WHAT ROLE DO HORMONES PLAY IN MALE WEIGHT GAIN?

Unwanted weight gain can be frustrating, especially for men who are eating well and exercising regularly. If you’re a male over the age of 40 and have noticed a significant change in your libido, weight, or general mood, you may have Low Testosterone. Not only does Low Testosterone increase weight gain, make it harder to lose weight, and boost body fat, it also sets off a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break.

Declining testosterone levels are a normal part of aging and about 40% of men over the age of 45 experience several symptoms associated with Low T, including:

• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Depressed mood
• Low libido
• Loss of bone density
• Loss of muscle mass and strength
• Unwanted weight gain

Types of hormone imbalance in men

Here are the four conditions that can affect weight gain and hormones in men:

1. Andropause
   Andropause, or male menopause, is a condition associated with the decrease of testosterone and an increase of cortisol. Cortisol is the primary stress hormone that, when elevated, can lead to abdominal weight gain. As a result, common symptoms of andropause include irritability, depression, muscle loss, and weight gain in the stomach. 
2. Adrenal fatigue
   Though adrenal fatigue is not an accepted medical diagnosis, it is a term applied to a collection of nonspecific symptoms like body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and digestive problems. It’s a process during which the body releases cortisol, encouraging weight gain in men around the midsection.
3. Hypothyroidism
   Hypothyroidism is a condition that commonly affects people over the age of 60. It occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t create and release enough thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, which slows down the metabolism. As a result, the body is unable to burn off calories as quickly, which increases the risk of unwanted weight gain.
4. Hyperthyroidism
   Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland overproduces the hormone thyroxine, which controls how much energy your body uses (the metabolic rate). While this condition may cause unintentional weight loss, treatments can often lead to a steady weight gain despite no changes in eating or exercise.

Three evidence-based ways to boost testosterone naturally

Testosterone helps men burn body fat and lose weight more efficiently, so when you have low testosterone, you’re more likely to gain weight faster and more easily. The good news is, there are several ways you can boost testosterone naturally, including:

• Regular strength training
  Lifting weights, bodyweight exercises, or calisthenics are the best exercises to support and even increase testosterone levels. Regular exercise can also help you decrease stress (and therefore cortisol levels) and lose body fat, which are large contributors to low-t.
• Eating well
  Prioritize proteins, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits, and minimally processed grains like quinoa, rice, and oats) to help balance blood sugars. High blood sugars increase your risk of insulin resistance, which can negatively impact testosterone levels.
• Decreasing stress (and cortisol)
  Cortisol (the stress hormone) and testosterone interact in a see-saw fashion, which means when one is high, the other is low. Lowering physical, emotional, and mental stress can positively impact testosterone levels. Try things like yoga, meditating, journaling, or jogging to help lower your cortisol levels.

While these methods will help to increase your testosterone levels naturally, often times it is difficult to naturally achieve testosterone levels to a substantial point where testosterone replacement therapy is no longer required. The most effective and manageable way to consistently maintain increased testosterone levels is through TRT at SynergenX.

Manage weight gain and hormones with TRT

If natural methods aren’t working, individualized testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can not only replenish your testosterone levels but also restore your body’s ability to lose weight when combined with moderate exercise. 

Do you want to know if testosterone replacement therapy is right for you? Call SynergenX at 888.219.7259 or fill out an online form to schedule an appointment. With a simple blood test, we can confirm whether your unwanted weight gain is related to a hormone imbalance. If it is, we’ll develop a highly personalized treatment program to rebalance your hormones to optimal levels. We want to help restore your sense of well-being, so you can feel better and finally lose those unwanted pounds.