We often think of our body weight as simply a matter of food in, energy out. While there is science to back this up, there are many other factors that contribute to our size. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, these include genetics and hormones.
Marla Ahlgrimm explains that there are four hormones/compounds that have a direct impact on how much food we want to intake. Ghrelin is the primary hormone of these. This hormone stimulates the hypothalamus and drives your brain’s desire for a snack. Motilin is produced in the intestines and signals hunger contractions during periods of fasting. Neuropeptide Y and Agouti-related protein also affect whether or not the body and brain feel hunger.
In addition to hormones that control hunger, there are several chemicals within the body that determine our satiety levels, says Marla Ahlgrimm. These include CCK, GLP-1, peptide YY, leptin, insulin, and obestatin.
CCK affects the gallbladder and pancreas and allows the body to digest more efficiently. It’s produced in the small intestine and has a significant sway on the way the brain processes the feelings of fullness related to fat and protein. GLP-1 responds to nutrients during digestion and slows the stomach emptying process. The slower the stomach processes food, the longer it takes for the brain to get a hunger signal.
Leptin is another significant hormone that plays a role in whether we are sated or continue to have a rumbling in our stomachs. Leptin inhibits other hormones to promote a fullness feeling. Most of us are familiar with insulin as it relates to diabetes; however, insulin also helps the brain know when it’s time to stop eating. Obestatin is a much lesser-known hormone which counteracts the hunger-inducing effects of ghrelin, and scientists aren’t 100% sure how.
Marla Ahlgrimm also points out that there are other hormones in the body that affect weight. Thyroid hormone is a great example. People with hyperthyroidism tend to be below average weight. People with hypothyroidism may be heavier. Cortisol is another hormone that can affect the numbers on the scales, and Marla Ahlgrimm says this one is directly related to stress. People with a proportionately larger gut than the rest of their body may have a cortisol overload since the stress hormone is known to trigger midsection expansion.
Marla Ahlgrimm notes that hormone levels can change according to a person’s age, health status, weight, and other factors.
Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle
Women who are concerned that their hormones may be negatively impacting their body’s ability to regulate weight should first discuss their personal situation with their primary health care provider. Next, Marla Ahlgrimm recommends paying close attention to food intake and activity levels. While the volume and type of food we eat is the primary influencing factor on our body weight, staying active keeps our metabolism up, which can help us burn more calories and thus maintain our weight. The more a person moves, the better their body is at burning fat. The opposite is also true, and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle have more trouble losing weight.
Marla Ahlgrimm further recommends getting enough sleep, reducing stress levels, and staying hydrated as ways that women (and men!) can keep themselves healthy and happy.
Ultimately, while we can’t always control our hormone levels and health concerns, Marla Ahlgrimm says we can all take steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Start by learning about the different hormones that affect weight, and then stay healthy by a combination of lifestyle changes that promote wellness each day.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,