health benefits and people with adequate omega-3 levels have lower levels of depression and anxiety
Inflammation may be reduced by having adequate levels of omega-3s
They may also help reduce gut inflammation and improve gut diversity
However some recent studies have shown that over the counter fish oil tablets may increase the risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation. High doses of omega 3s can also increase the risk of bleeding, especially in individuals taking blood thinning medication.
Probiotics
A healthy gut microbiome is important for hormone health and for weight loss. And probiotics help improve gut health and hormone health. Probiotics help to improve your gut microbiome which has these benefits:
Treat gut health issues like irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, and Crohn’s disease
Reduce inflammation in the gut
Boost immunity
Improve mental health and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol
May lower leptin levels
May improve balance of reproductive hormones including detox of estrogens
Weight management is a combined benefit of these effects
It is important to note that different probiotics have different effects, so it’s better to have a health professional prescribe the one that is right for you.
Curcumin
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric may have a role in weight loss. Some studies have shown that people who eat turmeric or take curcumin supplements are more likely to lose weight. Here are some of the benefits of curcumin:
Reduces inflammation
Improves GLP1 regulation
Decreases insulin resistance
Increased levels of adiponectin, a hormone that regulates metabolism
Curcumin may cause some adverse side effects so check with a health professional before taking it in supplement form.
Iodine
Iodine is necessary to keep your thyroid functioning properly. Your thyroid hormone is responsible for controlling your metabolism and weight loss is difficult when you suffer from hypothyroidism.
Iodine can be found in iodized salt, seafood and seaweed. Iodine deficiencies are rare, but are increasing as people get more salt from processed foods that don’t have added iodine.
Be careful with adding an iodine supplement, unless you have been diagnosed as deficient. Most cases of hypothyroidism have other causes and excess iodine can actually cause hypothyroidism
What can you do
The primary focus in your weight loss plan should be your diet and lifestyle. Once this is in order, a supplement plan can be added for increased benefits. Supplements should be prescribed by a health professional to ensure that you have the best quality supplements without impurities. They can also make sure that the supplements are right for you and your unique body.
How I can help
I work with my clients to come up with a complete plan that includes diet, lifestyle and supplement recommendations tailored for your unique body chemistry. I coach you through making the necessary changes and troubleshooting your life so you can improve your health and get the body of your dreams.
Warm wishes,
Vicki Witt | Clinical Nutritionist | Holistic Coach | Reiki Master | Certified LEAP allergy therapist Over 25 years of successfully helping you achieve optimal health and weight loss 🍏| www.vickiwittweightloss.com
About Vicki:
Vicki Witt is a Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Coach, and Reiki Master. She has been practicing over 25 years and specializes in holistically customizing diet and lifestyle plans to each individual for weight loss and hormonal control. Her clientele often report they feel the best they have ever felt and wish they had started sooner. One of the USA and Australia's top Nutritionists, she has won multiple awards for her services in the industry.
Certified and Registered Nutritionist
Comments