Are your Male Hormones the Reason you are Not Losing Fat?

When you're trying to lose fat, the most important thing is to balance the calories you eat with the calories you burn, no matter your genes, metabolism, or the type of food you eat. 

However, certain factors can make losing fat harder.

These factors include hormones like testosterone, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and cortisol. 

Even small imbalances in these hormones can affect how your body burns calories and stores fat. But before we get into why that happens, let's go over the basics of calorie balance again.

Looking to monitor your hormonal balance? Consider a male hormone test kit to know your testosterone levels and other key hormones affecting fat metabolism.

The Caloric Balance Equation:

It's simple: if you eat fewer calories than your body burns, you'll lose fat. If you eat more calories than you burn, you'll gain fat.

Think of it this way: if you stop eating altogether, you'll lose fat no matter what your hormones are doing. 

Even if you have a slow metabolism and tend to gain weight easily, you'll still lose fat if you're truly eating fewer calories than you burn.

But there's a point where things change. This maintenance value, which is around 2,500 calories on average for men, isn't fixed and varies from person to person. 

It's influenced by things like how active you are, your height, weight, age, and metabolism. 

For example, a short and slim person working in an office might only need 2,000 calories to stay the same weight, while a tall, muscular person might need closer to 5,000 calories. 

It's important to know this because your maintenance calories might be different from what you expect.

What you eat matters too?

If you eat 2,500 calories of chips and ice cream, it'll have a different effect than eating 2,500 calories of mixed vegetables. 

The veggies have more fiber, so your body absorbs less of them directly. Plus, they contain more essential nutrients that keep you healthy.

So, where do hormones come in?

Hormones affect your body composition and metabolism. An imbalance can lower your maintenance value, making it harder to lose fat. 

Hormones can also change your eating habits by affecting your appetite and mood. But which hormones are the most important?

Hormones that Affect Appetite and Mood

Testosterone:

Testosterone is a hormone mainly found in men, and it plays a big role in fat loss. When testosterone levels are low, it can lead to a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in body fat. It can also affect your mood and energy levels, which might make you more prone to unhealthy eating habits.

Making lifestyle changes like exercising regularly can help boost your testosterone levels naturally.

Note: Low testosterone can make fat loss harder, but it's not impossible. Adopting healthy habits can help you lose weight and improve testosterone levels.

Cortisol:

When you're stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol, which can affect your appetite and mood. 

Chronic stress can lead to various health issues like high blood pressure, insomnia, and depression. Cortisol can also increase cravings for high-calorie foods, leading to weight gain.

Reducing stress is essential for overall health and weight management. 

Activities like regular exercise, yoga, or meditation can help lower stress levels. 

Note: Managing stress through activities like exercise and relaxation techniques can help reduce the effects of cortisol on fat loss.

Thyroid Hormones:

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, which can impact your weight. An underactive thyroid, often more common in women over 50, can lead to weight gain. 

Treatment with medication or surgery can help manage thyroid conditions, leading to improvements in weight with a healthy lifestyle.

Note: Thyroid problems are rare in men but can cause weight changes. Consult a doctor if you're worried.

Insulin:

Insulin helps control blood sugar levels and promotes fat storage. 

Being overweight or inactive increases the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Losing weight can help improve insulin resistance and prevent diabetes.

You can monitor your blood sugar levels with Diabetes (HbA1c) Blood Test to assess your risk of diabetes.

Note: While hormones like insulin can affect fat storage, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine is crucial for fat loss.

Overall, while hormone imbalances can make fat loss more challenging, it's still possible with the right lifestyle changes.