When on a weight loss journey, you need to calculate so many factors! Macro balance, fat intake, carb quality, energy output, thyroid status, stress levels, nutrient deficiencies, toxic accumulation, methylation status…. and that’s just SOME points!
No doubt, working with people skilled and experienced in solving your problem is the key to move through particularly stubborn weight issues, especially if the standard approach to weight loss hasn’t worked for you.
If your hormones are out of balance, it can take some pretty savvy intervention to correct, way beyond calorie restriction and increase in exercise.
If this is you, book a call to discuss how we can help!
In this article:
- Check Your Symptoms
- Top 3 EFFECTIVE Botanicals to help with weight loss
What is at the core of a stalled metabolism?
There is actually a lot of things that can stall weight loss, and having a sub-optimal thyroid is at the top of the reasons. If you have any of these symptoms, I recommend getting a functional thyroid test done that measures TSH, fT4, fT3, rT3, thyroid antibodies, and SHBG.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Unexplained weight gain
- Sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Muscle aches and pains
- Hair loss, brittle nails
- Trouble breathing
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Palpitations
- Eyebrow and/or eyelash thinning
Fat cell signaling
When fat loss is not happening, there is usually an issue with fat cell signaling and leptin resistance. This can occur due to fatty acid imbalance, low DHEA (an adrenal hormone), inflammation, low thermal body temperature, and a slow metabolism.
Other factors can be ghrelin and leptin’s influence on hunger, which can be triggered from poor sleep quality.
Neurotransmitter balance is important in people struggling with sleep and mood issues, and a functional approach is to discover the driving factor behind the neurotransmitter imbalance, and intervene as appropriate to restore health and balance. Sleep issues can stem from a large variety of causes, from sleep apnea, to zinc deficiency, 5HTP deficiency, magnesium deficiency, or environmental factors.
These are just recurring themes we see in our patients, so you can see why some people simply can’t self correct a weight problem.
Top 3 Stimulating Botanicals for Better Weight Loss
In all honesty, these suggestions will NOT hit the sides of a hormone imbalance alone. But what they will do is promote thermogenesis.
Thermogenesis can be achieved in several ways, which I will list below. Thermogenesis can promote weight loss because it increases your body’s calorie burn. Ideally you would incorporate all the suggestions to maximise your thermogenesis as a part of your weight loss program.
- Green Tea – catechins in green, white and oolong tea have a thermogenic response in the body, so enjoy 1-3 cups a day.
- Chili – capsaicins in red chili peppers can promote weight loss by temporarily increasing thermogenesis in your body. Only use if appropriate for you.
- Cocao – increases thermogenesis plus has added health properties such as a good source of antioxidants, is high in magnesium, and stabilises blood sugar.
Others Tips to BOOST Thermogenesis
Exercise – During exercise, your muscle cells burn calories in order to provide energy for muscle contraction.
Environment – Your body temperature is strictly regulated by the hypothalamus in your brain. When your body temperature drops, your muscles contract. Muscle contractions and shivering help to warm the body. Thus, going to a cold climate can boost your metabolism through thermogenesis. Cold showers, or cycling between a sauna and a cold tub have been used for ages to improve health and vitality.
If you have not had success losing weight, struggle with fatigue, or have the dreaded ‘brain-fog‘ then you probably have a hormone imbalance. Book a call to see if our clinic can help revive your best you!
Check out Carols Google review!
“After being diagnosed with an under active thyroid and hormone issues, I now feel alive and healthy after following my diet and medication plan. No more feeling as if I haven’t been asleep when I wake in the morning or slumping on the lounge when I get home from work. I have lots of energy throughout the day and I don’t crave sugar or coffee anymore. A bonus of weight loss by sticking my plan has increased my incentive to stay on track. I am very happy to recommend this clinic as a way to improve your health and wellbeing.”
Get ALL the answers to your weight loss questions! Feel free to book a call with one of our naturopaths now…
