You may blame your weight loss or weight gain on your eating habits and lifestyle. But do you know that your hormones also play a part?
They affect your metabolism, appetite, and fat storage. In this blog post, we’ll examine just how this dance between your hormones and your bodily process impacts weight loss and gain.
We’ll also share how Saxenda, which was approved for medical use in Singapore recently, can be an effective weight loss treatment.
Ghrelin hormone is primarily responsible for sending hunger signals to the brain. When the stomach is empty, ghrelin levels spike, signalling to the brain that it’s time to eat while prompting sensations of hunger and motivating you to seek food.
Various factors influence ghrelin production and release, including the time of day, meal patterns, and nutritional status. Ghrelin levels tend to rise before meals and decrease after eating. These changes in ghrelin suggest that it helps initiate the desire to eat and subsequently declines as the body receives food and energy.
Ghrelin stimulates appetite and promotes food intake. It acts on the hypothalamus, a brain region involved in appetite regulation, by binding to specific receptors. This interaction triggers the release of a neurotransmitter that stimulates appetite and enhances the pleasure associated with eating. Ghrelin also affects brain areas related to reward and motivation, further driving our desire to consume food.
Ghrelin not only influences appetite but also plays a role in meal initiation. It can enhance the anticipation of food and the enjoyment of eating. Ghrelin levels are typically higher before a meal and decrease after food intake, contributing to a sense of satisfaction and reduced desire to eat.
Ghrelin is affected by things like food intake, sleep, stress, and other hormones. When ghrelin levels are high, it can make us feel hungry and crave calorie-rich foods. Elevated ghrelin levels may lead to weight gain if you keep increasing your food intake.
Leptin is a hormone fat cells produce that regulates appetite and energy balance. This “satiety hormone” helps to communicate the body’s energy status to the brain.
Leptin signals your body’s energy stores to the brain. As fat cells increase in size and number, they release more leptin into the bloodstream. Elevated leptin levels then signal the brain to indicate sufficient energy available.
Leptin functions as an appetite suppressant by reducing hunger and increasing feelings of satiety. When high leptin levels signal to the brain that the body has enough energy reserves, it lowers appetite and reduces the desire to eat. Optimal leptin levels help to prevent overeating and maintain a healthy body weight.
Leptin works in a feedback loop to regulate appetite. As fat cells release leptin, it acts on receptors in the brain, inhibiting the release of appetite-stimulating hormones while promoting the release of appetite-suppressing hormones. This intricate hormonal network helps to maintain a balance in energy intake and expenditure.
In some cases, individuals may develop leptin resistance. Leptin resistance occurs when the brain becomes less responsive to leptin signals, leading to a reduced ability to regulate appetite. When this happens, your hunger can increase, causing you to overeat and possibly gain weight.
Leptin resistance is commonly associated with obesity and can be influenced by genetics, chronic inflammation, and hormonal imbalances.
Also known as the stress hormone. During periods of stress, cortisol levels spike. This prepares our bodies for a “fight or flight” response, which requires lots of energy. Since energy is used up, our body will need to replenish energy, which is why cortisol also increases our cravings for fatty and sugary foods. The more our body is exposed to cortisol, the more likely we are to over-indulge in unhealthy foods which leads to unhealthy weight gain.
Managing proper hormone regulation is essential for both weight loss and your overall health and well-being. If you think a hormonal imbalance is causing your weight gain, consider these tips to help your hormonal health.
1. Balanced Diet
Eat a nutritious diet of unprocessed foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid excessive sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy fats, as they can disrupt hormone levels.
2. Regular Exercise
Engage in regular physical activity to support hormone regulation and weight management. Both cardiovascular exercise and strength training can be beneficial.
3. Stress Management
Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in enjoyable activities. Chronic stress can disrupt hormone levels, so finding healthy ways to manage stress is crucial.
4. Adequate Sleep
Prioritise quality sleep and aim for 7-9 hours per night. Sleep deprivation can affect hormone balance, including those related to appetite and metabolism.
5. Limit Exposure to Toxins
Reduce exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, chemicals, and endocrine-disrupting substances in some plastics and household products.
6. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Strive for a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Excess body weight can impact hormone levels, particularly those involved in metabolism and insulin regulation.
7. Regular Medical Check-ups
Visit your healthcare provider regularly for check-ups and screenings. They can assess your hormone levels and provide appropriate guidance.
We help clients with obesity. One of our weight loss treatments is Saxenda, a weight loss injection approved for obesity treatment in Singapore.
Saxenda, which is also known as liraglutide, specifically targets hormones involved in weight management. It helps regulate insulin and glucagon secretion, promoting satiety and reducing appetite. Here’s how Saxenda works:
We use Saxenda as part of a comprehensive weight loss treatment program that includes a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioural changes.
The duration of Saxenda treatment varies and is determined by your doctor. They will assess if the medication is suitable for you and if it’s producing the desired results. Some individuals may benefit from using it for several weeks to achieve their weight loss targets, while others may require longer treatment to maintain their weight loss and prevent weight regain.
If you show a 5% weight loss with a controlled diet and exercise within 12 weeks, continuing the treatment may be an option. Remember to follow your doctor’s advice for the best outcome.
Saxenda should not be used by individuals with certain conditions or health profiles.
If you have any of these conditions, consult your doctor about alternative weight loss options that may be more suitable for you.
Before starting Saxenda, it’s essential to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. They can help you decide if Saxenda is the right option for you. Saxenda can have side effects which are mild and usually go away on their own. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, headache, dizziness, fatigue, abdominal pain, indigestion, and injection site reactions.
Serious side effects with Saxenda are rare. These include pancreatitis , gallbladder problems, low blood sugar, kidney problems, depression and suicidal behaviour.
If you experience any of these side effects, stop using Saxenda and seek immediate medical attention.
The amount of weight you can lose on Saxenda varies from person to person. Studies showed significant weight loss in participants who were on Saxenda, with 62.3% of them losing at least 5% of their weight at an average of eight weeks.
A few factors that can affect how much weight you lose on Saxenda, including:
Saxenda is a prescription medicine. You can only get it from a qualified medical practitioner.
SL Aesthetic Clinic provides Saxenda as a part of our comprehensive weight management solutions. Our doctors prescribe it as a daily injection to help obese individuals lose weight, while also recommending diet and exercise regimes that will help them keep the weight off.
Book a consultation today to see if Saxenda fits your health profile.
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