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The body: a map of hormones? -

Did you know that, sometimes, it's possible to tell what's going on with your hormones, simply by looking at how your weight is distributed?

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The body: a map of hormones? -

A professionally trained eye can pick up on these weight-distribution cues, but, of course, it's necessary to get levels of your hormones checked to confirm.

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The body: a map of hormones? -

There are four different types of hormonal body shapes, each one corresponding to an organ in the body: adrenal, thyroid, liver, and ovary.

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Adrenal body type -

Weight carried around the middle, combined with a round, bloated face, is a sign of excess stress  putting pressure on the adrenals.

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Adrenal body type -

Excess stress causes the adrenals to produce more cortisol. When there's an excess of this hormone in the body, it leads to back fat and weight gain around the middle.

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Fight or flight -

Adrenal types might have been going too hard at work for too long, and are close to burning out. The activation of fight or flight mode kicks the adrenals into action.

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Mold -

Living in a moldy house can also mess with the body's hormones. Mold exposure can upregulate or downregulate cortisol production.

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What to do: have a gratitude practice -

Stress hormones like cortisol are 23% lower in grateful people. This is probably because gratitude can inhibit the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and lower cortisol levels. Start a gratitude journal to help you get your stress hormones under control.

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Remove toxins from your home -

Reducing exposure to toxins in the home could also help. Make sure to remove dangerous mold in your living space, and use as few chemicals as possible.

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Take magnesium -

Magnesium deficiency is common, as magnesium is not present in all foods and, where it is, its bioavailability varies. Approximately 30% to 40% of the dietary magnesium consumed is typically absorbed by the body.

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Sleep -

Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Getting enough sleep will reduce the burden on the adrenals, which release cortisol when you're sleep deprived.

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Don't restrict calories -

Restricting calories sends your body into a state of panic. Instead, choose nourishing foods and eat when you feel hungry.

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Engage in moderate exercise -

Exercise puts good stress on the body, but too much high intensity exercise can upset the hormone balance. Mix up your fitness routines and make time for gentle and low intensity workouts to help balance your cortisol levels.

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Eat low carb -

Cortisol production has been linked to insulin resistance in some studies. Cutting down on carbs (but not calories) will help improve insulin resistance, and potentially reduce cortisol production, too.

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Thyroid body type -

If your thyroid is underactive, it makes it difficult to burn fat. This body type experiences extra weight all over (as opposed to a specific area of the body).

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Thyroid body type -

The thyroid's hormones turn on the fat burning engines in the body. If you're at a safe, healthy weight, it's unlikely you have a problem. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) causes weight loss, and difficulty maintaining a healthy weight.

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Yo-yo weight -

If underactive, you might slowly experience weight gain over time, or constant yo-yoing between one weight and another, without diet and exercise accounting for it.

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Carb cravings -

People with an underactive thyroid will crave carbohydrates, when your cells can't keep up and the body wants quick energy.

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Symptoms -

Thinning hair, constantly feeling cold, dry skin, tiredness no matter how much sleep you get, and fluid retention, on top of excess weight gain, are all signs of underactive thyroid.

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Contact your doctor/healthcare provider -

If you think your thyroid might be underactive, contact your healthcare provider, who can run tests to confirm and rule out any other potential issues.

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Gentle movement, nutritious food -

Thyroid body types should stay away from extreme diet and exercise routines, which can do more harm than good. Gentle movement and a nutritious diet should accompany any medication your healthcare provider prescribes.

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Liver body type -

A swollen belly, resembling the last stages of pregnancy—while the rest of the body is not overweight—can affect men or women.

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Liver body type -

This kind of weight distribution is indicative of an overloaded liver. When pinched, it doesn't feel like fat. That's because when the liver is stressed, it releases fluid that accumulates in the peritoneal cavity.

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Cut out alcohol -

When an abdomen protrudes, it's a sign the liver is struggling to break down excess alcohol, among other things. Cut the booze out completely, and see if it makes a difference to the fluid retention—it's called a "beer belly" for a reason!

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Eliminate processed food -

Chemicals and preservatives are also broken down in the liver. Eliminating processed foods will help reduce the burden on the organ.

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Diuretic, liver-supporting herbs -

Diuretic herbal teas and supplements can help flush out excess fluid. Dandelion, nettle, and burdock can help, but make sure they don't interact with any existing medications you're taking.

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Inflammation -

A liver under pressure can cause a lot of inflammation, which can lead to a host of diseases. Don't ignore the issue—see your healthcare provider to get to the root of it.

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Ovary body type -

If you carry extra weight on your hips and thighs, it's a sign the body has too much estrogen. This can occur in men and women, for a range of reasons: sluggish liver, perimenopause, and more.

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Ovary body type -

The contraceptive pill—a type of hormonal birth control—can exacerbate the problem, or be a contributing factor after long-term use.

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Ovary body type -

Ovary body types can struggle with acne, PMS, breast tenderness, and mood problems. In men, it can cause gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue), emotional outbursts, and acne.

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Get your hormone levels checked -

Get your hormone levels checked out with a visit to your healthcare provider, to see if high estrogen is what's causing your weight gain. Get advice if you need to come off birth control.

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Eat cruciferous, leafy greens -

Fiber helps keep digestion moving, encouraging elimination. This is how the body gets rid of excess estrogen. Cruciferous vegetables are some of the best you can eat, and have been shown to help balance estrogen levels.

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Sauna -

While a sauna by itself doesn't detox the body, it helps facilitate the excretion of toxins through sweat via the skin.

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Resistance training -

It takes time to lose weight when your estrogen is out of balance, but building up strength with resistance training can help.

Sources: (Dave Asprey) (Prevention) (Better Health Channel) (Medical News Today) (Healthline)

See also: What are adaptogens, and can they truly balance female hormones?

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