How to lose hormonal belly fat

Belly fat occurs especially when our metabolism slows down with age, and this is mainly due to genetics. Another culprit of belly fat? You do not eat balanced and do not exercise. But two endocrinologists from POPSUGAR, Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD, a graduate endocrinologist on the New York Endocrinology board of directors, and Jaime Knopman, MD, a certified reproductive endocrinologist from CCRM Fertility, explained that hormones could also be blamed.

Dr. Salas-Whalen explained that abdominal abdominal fat is usually badociated with visceral fat, the fat that attaches to internal organs like the liver and pancreas. Subcutaneous fat, on the other hand, is what you can pinch with your fingers. It's the visceral fat that causes concern, she said, because of the health problems that could result. For example, this type of fat can indicate or lead to a metabolic syndrome – which means that you have a group of metabolic disorders such as obesity, high blood pressure and fasting high blood sugar – or even diabetes.

Another possibility? Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, which affects women of childbearing age and occurs when they produce too much male hormones. This can predispose them to type 2 diabetes because of high blood sugar. Of course, hormonal belly fat does not always have to indicate these conditions. Women who go through menopause or IVF can also accumulate belly fat due to fluctuations in hormones – during menopause, especially, there is a decrease in estrogen. Learn more about these potential causes of hormonal belly fat here.

How to lose hormonal belly fat

You can not reduce belly fat or any fat – we've talked a lot about it, but it's worth repeating. However, you can do something very important to improve your health and body fat. We'll see what you can do for hormonal belly fat if you do not have the underlying conditions that endocrinologists talk about and what to do if you have them (or do it).

Without underlying conditions: nutrition, exercise, etc.

Dr. Knopman is a supporter of weight loss in the healthiest way possible, which involves focusing on the best practices in nutrition and avoiding fad diets. "Have all the food groups, but in moderation, if that means you have to go sit down with a nutritionist and come up with a healthy diet, do it," she said. Discover the foods that promote your metabolism here (also here).

Exercise is also important, said Dr. Knopman. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic workouts or 75 to 150 minutes of high-intensity aerobic work per week per week. HIIT, strength training and cardio are the most effective ways to target fat as a whole.

Both endocrinologists agreed that stress does not help, because cortisol, a stress hormone, can also contribute to belly fat. So, you may want to evaluate your lifestyle and see if you need to incorporate self-care practices and sleep more (because lack of sleep can increase cortisol production). To learn more about the basics of fat loss – like eating a calorie deficit and staying active outside the gym – check out this easy-to-follow guide.

Underlying conditions: Treatments vary but take notes

Similar recommendations apply to people with PCOS, metabolic syndrome and diabetes because they are all related to insulin resistance (which you can read here). "Starches, white flour, sugars, all contribute to belly fat, so by reducing that, they will lose weight and improve their metabolic problem," said Dr. Salas-Whalen. says, adding that they really need to monitor the consumption of simple carbohydrates. Having an exercise routine is also highly recommended.

Dr. Salas-Whalen explained that if a doctor evaluated a patient with this type of belly fat and discovered factors like high enzyme levels, cholesterol, and high blood pressure, he might suggest a drug to lose weight – the most recent being the GLP-1 badogues, a family of injectables, she said – or targeted treatment of PCOS or diabetes. Metformin is an oral medication used for the treatment of PCOS and diabetes.

Dr. Knopman said that birth control is also used to treat symptoms of PCOS. "If you have these big fluctuations in your hormones, the pill will even take you out," she says. You can find more information about diabetes treatment at diabete.org and more about PCOS treatment on the PCOS Awareness Association website. And, please contact your doctor for more information.

One last note on how to contact your doctor

Menopause is a natural process that occurs as you get older. A slower metabolism also occurs with age. The fat will accumulate on your body with age. it's like that. But if you do everything you can to lose weight – eat healthy, exercise, reduce stress – and you do not see any results, you can contact your doctor because it might be wrong. 39, a hormonal belly fat related to a more serious underlying problem. state. Dr. Salas-Whalen suggests consulting your primary health care provider or an endocrinologist directly first.