Your weight is largely controlled by hormones. Research shows that hormones influence your appetite and how much fat you store;
1. Insulin: Insulin is produced in your pancreas and regulates glucose (a.k.a. blood sugar in your body). Your blood sugar rises after a meal, so your body releases insulin to signal your cells to take in all the glucose. When your carbohydrate intake is high, however, your cells may already be at maximum capacity and thus unable to absorb any more glucose. With all the excess glucose floating around, your pancreas in turn releases even more insulin! The high amount of insulin then encourages fat buildup, and the vicious cycle continues. To avoid this, try to keep your blood sugar levels as stable as possible. That means eating more veggies, protein, and whole-grain foods.
2. Ghrelin: Ghrelin, more commonly known as the “hunger hormone,” regulates appetite. It’s produced in your stomach and often makes you crave high-calorie foods. The hungrier you are, the higher your ghrelin levels. These levels lower after eating, once you are full and satisfied. Eating enough protein can help stabilize your ghrelin hormones. You can choose from meat, fish, eggs, and legumes.
3. Leptin: Leptin is essentially ghrelin’s mirror image. A natural appetite suppressant, it’s low when you’re hungry and rises once you are full. A diet high in fried, fatty, and sugary foods can interfere with leptin and prevent your body from noticing when you’ve had enough to eat. This can naturally make you gain weight as a result of “leptin resistance.” To counteract this, make sure you eat a balanced diet to prevent weight gain.
4. Cortisol: Cortisol, the dreaded stress hormone, can play a vital role in regulating metabolism. Produced in the adrenal gland, this hormone is released in stressful situations and makes sure that your body has enough energy to gear you up for action. When you have high cortisol levels, you might experience cravings and consume more food than you actually need. This may eventually lead to weight gain, depression, and chronic conditions such as diabetes. You can prevent this by practicing mindful eating, even when you’re feeling stressed. You might not be able to curb your cravings entirely, but you can make smarter snacking decisions.
Source: Health