Body 360: Estrogen levels in women and men can affect weight loss
Body 360 posts focus on a different anatomical or physiological aspect that will give readers a better understanding of the way the body works and how they can overcome related challenges.
2 minute read
Do you have any of the following symptoms?
- Bloating
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
- Feeling tired/lacking energy
- Trouble sleeping
You could have an abundance of estrogen that is dragging you down.
Estrogen, a naturally occurring hormone generally associated with women, is present in both sexes. Some estrogen is healthy, as it regulates reproductive function. However, too much estrogen can have damaging effects on overall health and wreak havoc on your health and fitness achievements.
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Top 3 Causes of High Estrogen and What You Can Do About It
1 – High Body Fat
Fat cells convert testosterone to estrogen, which means the body will naturally produce more estrogen than testosterone.
What You Can Do About It
Solution #1: Build Lean Mass. Use weight training to building muscle and get a more balanced body composition that is less prone to converting testosterone to estrogen.
Solution #2: Eat Well. Do your body a solid and eat non-processed fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and protein sources. Limit refined sugars, flours, and dairy. Foods high in fiber, B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and omega-3 fatty acids are great for combatting high estrogen levels. (Looking for more information on dieting to lower estrogen? Check out THIS article by the Poliquin Group.)
2 – Stress
Tipping the scales of your body’s hormonal balance, stress causes a lowering of progesterone (meaning your horomonal balance is now out-of-whack), in favour of Cortisol. Cortisol is what stores fat around your mid-section.
What You Can Do About It
Solution #1: Workout. Release dopamine to get happy and squash stress. Kill fat cells that are converting testosterone to estrogen. It’s a win-win. (Read more about the benefits of a workout HERE.)
Solution #2: Meditate. Take some time to clear your mind. Soak in a hot tub and let your brain relax. Take a yoga class and clear your psychic clutter. (Read more about creating a meditation routine HERE.)
Solution #3: Colour. You must have seen those colouring books for adults at Chapters over the holiday season. Sit down with some pencil crayons and take a moment to let your inner child play. (THIS article says colouring is the next-best thing to meditation.)
3 – Chemical Exposure
Plastics, pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones found in animal products can all mimic the effects of estrogen and have other nasty effects on the body. (READ MORE about chemicals and their effects on your body.)
What You Can Do About It
Solution #1: Move Away from BPAs. Select BPA-free materials for household goods, whenever possible. There are now stickers indicating if an item is BPA free—look for it when you shop.
Solution #2: Go Organic. While there is some controversy about organics and their certification bodies, shopping at local farms that are committed to sustainable, organic growing methods is a good, healthy bet. In Ontario, we have access to farmers markets, farm-based stores, and grocery stores that have local/organic sections. While the cost for organic may be higher than meat and produce grown with chemicals, you will be saving a lot of money by not purchasing processed and refined foods, avoiding takeout, and skipping most dairy products, which could balance your grocery budget and help justify the expense of organic goods. (CHECK OUT what the Mayo Clinic has to say about organics.)
Solution #3: Go Au Naturel. No, we don’t mean don your birthday suit. Opt for natural, organic fibers for clothing and linens, when you’re considering replacing something that has served its purpose. Synthetic fibers, while not all bad and not without benefits, could contain harmful compounds that could be hindering your health and fitness journey.
Have a fantastic day!!
Your Pursuit Training Team
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