The first place where we accumulate fat deposits is the belly, and abdominal fat is the last one we manage to burn.
We need to raise the awareness of the beauty of everyone’s body, all its sizes, and shapes, but abdominal fat is closely related to health issues.
Excessive fat deposits in the belly area pose serious health risks, and it might be a sign of hormonal imbalance, poor metabolism, and increased appetite.
It might cause diabetes, premature aging, heart disease, and other health issues, so you need to consider balancing the hormones, exercising, eating a healthier diet, and regulating your sleep patterns in order to be able to get rid of it.
Balancing the hormones is a key step, as extra belly fat might be caused by:
- High Estrogen
- High insulin
- High Cortisol
- Low Growth Hormone
- Low Testosterone
- Low DHEA
Controlling Estrogen Levels
Both women and men should pay attention to their estrogen levels as high estrogen levels might cause obesity, fat accumulation in the belly area, headaches, fibrocystic breasts and ovaries, breast cancer, and irregular periods, and an increased risk of prostate cancer in men.
Additionally, this might cause low motivation and libido, poor memory, and depression in menopausal women.
To control estrogen, you should consume plenty of foods rich in phytonutrients and phytochemicals, such as apples, carrots, oats, seeds, nuts, berries, lentils, yams, rice, alfalfa, ginseng, fennel, and anise.
Controlling Insulin Levels
This hormone aids the body to process sugar in the bloodstream, and carry it to cells, where it is used as fuel or stored in the form of fat.
Insulin resistance might be caused by excessive consumption of processed sugars, refined junk foods, alcohol use, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, stress, excess belly fat, and family history of diabetes, and it might result in diabetes, weight gain, and various health issues.
Increase the intake of dark green vegetables, fiber-high foods, whole foods, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds, and nuts, and avoid processed sugar and processed foods.
Controlling Cortisol Levels
In the case of stress, the body releases cortisol, which is harmless in low levels. Yet, chronic stress leads to chronically high cortisol levels, which cause obesity, belly fat, sleep issues, bad mood, and poor memory.
To lower stress and balance the levels of this hormone, increase the intake of citrus fruits, spinach, foods containing zinc (beans, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, nuts, seafood), barley, and foods high in omega-3s (flaxseeds, fish, walnuts).
Controlling Growth Hormones
These hormones affect our feelings, appearance, and actions, and are vital for tissue repair, bone density, muscle building, and healthy body composition.
Their levels lower with aging, and this causes higher inflammation markers, heart diseases, and an increased risk of excess belly fat.
You should consume more water, coconut oil, seeds, nuts, spirulina, pineapples, lemons, goji berries, fava beans, raw cacao, greek yogurt, chlorella, raisins, watermelon, and beets, in order to boost the human growth hormones levels in the body.
Controlling Testosterone Levels
This is the male sex hormone, which also affects hair growth, bone and muscle mass, and sperm production. It is also reduced with age, and causes extra pounds.
Its early decline might be the reason for muscle loss, depression, obesity, heart disease, low motivation, decreased strength, osteoporosis and early death.
Vitamin D boosts the production of testosterone, so you should consume more fatty fish, egg yolks, and mushrooms, as well as bananas, broccoli, Brazil nuts, and oysters.
Controlling DHEA Levels
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is produced by the adrenal glands, and it affects the energy levels, mood, libido, the ability to lose fat and gain muscle, sleep, motivation, and the immune system.
Its levels naturally decrease after the age of 30, and they also lower due to the increased cortisol levels.
To increase DHEA levels, try meditation, yoga, stretching, relaxation techniques, and other de-stressing methods, and increase the intake of foods rich in omega-3s, olive oil, yams, and soybeans.