What’s to blame for the weight gain?

What’s really causing your weight gain?

It’s a New Year, and many of us have set great intentions to lose weight, get healthy and start working out more! But…optimism can quickly turn into a depressing battle to stick to a solid weight loss plan. We are inundated with diet and work out plans, that promise a lot but end up making us more sick in the end! The no carbs, no fat, high protein diets are not only highly unbalanced but very unhealthy. It’s no surprise fad diets actually end up causing more issues than contribute to wellness.

We should be asking ourselves…what’s really causing the weight gain?

There are many factors that can contribute to weight gain and inability to lose weight, such as; poor diet, sluggish metabolism, compromised digestive system and frequency of exercise. However, one of the most common and typically overlooked root cause of weight loss issues are linked to hormonal imbalances.

We all secrete a hormone called cortisol which is critical for many actions in the body. It is important for the maintenance of blood pressure and stimulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Normally, cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands in a pattern called a diurnal variation, meaning that levels of cortisol in the bloodstream vary depending upon the time of day. However, this natural pattern can be disrupted when cortisol is secreted in excess during times of psychological stress and anxiety. The disruption of the secretion pattern can not only lead to weight gain, but if not addressed properly, it can cause adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalances, digestive dysfunction and thyroid disorders. High levels of cortisol tends to cause fat deposition in the abdominal area which can not only frustrating, but can also lead to more severe illnesses.

At Optimal Health Family Chiropractic & Wellness Center, we offer laboratory testing that has been designed to identify your cortisol pattern at 4 specific points throughout the day. This enables our Registered Holistic Nutritionist to devise a clear nutritional plan to support your hormonal function and stimulate weight loss through dietary recommendations. Book your appointment today!