Bioidentical Hormones and Weight Loss
There is a lot of fear and misunderstanding about hormones and in particular supplementing with certain hormones. We are beginning this article with a bold statement. MANY WEIGHT ISSUES CAN BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO HORMONE IMBALANCE ISSUES…
As far as the connection between bioidentical hormones and weight loss, we should start with definitions of both bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones. Decades ago, a protocol and study called the Women Health Initiative was conducted with thousands of women using what we will refer to simply as “synthetic hormones”. To go into further explanations of the various types of synthetic hormones is beyond the intent of this article. Suffice it to say, synthetic hormones react very differently in the body as compared to the body’s own natural hormone secretion process. The results of the Women’s Health Initiative were disastrous. The study was stopped prematurely due to an alarming incidence of participants getting breast cancers, strokes and other diseases including heart trouble. This article is a very short summary.
Synthetic hormones and bioidentical hormones are molecularly very different and have a very different effect biologically. In the above cited study, the pharmaceutical drug Progestin, which is a synthetic progesterone, was used and was problematic.
What is Progestin? It is a synthetic hormone derived from horse urine. It behaves very differently than the body’s own hormones. Molecularly it is very different as well.
Bioidentical hormones are identical in every respect to what the body makes. Most bioidentical progesterone is created through diosgenin, a natural process where certain elements of yams or soy are converted into progesterone. And it’s been used for many years now with amazing results. The Endocrine Society defines bioidentical hormones as “compounds that have exactly the same chemical and molecular structure as hormones that are produced in the human body.”
Hormonal balance for women is achieved when the two hormones, progesterone, and estrogen, are at adequate levels. These levels will fluctuate within normal ranges during our monthly cycle. Yet, when estrogen levels become chronically too high, or progesterone gets chronically too low, one of the effects is an increase in body weight. Add to it when progesterone is low, the liver produces too much of a protein called Thyroid Binding Globulin (TBG). This is a condition called Hypothyroidism and leads to excess body weight. Heap on one more issue; estrogen dominance leads to the secretion of too much insulin. Besides the sugar craving this causes, the body tends to store this insulin and fat cells that surround them.
As we age, both progesterone and estrogen overall levels start to decrease. Unfortunately, progesterone usually always decreases quicker, leading to estrogen dominance. Supplementing with a bioidentical progesterone can counter this imbalance and by virtue of the body’s returning to a more hormone balanced state, can rid itself of excess fat more readily.
The positive connection between supplementing with bioidentical hormones and weight loss is certainly something worth researching. Bioidentical progesterone can safely and effectively counter estrogen dominance. Saliva testing can determine the levels of each hormone and help determine if supplementing with bioidentical progesterone will make sense.
Although our company formulates and retails a certified organic hormone balancing cream with progesterone and CBD, we have a very strong relationship with the nation’s preeminent hormone testing laboratory.
Just enter your information below to get more information and a one time offer for a 25% discount on the testing kit.
Our next blog article will focus on CBD (our main ingredient besides progesterone) and the connections we are discovering on how it can also be useful for weight loss (and avoiding weight gain).
