Hormones diet and body composition
The three principal sex hormones, Oestradiol (E), Testosterone (T) and Progesterone (P) all interact with diet, metabolism and body composition. Ghrelin and Leptin moderate intake and insulin determines fat storage. Thyroid function regulates energy metabolism. Anyone with weight problems (too much or too little) may need hormone evaluation and/or treatment. Reduction in output of E & T post menopause or in 60+ men has adverse consequences that you may wish to counter.
‘Male’ and ‘female’ hormones
Although the effects of high doses of T are ‘masculinising in either sex, and high doses of E are similarly feminising, men and women have both hormones in their circulation and both hormones are critically important to both sexes.
So it is not correct to simplistically describe testosterone as a male hormone nor oestradiol as the female hormone. Progesterone, which is the product of the ovarian follicle after ovulation, is only seen in men as a by-product of other hormones. In women, it is involved in preparing the uterus for implantation of a fertilised egg or in triggering menstruation when pregnancy hasn’t occurred.
Impact of hormones on appetite
Appetite is mainly controlled by the hunger hormone ghrelin and the satiety (fullness) hormone leptin. However, E regulates nutritional balance in women by decreasing food intake and increasing energy expenditure. Thus, young women with abnormal cycles lacking the mid-cycle oestradiol peak (non-ovulatory cycles) and post-menopausal women whose E output has fallen, will have increased appetite and put on weight unless they take steps to alter food intake.
In contrast, T stimulates appetite in both sexes with a correspondingly higher impact in men due to higher levels. So, men with low T due to ‘age’ or cancer, whose weight may have fallen will benefit from T replacement. Progesterone is the cause of the ‘premenstrual munchies’ and the increased appetite in early pregnancy many women experience. Life stress and sleep deprivation increase adrenal cortisol output, stimulating both appetite and fat gain.
Effect of hormones on body composition
Weight issues
How much fat we store is regulated by insulin and sex hormones. More insulin is secreted, and therefore, more fat is stored when there is central body fat (your muffin top/beer belly) as the body becomes ‘insulin resistant’ and it takes more insulin to keep blood sugar within safe limits, and also when under stress (due to increased cortisol output), and when T levels are high in women (the opposite effect occurs in men). Notably, low E in women and low T in men increase fat storage.
Thyroid function should always be checked when weight is abnormal. Although most overweight individuals are not thyroid deficient, a small number are and have no other symptoms. Weight loss is often the first sign of an overactive thyroid.
Body composition
Think bone, muscle, fat, connective tissue and special situations (like the breasts and sex organs that most people know are under E and T control). All the structural tissues are influenced by both E and T and low E and low T cause tissue loss – weakened connective tissue, thinner bones, loss of muscle and cartilage. In this situation, body fat content also increases.
Restoring lost tissue can only be achieved by a correct balance of both E and T in both sexes. Progesterone is not an older age hormone except in women on HRT where the low doses used generally have minimal impact.
Effect of body composition on hormones
The main influencer is central body fat, which can throw several hormones off kilter. As body fat contains an enzyme that converts T to E, body fat (central fat in particular) can alter the E to T balance in either sex, disadvantageously.
As above, it also increases insulin resistance, which is the precursor of several dangerous conditions – high lipids, blood pressure, dementia and cardiovascular disease. Finally, increased fat mass stimulates growth factors that increase cancer risk and cancer growth rates.
Summary
A normal balance of oestradiol and testosterone is important for maintenance of structural elements and body fat control. When body fat increases it can have a harmful effect on insulin resistance and E to T balance. Increasing your HealthSpan means attention to your hormones alongside the other major considerations.
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