In my late 30s, I began experiencing rapid weight gain, mood swings, brain fog, and fatigue, despite maintaining the same diet and daily routine. Determined to address these symptoms and feel vibrant, young, and sexy again, I embarked on a journey of extensive research, numerous visits to naturopathic doctors, and a lot of trial and error.

Through this journey, I discovered a regimen that balanced my hormones, a regimen that has worked for millions of other women struggling with symptoms caused by hormonal imbalances. It’s called Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) involves the use of hormones that are chemically identical to the ones your body naturally produces. These hormones are derived from plant sources, such as yams and soy, and are processed to have the same molecular structure as human hormones. Bioidentical hormone therapy became the anchor that helped me achieve complete hormonal balance. Now, in my 50s, I feel like I’ve truly turned back the hands of time.

Why are Natural Bioidentical Hormones Better Than Synthetic Hormones?

To find complete relief from hormonal decline, many women, including myself, use bioidentical hormones such as EstroGlow and ProGestGlow. These products have been extremely safe and effective for me and thousands of other women. It’s important to use natural hormones (bioidentical hormones), not synthetic hormones, to avoid side effects.

Bioidentical hormones are considered superior to synthetic hormones for several key reasons, all related to their chemical structure, absorption, and the body’s response to them*.

1. Chemical Structure: Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones naturally produced by the human body. This structural similarity means that the body recognizes and metabolizes them in the same way it does its own hormones. Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, have a different chemical structure, which can lead to variations in how the body processes and responds to them.
2. Absorption and Efficacy: Because bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to human hormones, they are more easily absorbed and utilized by the body. This often results in better efficacy and symptom relief for those experiencing hormonal imbalances. Synthetic hormones may not be absorbed as effectively, which can lead to less predictable outcomes and sometimes less effective symptom management.
3. Side Effects: Bioidentical hormones are typically associated with fewer side effects compared to synthetic hormones. This is because the body can more easily metabolize bioidentical hormones without producing unwanted byproducts that can cause adverse reactions. Synthetic hormones, due to their different chemical structure, can create metabolites that might lead to side effects such as bloating, mood swings, and increased risk of certain health conditions.
4. Natural Source: Bioidentical hormones are derived from natural plant sources, such as yams and soy. These plant-based hormones are then processed to be chemically identical to the hormones your body produces. This natural derivation aligns more closely with holistic health approaches and is often preferred by individuals seeking a more natural way to address hormonal imbalances. Synthetic hormones, conversely, are created in laboratories and may include artificial components.

Which Bioidentical Hormones Do You Need?

Between the ages of 35 and 60+, both progesterone and estrogen levels naturally begin to decline. Starting around age 35, these hormone levels fluctuate, and in your 40s and 50s, they decline more sharply, often resulting in little to no estrogen by post-menopause. To achieve complete relief from the symptoms of hormonal decline, replacing the hormones your body no longer produces with natural bioidentical hormones can be incredibly effective. Adding natural bioidentical hormone creams like ProGestGlow and EstroGlow can help you feel like yourself again.

Understanding which bioidentical hormones are right for you involves considering your age and specific symptoms.

In Your 40s and 50s: During this period, increasing your progesterone levels can combat hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance or perimenopause. These imbalances can wreak havoc on your health, leading to mood swings, insomnia, headaches, and unwanted weight changes. For relief, I recommend the Hormone Focus Bundle, which includes natural progesterone in the form of ProGestGlow along with Hormone Focus. Hormone Focus is an all-natural dietary supplement that combines DIM and Calcium D-Glucarate to help bring your body back into balance. It’s my go-to solution to alleviate the irritating symptoms associated with estrogen dominance and perimenopause.

In Your Late 50s and Beyond: As you move into your late 50s and beyond, your body starts to produce little to no estrogen, leading to menopause and post-menopause. This stage often brings symptoms like brain fog, hot flashes, fatigue, bloating, and stubborn weight gain. For these symptoms, I recommend the Menopause Support Bundle, which includes EstroGlow along with ProGestGlow and Hormone Focus. EstroGlow is an estrogen cream specifically formulated to provide relief from the discomforts of hormonal imbalances associated with menopause and post-menopause.

Conclusion

In summary, bioidentical hormones offer a more natural and effective approach to hormone replacement therapy compared to synthetic hormones. Their identical chemical structure to human hormones, better absorption, fewer side effects, and natural sourcing make them a preferable choice for many individuals seeking relief from hormonal imbalances. By using bioidentical hormones tailored to your stage in life, you can effectively manage hormonal imbalances and reclaim your health and well-being.

However, it’s important to note that Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) may not be suitable for everyone. Women with heart disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, certain cancers such as breast and uterine cancer, liver disease, or a history of blood clots should avoid natural bioidentical hormones. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new diet, supplement, or hormone regimen to ensure it’s the right choice for your individual health needs.

Embrace your new journey towards hormonal balance happiness! With the right support and natural bioidentical hormones, you can feel like your vibrant, youthful self again.

Hormones are often referred to as the body’s messengers. They play a critical role in the body’s functionality, helping to regulate almost every major bodily function. These range from simple needs, such as hunger and thirst, to more complex systems like reproduction and growth. Hormone balance refers to the ideal proportions of different body aspects, such as estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, and cortisol.

In addition, hormones have a significant influence on our emotions, mood and weight loss. They help control our mental state and feelings, and any imbalance in hormone levels can have a profound effect on our psychological health. For instance, an imbalance in serotonin levels can lead to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Another example, unhealthy estrogen levels can lead to sluggish weight loss in many stubborn fat areas like the thighs, belly and arms. 

Disruptions to hormonal balance are not to be taken lightly. They can have wide-ranging effects on our health, affecting both our physical condition and mental well-being. Hormonal imbalance can result in a variety of symptoms, from weight gain and hair loss to mood swings and memory lapses.

This is why understanding your hormones and ensuring they are in balance is of utmost importance. By having a comprehensive understanding of your hormones and their functions, you can better manage your health and well-being, and take steps to address any imbalances that may arise.

The Impact of Hormonal Imbalance on Daily Life and Well-being

As mentioned above hormonal imbalances may manifest in physical signs such as weight gain, irregular periods, and hair loss. Emotional and cognitive symptoms may include mood swings and memory lapses. If these signs persist, it is advisable to seek medical advice. In addition to the physical and emotional symptoms, hormonal imbalances can also create a range of other issues that may not be as obvious, but can significantly disrupt daily life and overall well-being.

One such impact is on sleep. Hormonal imbalances can lead to sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or excessive sleepiness. This can create a vicious cycle, as lack of quality sleep can further exacerbate hormonal imbalances. It’s not uncommon for individuals with a hormonal imbalance to experience fatigue, which can make it even more difficult to manage daily tasks and responsibilities.

Changes in appetite are another common symptom of hormonal imbalance as well. This can take the form of increased hunger or loss of appetite. In either case, these changes can lead to unhealthy eating habits and exacerbated weight gain, which can further contribute to hormonal imbalance and other health problems. These symptoms, together with the physical and emotional changes, can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Daily routines and tasks can become increasingly challenging, and maintaining social relationships can also become difficult.

In fact, the cumulative effect of these symptoms can contribute to a gradual decline in overall well-being. This is why it’s so important to recognize the signs of hormonal imbalance early on and seek appropriate medical advice. By addressing and managing hormonal imbalances, you can help to mitigate these impacts and improve both your physical health and mental well-being.

If you experience persistent symptoms of hormonal imbalance, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider. They can diagnose any underlying conditions and provide appropriate treatment options. Additionally, I suggest taking a dietary supplement like Hormone Focus which helps to naturally support hormone balance and overall health.

Culprits Behind Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances can be caused by lifestyle factors and stress, certain medical conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorders, menopause/perimenopause, and estrogen dominance. Poor nutritional choices, such as a high sugar diet, can lead to insulin resistance, which in turn can disrupt other hormones. Lack of physical activity, chronic stress, and inadequate sleep can also negatively affect hormonal balance. Additionally, certain medications and environmental toxins can interfere with hormone production and function.

Exposure to certain chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, which can be found in everyday items like personal care products and plastic containers, can also disrupt hormonal balance. It’s important to be aware of these factors and make choices that support hormonal health.

How to Fix Hormonal Imbalance

Balancing hormones involves dietary changes like incorporating healthy fats and reducing sugar intake, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques. Medical interventions should also be considered when necessary.

In the pursuit of hormonal balance, it’s important to be patient and persistent. Achieving optimal hormonal health is a journey, not a destination, and it requires consistent effort and attention. A balanced, nutritious diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress management techniques are all crucial components in this journey.

Here are few ways to solve hormonal imbalance:

1. Maintain a Healthy Diet: A balanced diet is critical for hormonal balance. This should include a variety of fruits and vegetables which provide essential vitamins and minerals. Lean proteins, such as chicken, fish, or tofu, can help with hormone production. Healthy fats, like those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, are important for maintaining cell structure and hormone production. Whole grains, like brown rice and oatmeal, provide fiber and help control blood sugar levels, which can help keep your hormones in check. On the other hand, you should avoid processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats as they can disrupt hormonal balance.
2. Regular Exercise: Physical activity plays a vital role in balancing hormones. Regular exercise can help regulate insulin, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce stress, all of which can help balance hormones. It doesn’t have to be intense or long; even activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, or weight lifting done consistently can make a significant difference.
3. Adequate Sleep: Sleep is when your body goes to work repairing cells and producing hormones. Therefore, getting a good night’s sleep—around 7-8 hours per night—is crucial for hormone production and balance. Lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, leading to a range of health issues.
4. Stress Management: Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your hormone balance. High stress levels can lead to hormonal imbalances, including changes in cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and even simple activities like reading a book or taking a bath can help manage stress levels and keep your hormones in balance.
5. Try All Natural Supplements: Taking an all natural dietary supplement like Hormone Focus helps to naturally support hormone balance. I encourage you to give it a try especially if you’ve suffered from hormonal imbalances such as PMS, PCOS, estrogen dominance and Menopause/Peri-Menopause. In addition to poor health factors like overwhelming stress, hormonal imbalance can also lead to weight gain. When your hormones are out of whack, some people experience a build up in stubborn fat around the waist, thighs and arms. Hormone Focus is proven to solve sluggish weight gain caused by stubborn fat.

What Foods Help to Balance Hormones

• Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables: These vegetables contain a substance called indole-3-carbinol, which helps to balance estrogen levels.
• Fatty Fish: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for hormone health.
• Quinoa: This grain is a complete protein and is a rich source of magnesium, which helps balance insulin levels.
• Nuts: Almonds, cashews, and walnuts are rich in good fats and fiber which can help balance your hormones.
• Avocados: They are packed with healthy fats that are essential for hormone synthesis.
• Flaxseeds: These seeds are high in lignans and fiber which can help balance estrogen levels.
• Leafy green vegetables: They are a rich source of folic acid and magnesium which are essential for hormone balance.

Can Hormones be Balanced Naturally or with Supplements

Yes, an all natural supplement like Hormone Focus helps support healthy hormone levels, promote weight loss by addressing hormonal imbalances and aids in menstrual cycle regulation.   A supplement like Hormone Focus is best used as part of a holistic approach to hormonal health.

It’s important to note that while supplements like Hormone Focus can support hormone health, their effectiveness can vary significantly among individuals. Factors such as age, gender, overall health status, and individual hormonal needs can all influence how effective these supplements may be. It’s important to consult your healthcare provider when taking any supplements to ensure it is right for you.

Conclusion: Taking Charge of Your Hormonal Health

It’s crucial to take charge of your hormonal health. By understanding the key takeaways from this article—such as the importance of balanced hormones, the signs of imbalance, the causes, how to achieve balance, and the science behind hormones—you can proactively manage your health.

Ugh, there is nothing worse than feeling like your body is fighting you. None of your clothes feel right. You’re hot and then you’re cold. You can’t sleep but you’re exhausted. And you’re cranky. Yes, like you I know exactly what this feels like.

It’s the hormones. Yes, you can blame this on the hormones! A hormonal imbalance causes chaos in your body – impacting your physical and mental health. The fantastic news is, you can make changes to your daily routine and diet to help fix a hormonal imbalance.

So don’t stress – smile because you know you’ll be back in your favorite jeans and tops in no time. In this blog I explain the facts on your hormones, hormonal imbalances, the 12 signs of a hormonal imbalance, and the foods you can eat to balance your hormones naturally.

I know a lot of you have questions about hormones, perimenopause, menopause, belly fat, and your body. To get all of my insider tips and advice on how to live your healthiest and best life, subscribe to my mailing list. And make sure you join the JJ Smith Facebook Community page to connect with people like you who want to take control of their hormones.

8 Facts You Need to Know About Your Hormones

No one really wants to talk about hormones. It’s likely your doctor hasn’t even discussed your hormones and how they affect your daily life. Well, it’s time to change this.

I want you to know these 8 facts about your hormones:

1. Hormones are specialized chemical substancessubstance in the body, controlling and regulating the activities of other cells and organs.
2. Your hormones send messages to regulate every process in your body.
3. Your hormones impact your appetite, heart rate, sleep cycles, reproductive cycles, sexual function, metabolism, mood, and body temperature.
4. Men and women have the same hormones. But the amount, how they are produced, and how they interact with other organs and body systems differs.
5. Your liver has a key role in keeping your thyroid, adrenal, cortisone, and sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) balanced.
6. There are over 200 hormones circulating in your bloodstream.
7. Every hormone, organ, and internal process is connected, so when one hormone is out of balance, you feel the impacts.
8. Hormonal belly is real! “Hormones help regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive. If a person has a deficiency in certain hormones, it may result in weight gain around the abdomen, which is known as hormonal belly.”

6 Hormones Every Women Needs to Know About

You need to know about your body and how it works.! And this includes understanding how your hormones impact your mood, your weight, and every other aspect of your physical and mental health.

While we can’t talk about every single hormone, I do want to highlight these 6 key hormones:

1. Leptin is released by your fat cells and is responsible for telling your brain when you’re full and to stop eating or drinking. In fact, leptin is the reason why so many people experience post-diet weight gain.I really like the way the Society for Endocrinology explains leptin, “Leptin does not affect food intake from meal to meal but, instead, acts to alter food intake and control energy expenditure over the long term. Leptin has a more profound effect when we lose weight and levels of the hormone fall. This stimulates a huge appetiteappetited and increased food intake. The hormone helps us to maintain our normal weight and unfortunately for dieters, makes it hard to lose those extra pounds!”.
2. Thyroid hormones impact your metabolism – speeding it up or slowing it down. When your thyroid is underactive, your thyroid gland does not generate enough thyroid hormone. This underactivity causes your metabolism to slow down and can contribute to unexplained weight gain around your belly.
3. Estrogen is responsible for reproduction, menstruation, menopause, and your body fat levels. Women and men have estrogen, but it is much higher in women.Your estrogen levels fluctuate during perimenopause and when you reach menopause, you stop producing estrogen. This lack of estrogen has direct impacts on your metabolism, muscle mass, and how your body looks and feels. Your estrogen levels affect where you store body fat.
4. Testosterone is often overlooked by women and is thought of as the male hormone. While testosterone is the male sex hormone, women also have testosterone. In women, testosterone has a critical role in building strong bones and muscles.
5. Cortisol is your fight or flight hormone. Your cortisol levels are controlled by your stress levels. The more stressed you are, the higher your cortisol levels. A high cortisol level tells your body to be ready for a fight or survival, tricking your body into storing extra body fat – in the event you can’t get food. This extra body fat is typically stored around your belly, in your breasts, and on your face.
6. Insulin is secreted by your pancreas and converts the sugar in the foods you eat into energy. When your insulin is consistently too high or spikes, your body responds by converting excess sugar and glucose into fat.

Now, I know this is a lot of information to take in. Don’t worry – you don’t need to be an expert in hormones and your health. This is why I write and share these blogs with you – to give you the information you need to understand how your body works.

What is an Hormonal Imbalance?

A hormonal imbalance is when there is too little or too much of a hormone circulating in your bloodstream. It doesn’t take much to create a hormonal imbalance and trigger a range of symptoms and side effects.

A hormonal imbalance can be responsible for a range of concerns including weight gain, low energy levels, fluctuating moods, trouble sleeping, and itchy skin.

This quote from Endocrine Web really stands out for me: “When your hormones are balanced and working in sync, you won’t notice them, of course, and that’s a good thing. It’s when they’re imbalanced that you could start seeing cascading health issues take over.”

12 Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

There are over 200 hormones in your body working hard to keep you feeling and looking healthy and well. Because there are so many hormones, there is a wide range of hormonal imbalance signs.

Endocrine Web has an excellent list of hormonal imbalance signs that I want you to know. Please pay attention to any new or unexplained changes in your health and wellness:

1. Sudden or inexplicable weight gain or weight loss.
2. Difficulty sleeping.
3. Feeling very hot or very cold changes, or extreme sensitivity to heat or cold.
4. Excessive sweating.
5. Heart rate changes.
6. Dry skin or sudden acne.
7. Anxiety or other mood changes.
8. Sexual function or sexual appetite shifts.
9. Blurred vision.
10. Brittle hair and nails.
11. Excessive hair growth.
12. Breast tenderness.

Please do not ignore these or any other symptoms. These signs and symptoms can be linked to serious health conditions – talk to your doctor.

How to Eat to Balance Your Hormones Naturally

It’s no secret that you are what you eat! And the foods you eat do impact your hormonal health.

Thanks to scientific research we know a lot about how food impacts your hormonal health. Here’s a short sample of some of the studies and findings into food and hormonal imbalances:

• Research into diets high in sugar and highly refined carbohydrates highlights how these stimulate insulin resistance and can lead to type 2 diabetes and other health issues.
• Eating enough protein is linked to helping control appetite and producing hormones that help you feel full. Consuming 20 – 30 grams of protein with every meal can help you burn fat and also build more muscle..
• Too many people are afraid of eating fat. But you need to eat healthy fat to help regulate your insulin levels and the levels of hormones that help you feel full.

So, with this in mind, let’s talk about the foods that can help you balance your hormones naturally. Not only are the 4 foods on this list healthy and delicious, but they also have deep-ranging health impacts beyond your hormone health.

The next time you go grocery shopping, try to put at least two of these foods in your cart and experiment with ways to prepare and eat these hormonal balancing foods:

1. Cruciferous vegetables. Vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy, cauliflower, and broccoli sprouts are both liver and hormone health superfoods. These foods help your liver metabolize and manage estrogen. Try adding these to a soup, a stir fry, a salad, or even in your morning smoothies.
2. Food high in omega-3 fats. Salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, olive oil, avocados, chia seeds, and canned albacore tuna are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. When you choose these healthful fat sources, you’re getting the ideal balance of fatty acids while keeping saturated and trans fat to a minimum. As an extra bonus, these foods are excellent sources of protein.“The good fats in fish improve overall hormonal communication. The endocrine system uses hormones to communicate with the brain, which in turn boosts our mood and gives us better cognitive skills,” says Carrie Gabriel M.S., RDN, a dietitian and owner of Steps2Nutrition.
3. Brightly colored fruit. I want you to eat the rainbow! Load up your cart with oranges, berries, lemons, melons, bananas, apples, pears, grapes, and any other favorites. Fruit is an ideal way to help curb a sweet tooth, get the vitamins you need, are rich in powerful antioxidants, high in fiber, and can help lower inflammation – all of which impacts your ability to regulate and produce the right hormone levels.
4. Healthy carbohydrates. You know that fast-acting carbohydrates can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. Well, when this happens, your insulin level is impacted – causing you to store extra energy as fat. But when you eat healthy carbohydrates such as beans, wild rice, large flake oats, quinoa, whole grain bread, or buckwheat – you get long-lasting energy that doesn’t cause your blood sugar levels to spike. Think slow-acting carbohydrates for insulin and cortisol balance.Swap white bread for a whole-grain seedy loaf. Swap white rice and pasta for wild rice. Swap your morning cereal for a bowl of overnight oats topped with fresh berries. Swap white potatoes for sweet potatoes

As an extra bonus these foods are liver superfoods! So, when you eat a diet rich in greens, fruits, healthy carbohydrates, and omega-3 fats – you’re eating the foods that help you naturally balance your hormones while supporting your liver health. And the really big bonus is, these foods all contribute to keeping your blood sugar levels in check.

Food really does impact every aspect of your physical and mental health. I want you to enjoy the foods you eat. These foods help you feel great, get and stay healthy, and help you slip into your favorite skinny jeans.

Your Hormone Health is in Your Hands

No one wants to talk about hormones, periods, or menopause – but it’s time to change this! So, let’s get talking!

Join the JJ Smith Facebook Community page to chat with other women like you who want real talk about hormonal imbalances, periods, perimenopause, estrogen dominance, and menopause – let’s get the conversations going!

And remember to read my other blogs about hormone health and to subscribe to my mailing list. I want you to know what I know about hormones, health, weight gain, belly fat, and balancing your hormones naturally.

Congratulations for taking charge of your health!

Learn how a liver detox can help you ease the signs and symptoms of high estrogen

It’s super frustrating when you’re doing everything right and you still can’t lose your belly fat.

I get it! I’ve been where you are. Even with a super healthy diet, staying hydrated, and moving my body – I still struggled with stubborn belly fat. And then I learned about estrogen dominance.

I knew about low estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause, and how the changes in my hormones cause my body to change and trigger a range of side effects. But no one
told me about estrogen dominance or high estrogen and this impacts how I look and feel.

The last thing I want is for you to struggle with the symptoms of estrogen dominance. In this blog I explain estrogen dominance, give you the signs and symptoms of high estrogen, and share the 6 steps I followed to lower my estrogen, detox my liver, and ultimately get my sexy back!

You can also use HORMONE FOCUS to naturally support hormonal balance. Hormone Focus supports healthy estrogen levels and helps get rid of stubborn fat around the belly, thighs and arms caused by hormonal imbalances. It also relieves hormonal symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, water retention and poor sleep to help you improve your energy and vitality.

If you have questions about estrogen dominance or want to connect with people like you who put a priority on health, make sure you join the JJ Smith Community Facebook page and sign up for my mailing list.

What is Estrogen Dominance?

Estrogen dominance is one of the most common types of hormonal imbalances in women. Estrogen dominance or high estrogen occurs when there is too much estrogen in relation to the amount of progesterone in your body.

While this imbalance can be caused by the normal fluctuating hormone levels in the body, occurring during ovulation, perimenopause, and menopause – many people overlook the impacts lifestyle can have on estrogen levels.

In fact, estrogen dominance can be attributed to high levels of xenoestrogens in the body. ScienceDirect defines xenoestrogens as “foreign estrogens, substances that are close enough in molecular structure in estrogen that they can bind to estrogen receptor sites with potentially hazardous outcomes”.

We can accumulate xenoestrogens through exposure to plastics, pesticides, chemicals, food additives, and unfiltered water. Over time the level of xenoestrogens accumulates in the body, causing serious health impacts including estrogen dominance, low sperm counts, fertility issues, obesity, hormone-sensitive cancers, thyroid problems, and more.

And when this high level of xenoestrogens is combined with too little progesterone or too much estrogen, it becomes even more critical to understand estrogen dominance and how it affects your life.

Remember, estrogen dominance is about more than belly fat and extra weight, it has large implications for your health and wellness.

8 Signs and Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance

I want you to know these 8 signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance. Now, it’s important you do not ignore these signs because they can indicate serious health concerns and issues. Always talk to your doctor about any unexplained signs and symptoms.

The Hormone Health Network lists these 8 signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance:

1. Weight gain, mainly in your waists, hips, and thighs.
2. Menstrual problems, such as light or heavy bleeding.
3. Worsening premenstrual syndrome.
4. Fibrocystic breasts (non-cancerous breast lumps).
5. Fibroids (non-cancerous tumors) in the uterus.
6. Fatigue.
7. Loss of sex drive.
8. Feeling depressed or anxious.

All too often we don’t notice these signs and symptoms, accepting them as simply part of getting older. I know – because I did this! I assumed the stubborn belly fat, tiredness, and mood swings were normal for a woman in her 40’s.

Thankfully I learned about estrogen dominance and how to rebalance my estrogen levels so I could get back to feeling like my energetic and sexy self. Remember, you should not suffer in silence – if you don’t feel right, speak up and talk to your doctor.

The Connection Between Your Liver, Your Hormones and Your Health

The liver is your body’s purification system, cleansing your blood and body of harmful exposure to toxins, chemicals, processed foods, and by-products of our busy lifestyle including alcohol, tobacco, cleaning chemicals, and beauty products.

But overtime, your liver can become overloaded, making it difficult for your liver to keep functioning properly. This poor liver function can result in the accumulation of xenoestrogens and toxins – leading to the overwhelming problem of estrogen dominance and additional health impacts.

As I explained in Your Liver: What It Does and Why It’s So Important To Your Health, along with cleansing your blood, your liver has four other critical roles:

1. Creates and stores energy. Your liver creates, stores, and exports fat keeping it available as an energy source. However, when your liver is overwhelmed, you end up with excess stored fat and risk the accumulation of belly fat.
2. Creates protein. Along with helping you build and maintain muscle, protein is also responsible for blood clotting, helping you fight infections, and moving critical substances in your blood.
3. Hormone regulation. The liver is a key player in keeping your thyroid, adrenal, cortisone, and sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) balanced. There are over 50 different hormones circulating in your bloodstream, helping you to think, move, sleep, and recover. Every hormone, organ, and internal process is connected, so when one hormone is out of balance, you feel the impacts.
4. Metabolizing carbohydrates and fat. A healthy liver means you can burn calories and fat, making it easier for you to stay slim and lose inches. Think of your liver as your fat-burning organ!

Every organ and system in the body is connected, so when your liver is not functioning properly, you end up with high estrogen levels, extra belly fat, fatigue, mood swings, and risk of serious illness include fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

How to Detox Your Liver to Lower Your Estrogen Levels and to Lose Belly Fat in 6 Steps

To detox your liver to lower your estrogen levels and lose belly fat, do the following:

1. Be toxin aware. Use natural beauty products and cleaners, limit your exposure to tobacco, fertilizer, and insecticide, avoid food additives, and wash your fresh produce.
2. Drink one gallon of lukewarm water a day. Space this out during your day. I like to add lemon to my water to aid in the detoxification process.
3. Eat a healthful and colorful diet. Your liver needs essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and specific nutrients from vegetables and fruit to heal, regenerate, and stay healthy. Eat liver superfoods like nuts, berries, turmeric, coffee, oatmeal, grapefruit, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
4. Move your body and work up a sweat. Your skin is a major detoxifier and when you sweat, you release harmful toxins and leftover substances from your body. Exercise helps you burn calories and build lean muscle mass.
5. Limit alcohol. Excessive alcohol can destroy or damage critical liver cells and scar your liver. During your liver detox and to help lower your estrogen levels, stop drinking alcohol and give your liver a break from processing this toxin.
6. Use HORMONE FOCUS. You can also use HORMONE FOCUS to naturally support hormonal balance. Hormone Focus supports healthy estrogen levels and helps get rid of stubborn fat around the belly, thighs and arms caused by hormonal imbalances. It also relieves hormonal symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, water retention and poor sleep to help you improve your energy and vitality.

I’m super thankful I learned about estrogen dominance and how to regain control of my hormones. The combination of a natural liver detox and using bioidentical hormones has allowed me to relieve my estrogen dominance symptoms and feel better.

Remember, estrogen dominance can be treated – it does not need to rule your life. Once your hormones are rebalanced, the belly fat melts away, the bloating ends, your energy increases, and you feel like yourself again.

For a more detailed discussion of estrogen dominance, as well as 6 other hormonal imbalances attributed to weight gain, check out my book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out.

Some days, it feels like you’re fighting your body. You’re eating healthy, getting regular exercise, and keeping an eye on your stress – but still you feel a bit off. You’re not alone.

Two words: hormone imbalance. A little secret no one wants to talk about. So many women are struggling with fluctuating hormones and the ups and downs this brings. I know this because you are emailing and messaging me – asking me what you can do to balance your hormones and put an end to hormone imbalance symptoms.

Trust me, I’ve been right where you are. One day, my jeans didn’t feel right and I was sluggish, I hadn’t changed anything in my routine. After lots of research and learning, I unlocked the cause – at the age of 48, my hormones were changing, and my body was struggling to adjust.

And now, I want to share with you what I’ve learned about how to get rid of belly fat and get your curves back. No one should struggle alone with the symptoms of a hormone imbalance or feel like there’s no way to get rid of hormonal belly fat and weight gain. Remember to subscribe to my mailing list where I share tips and advice on how to live your healthiest and sexiest life possible.

What is Hormone Imbalance?

A hormone imbalance occurs when there is too little or too much of a hormone circulating in your blood. All it takes is a small change in a hormone level to trigger a range of side effects and symptoms.

Both men and women are impacted by hormonal imbalances. A hormone imbalance can cause a range of issues including itchy skin, weight gain, low energy levels, trouble sleeping, and fluctuating moods.

It’s easy to overlook the critical role hormones play in your body. These five hormones are essential to how you look and feel inside and out:

1. Insulin: is secreted by the pancreas and processes the glucose and sugar in the foods you eat for energy. When your insulin level spikes or is consistently too high, your body immediately converts sugar and glucose to fat.
2. Thyroid hormones: help regulate your metabolism, weight, energy levels, internal body temperature, and the health of your skin and hair.
3. Estrogen: along with being responsible for reproduction, menstruation, and menopause, your estrogen levels impact your body fat levels.
4. Testosterone: is thought of as the male sex hormone, though in women this hormone helps you build strong muscles and bones.
5. Cortisol: known as the stress hormone, cortisol is released when your body senses stress, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to rise.

There are over 50 different hormones circulating in your bloodstream, helping you to think, move, sleep, and recover.

Every hormone, organ, and internal process is connected, so when one hormone is out of balance, you feel the impacts. Depending on the hormone, this can be weight gain, a skin outbreak, trouble losing belly fat, the loss of muscle mass, or sugar craving you just can’t ignore.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Hormone Imbalance

So many of us go about our days, assuming it’s normal to feel sluggish, tired, sore, and just not quite right. Newsflash – you should not feel like this!

Your hormones should not be causing havoc in your body. One major problem with our understanding of hormones is how easy it is to overlook hormone imbalance symptoms and signs.

Because hormones are integral to every aspect of health and well-being, I can’t include every single sign and symptom of a hormone imbalance here. Instead, I’ve listed 10 hormone imbalance symptoms I overlooked for too long.

1. Unexplained weight gain and belly fat.
2. Irregular and disrupted sleep or night sweats.
3. Low energy levels and fatigue.
4. Low mood, mood swings, or depression.
5. Changes in body temperature, including hot and cold flashes.
6. Brittle hair and dry skin.
7. Increased appetite.
8. No or low interest in sex.
9. Heavy, missed, or irregular periods.
10. Unexplained muscle aches and soreness or loss of muscle strength.

It’s important you do not ignore these symptoms or other unexplained changes in how you look and feel. Read this Healthline article for a detailed list of hormone imbalance symptoms. Please be sure to talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing any hormone imbalance signs and symptoms – they can be a warning of serious health problems and conditions.

The Connection Between Hormone Imbalance, Weight Gain, and Belly Fat

Have you read or heard about the hormonal belly? Health experts use the term hormonal belly to explain the connection between hormone imbalance, weight gain, and belly fat.

You’re not imagining things! Hormonal belly is real. This definition of hormonal belly by Medical News Today reinforces what I know about hormones and belly fat. “Hormones help regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive. If a person has a deficiency in certain hormones, it may result in weight gain around the abdomen, which is known as a hormonal belly.”

Now, I don’t want to get too science-heavy here, but it’s useful to know which hormones are connected to belly fat and weight gain.

• Thyroid hormones: when your thyroid is underactive, your thyroid gland does not generate enough thyroid hormone. This causes changes in your metabolism and a slowdown in your body functions – contributing to unexplained weight gain around your belly.
• Cortisol: the levels of this fight or flight hormone are directly connected to stress. The more stressed you are, the higher your cortisol levels. And high cortisol levels tell your body to be ready for a fight or survival, triggering the creation and storage of body fat. Typically, this extra body fat is stored around your belly, on your face, and in your breasts.
• Leptin: this hormone is released by your fat cells and is responsible for telling your brain when you’re full and to stop eating or drinking. The Society for Endocrinology explains the connection between leptin and weight gain, “Leptin does not affect food intake from meal to meal but, instead, acts to alter food intake and control energy expenditure over the long term. Leptin has a more profound effect when we lose weight and levels of the hormone fall. This stimulates a huge appetite and increased food intake. The hormone helps us to maintain our normal weight and unfortunately for dieters, makes it hard to lose those extra pounds!” This helps explain why people who lose weight while dieting often gain back those lost pounds and more once the diet is over.
• Estrogen hormones: during perimenopause your estrogen levels fluctuate and when you reach menopause, your body stops producing estrogen. This has a direct impact on your metabolism and muscle mass. In fact, your estrogen levels are directly connected to where you store body fat. And to top it off, after menopause your body stores more fat in your cells and is slow to use this fat as an energy source.

Now, I don’t want you to feel helpless or feel like there is nothing you can do about a hormone imbalance and weight gain. The great news is, you can restore your hormone balance naturally and get back to feeling your slim, trim, and sexy self.

How to Balance Your Hormones Naturally

To balance your hormones naturally and get back to feeling great inside and out, remember these 5 tips:

1. Eat a well-rounded balanced diet. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy fat in your daily meals. Your organs, cells, and hormones rely on you to provide enough vitamins, minerals, and energy to keep your body functioning and healthy. Read about the top liver superfoods and easy ways to incorporate coffee, oatmeal, grapefruit, berries, and nuts into your meals.
2. You can also use Hormone Focus to naturally support hormonal balance. Hormone Focus supports healthy estrogen levels and helps get rid of stubborn fat around the belly, thighs and arms caused by hormonal imbalances. It also relieves hormonal symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, water retention and poor sleep to help you improve your energy and vitality.
3. Put your feet up and get some rest. Your body needs you to rest and sleep at least eight hours a night. When you sleep, your body recovers from the stress of the day, repairing cell damage, strengthening your immune system, and topping up your energy levels.
4. Master your stress levels. There is a direct connection between your stress and cortisol levels. An increase in your cortisol level can trigger emotional eating, disrupted sleep, and mood changes. Know your stress triggers and get comfortable saying “no” to invitations and obligations.
5. Support your liver. Your liver is essential to your complete health. Along with cleansing your body of toxins, your liver is your energy source, helps create protein and lean muscle mass, metabolizes carbohydrates and fat, and regulates your hormones. When your liver is overloaded, it cannot perform these critical functions, causing you to gain belly fat, trigger a hormone imbalance, and slow your fat-burning rate. Take a natural liver supplement like Liver Focus to enhance your ability to burn fat and support the natural detoxification process.
6. Be mindful and make sure you’re monitoring your blood sugar levels. Blood sugar regulation is important balancing your hormones. Try a blood sugar regulation supplement like my Blood Sugar Focus. Blood Sugar Focus balances key hormones, namely insulin, that causes stubborn belly fat. By lowering insulin levels, BSF targets dangerous visceral (belly) fat around the waistline that is driven by the hormone insulin.

Resetting your hormones and getting rid of a hormonal belly is not easy but it can be done. Do your best to make slow and consistent changes in your daily habits, try specific programs designed to help you balance your hormones for weight loss and your body will respond the way you want. Be patient and do not expect instant miracles.

Join the JJ Smith Facebook Community page to connect and chat with people who like you, are taking charge of their hormones, losing belly fat, and getting back into their skinny jeans.

Does it feel like you woke up one morning and couldn’t zip up your favorite jeans? You haven’t changed your eating habits but all of a sudden, you’ve got a new roll of belly fat. Your jeans don’t fit right. Your shirts feel extra tight. And frankly, you’re not feeling super great.

First of all – it’s okay. Yes, this is okay because the great news is, the too tight jeans and annoying muffin top are not permanent. Yes – you can get rid of the extra belly fat and get back to your sexy curvy self. And no, it doesn’t matter if you’re experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms!

I know your hormones are doing crazy things and you’re really not sure what to do or where to start. Trust me, I’ve been there. I started perimenopause at 40 and learned the hard way how to get my curves back and get rid of my belly fat. So, I know what you’re going through. And this is exactly why I wrote this blog.

I want you to understand the connections between perimenopause, menopause, hormonal imbalances, and weight gain. I promise not to overwhelm you with science – I’ll tell you what you need to know about your hormones and how you can reset your hormones and metabolism.

You’ll also learn about a supplement called Hormone Focus that naturally supports hormonal balance. Hormone Focus supports healthy estrogen levels and helps get rid of stubborn fat around the belly, thighs and arms caused by hormonal imbalances. It also relieves hormonal symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, water retention and poor sleep to help you improve your energy, and vitality.

What are hormones?

Hormones are specialized chemical substances in the body, controlling and regulating the activities of other cells and organs.

Your body depends on hormones and the messages they send to regulate every process in your body including appetite, heart rate, sleep cycles, reproductive cycles, sexual function, metabolism, mood, and body temperature.

The Society for Endocrinology explains how hormones are used for two types of communication. “The first is for communication between two endocrine glands, where one gland releases a hormone which stimulates another target gland to change the levels of hormones it is releasing. The second is between an endocrine gland and a target organ, for example when the pancreas releases insulin which causes muscle and fat cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream.”

In other words, everything is connected – for example, healthy liver function is critical for hormone regulation and in keeping the hormones responsible for fat burning and stress management balanced.

The good news is, your hormone health is under your control. Regardless of perimenopause or menopause symptoms, you can reset your hormones and kickstart your metabolism. Join the JJ Smith Facebook Community page to connect with other people, who like you, are taking control of their hormonal health.

What you need to know about perimenopause, menopause and your hormones?

Unfortunately, no one really prepares us for perimenopause and menopause. These very important changes in the female body are taboo topics and this is why so many women struggle with hormonal imbalances, weight gain, belly fat, and frustration.

It’s time to put an end to the lack of information about perimenopause, menopause, and your hormones. Without getting too scientific, here is what you need to know about perimenopause, menopause, and your hormones:

Perimenopause

During perimenopause your estrogen levels begin to fluctuate, and your progesterone levels start dropping. Typically, women begin this hormonal and reproductive transition in their 40s. Perimenopause lasts on average for four years, and in the last few years of this cycle, the drop in estrogen levels accelerates.

According to Healthline, the symptoms of perimenopause can include:

• Hot flashes and heat intolerance.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Menstrual cycle changes.
• Headaches.
• Mood changes, such as irritability.
• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Weight gain.

Menopause

Menopause happens when your menstrual cycle ends. When you’ve had 12 months without a period, you are in menopause. This happens anytime in your 40s and 50s but occurs for most women in their early 50s.

The hot flashes, weight gain, sleep disturbances, headaches, and mood changes associated with perimenopause are linked to the natural changes in your hormone levels and are often referred to as menopause symptoms.

Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone

Estrogen and progesterone are the two main female sex hormones. During perimenopause the production of these hormones fluctuates and ultimately when you reach menopause, your body no longer produces estrogen and progesterone.

These hormones are also critical in developing strong bone health, regulating cholesterol levels, and in helping you maintain a healthy weight.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone, though women also have testosterone. Testosterone is key to building strong bones and maintaining muscle mass. During menopause your testosterone level also drops.

As your estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels change during perimenopause and menopause, your body’s ability to maintain muscle and to regulate your metabolism changes. This is why so many women gain weight throughout perimenopause and menopause.

The five key hormones linked to weight gain and belly fat

Typically, when we talk about losing weight, building muscle, and getting rid of extra belly fat, we focus on diet, exercise, and detoxing the liver.

But the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation emphasizes how hormone changes also cause weight gain, accumulation of belly fat, and a loss in muscle mass.

And this why I want you to know how these five key hormones are linked to weight gain, belly fat, and a sluggish metabolism:

1. Thyroid hormones control your ability to burn calories and convert food into energy. When your thyroid hormones are low, your metabolism slows down, causing weight gain and low energy levels.
2. Leptin is your hunger signal or appetite hormone. This hormone tells you when you’re full and should stop eating. When you consume too many high sugar or high carbohydrate foods, your body stores the extra sugar and carbohydrate as fat. This extra fat creates additional leptin, causing your brain to get confused, ignoring signals to stop eating.
3. Insulin is responsible for converting sugar and glucose from food into energy. Consuming processed foods and those high in sugar or carbohydrates causes your blood sugar levels to spike, and overtime this results in high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes a range of health problems including fatty liver disease and increased accumulation of belly fat.
4. Cortisol is secreted by your adrenal glands when you’re under stress, injured, nervous, or depressed. Too much cortisol can cause insulin resistance, an increase in appetite, and trigger cravings for sugary, salty, and high-fat foods. All of this adds up to weight gain particularly around your belly.
5. Estrogen levels, as I noted above are directly connected to your weight, metabolism, and insulin levels. Remember during perimenopause and menopause, you produce less estrogen. Because your body is used to having estrogen, it looks for it from other sources and one popular source is fat. This kick starts a cycle ultimately resulting in weight gain around the belly and lower body.

How to reset your hormones and metabolism

Do not trust people who tell you weight gain and losing your sexy curves are simply part of aging.

This is simply not true!The truth is this – you can take control of your hormones and metabolism so you can get your curves back, fit into your skinny jeans, and feel fantastic.

If you follow my five tips on how to reset your hormone and metabolism, you will keep turning heads – regardless of your age.

1. Take Hormone Focus Hormone Focus supports healthy estrogen levels and helps get rid of stubborn fat around the belly, thighs and arms caused by hormonal imbalances. Hormone Focus also relieves hormonal symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, water retention and poor sleep to help you improve your energy, and vitality.
2. Eat the rainbow. Look at your plate and try to fill it with as many bright colors as possible. Make sure you’re getting plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal (even breakfast). Try to add these top liver superfoods to your diet and do not overlook the connection between food and your health.
3. Sleep and rest. I know you’re busy and have a lot going on. But your body needs you to slow down and rest. You need to sleep for at least eight hours a night, so your body has a chance to repair cell damage, strengthen your immune system, and rebuild your energy levels.
4. Take care of your liver. Your liver is responsible for metabolizing carbohydrates and fat, regulating your hormones, and creating protein so you can build muscle mass. When your liver is overloaded, it cannot function properly, resulting in weight gain, a sluggish metabolism, and excess belly fat. A natural liver supplement like Liver Focus gives your liver the support it needs to function properly and to naturally improve your fat-burning capabilities.
5. Manage your stress. When your stress level is high your cortisol hormone level increases. This makes it hard to get adequate sleep, changes your mood, and causes you to overeat. Pay attention to signs of fatigue, low moods, and feeling overwhelmed – these are all signs you’re stressed. Take a step back from activities and hit the reset button on your commitments.

Now, remember you cannot kickstart your metabolism and get your hormones balanced overnight. It takes time and patience. Focus on making small changes on a daily basis and soon enough, you’ll be feeling and looking like yourself again.

And I know you have lots of questions about your hormones, belly fat, weight gain, and liver health. Get your questions answered with the insider tips I send out to my mailing list subscribers and remember to join the JJ Smith Facebook Community page.

Whatever your age, hormones play a big factor in your health, wellness, mood, and weight. Yes, you read that correctly. Hormones play a huge part in your ability to lose weight, to stay healthy, and to feel like yourself.

So many of you have contacted me with your questions about hormonal imbalances affecting weight gain, insulin and belly fat, and how to overcome a hormonal imbalance. I decided the best way to help you and share what I know about hormones as it pertains to your health is with this hormone FAQ.

Along with this hormone FAQ, make sure you subscribe to my mailing list to get my insider tips and advice on how to maintain good overall health and achieve a slim, curvy body. Join the JJ Smith Facebook Community page to connect and chat with other people, who like you, are taking charge of their health.

You can also use Hormone Focus to naturally support hormonal balance. Hormone Focus supports healthy estrogen levels and helps get rid of stubborn fat around the belly, thighs and arms caused by hormonal imbalances. It also relieves hormonal symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, water retention and poor sleep to help you improve your energy and vitality.

What are hormones?

Hormones are specialized chemical substances in the body, controlling and regulating the activities of other cells and organs. Your body relies on hormones and the messages they send to regulate every process in your body including appetite, heart rate, sleep cycles, reproductive cycles, sexual function, metabolism, mood, and body temperature.

Men and women have the same hormones, but the amount, how they are produced, and how they interact with other organs and body systems is different.

While the human body creates and circulates 50 different hormone types, most people think of these five hormones when asking about hormones and their health:

1. Thyroid hormones: help regulate your metabolism, weight, energy levels, internal body temperature, and the health of your skin and hair.
2. Insulin: is secreted by the pancreas and processes the glucose and sugar in foods you eat for energy. When your insulin level is too high, sugar and glucose are stored as fat.
3. Estrogen: both men and women have estrogen, but it is much higher in women. Along with being responsible for reproduction, menstruation, and menopause, your estrogen levels have a direct connection with your body fat levels.
4. Testosterone: is the male sex hormone, though women also have testosterone. Testosterone is also responsible for building strong bones and muscles.
5. Cortisol: often referred to as the stress hormone, cortisol helps you feel energetic and healthy. This hormone is responsible for helping you respond to and manage physical and mental stress.

What is hormonal imbalance?

A hormonal imbalance happens when there is too little or too much of a hormone circulating in your blood. All it takes is a small fluctuation in a hormone level to trigger a range of side effects and symptoms in your body.

According to Medical News Today, hormonal imbalances impact both men and women. “Men and women alike can be affected by imbalances in insulin, steroids, growth hormones, and adrenaline. Women may also experience imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels, while men are more likely to experience imbalances in testosterone levels.”

A hormonal imbalance can be the cause of a range of problems including itchy skin, weight gain, low energy levels, and fluctuating moods.

What are the signs symptoms of hormone imbalance?

Because hormones are integral to every aspect of your health and well-being, it’s very easy to overlook the signs and symptoms of a hormone imbalance. You may for example, blame your low mood on stress at work, dry skin on the changing seasons, or attribute extra belly fat to lack of exercise. When in reality, a hormonal imbalance is causing you to store extra belly fat, have itchy skin, or to not feel like yourself.

It’s super important to know the signs and symptoms of a hormone imbalance so you can get on top of the problem and return to feeling and looking fantastic. Because hormones are essential to every function in your body, there are numerous signs and symptoms of a hormonal imbalance.

I want you to be aware of these 10 signs and symptoms of a hormone imbalance, but do not overlook any new or unexplained symptoms:

1. Fatigue and low energy levels.
2. Weight gain, even though you’re eating well and exercising.
3. Difficulties sleeping or night sweats.
4. Mood swings, low mood, or depression.
5. Fluctuating body temperature, including hot flashes.
6. Dry skin and brittle hair.
7. Increased appetite.
8. Changes in your sex drive.
9. Heavy, irregular, or missed periods.
10. Loss of muscle strength, aches, or soreness.

If you are experiencing any of these hormone imbalance signs and symptoms or any other new symptoms, please talk to your doctor – these can be linked to serious underlying conditions which must be addressed

What causes a hormonal imbalance?

Just like the signs and symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, there are numerous causes for a hormonal imbalance. I have highlighted some of the causes of a hormonal imbalance attributed to lifestyle habits.

• Diabetes
• Stress
• Poor diet and nutrition
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Lack of sleep
• what is dextoxing
• Obesity

To see a detailed list of the causes of a hormonal imbalance, including those connected to underlying health conditions, read Everything You Should Know About Hormonal Imbalance.

Which hormones are linked to weight gain and belly fat?

Usually when we think about losing weight and getting rid of extra belly fat, we focus on diet, exercise, and detoxing the liver. However, regulation of key hormones are essential to helping you lose weight, maintaining a healthy weight, and losing extra belly fat.

These five hormones are directly linked to weight gain, belly fat, and a slow metabolism:

1. Thyroid hormones control your ability to burn calories and convert food into energy. When your thyroid hormones are low, your metabolism slows down, causing weight gain and low energy levels.
2. Leptin is your hunger signal or appetite hormone. This hormone tells you when you’re full and should stop eating. However, when you consume too many high sugar or high carbohydrate foods, your body ends up storing the extra sugar and carbohydrates as fat. This extra fat creates additional leptin, causing your brain to get confused and ignore signals to stop eating.
3. Insulin is responsible for converting sugar and glucose from food into energy. When you consume processed food and foods high in carbohydrates or sugar, a trickle-down effect occurs causing high blood sugar levels and eventually insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes a range of health problems including fatty liver disease and an accumulation of belly fat.
4. Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by your adrenal glands when you’re under stress, injured, nervous, or depressed. Too much cortisol can cause insulin resistance, an increase in appetite, and trigger cravings for sugary, salty, and high-fat foods. All of this adds up to weight gain particularly around your belly.
5. Estrogen levels, either too high or too low are directly connected with your weight, metabolism, and ability produce insulin. High estrogen levels can cause problems with the cells that create insulin, causing you to gain weight (even if you aren’t eating high-carbohydrate or sugar foods). During perimenopause and menopause, your body produces less estrogen, causing confusion in your body. Your body reacts by looking for estrogen sources, and one popular source is fat. This need for estrogen and fat, kick starts a chain of responses, ultimately resulting in extra weight gain around the belly and lower body.

How to reset your hormones and metabolism?

Before I highlight how to naturally and safely reset your hormones and metabolism, I want to remind you to never overlook the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. These symptoms can indicate a serious health problem.

Your overall health is your top priority. So please talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing any unexplained symptoms such as weight gain, fluctuating moods, low energy levels, or changes in your period.

When you know your hormonal imbalances are caused by lifestyle habits or body changes attributed to age, you can safely and naturally reset your hormones to kickstart your metabolism with these five tips:

1. Focus on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Remember you are what you eat, and every organ and cell in your body is relying on you to provide the vitamins, minerals, and energy required to keep you healthy. Read about the top liver superfoods and the connection between food and your health.
2. You can also use Hormone Focus to naturally support hormonal balance. Hormone Focus supports healthy estrogen levels and helps get rid of stubborn fat around the belly, thighs and arms caused by hormonal imbalances. It also relieves hormonal symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, water retention and poor sleep to help you improve your energy and vitality.
3. Give your liver the support it needs to function properly. When your liver is overloaded, it cannot metabolize carbohydrates and fat properly, causing your body to store this energy as fat. Take a natural liver supplement like Liver Focus to improve your body’s ability to detoxify and to naturally improve your fat-burning capabilities.
4. Get enough sleep and rest. Your body needs you to sleep at least eight hours a night, so it has a chance to rebuild and recover from the stress of the day. When you sleep, your body repairs any damages to cells, strengthens your immune system, and rebuilds your energy levels.
5. Take control of your stress. Too much stress causes your cortisol hormones to increase, makes it difficult to sleep, changes your mood, and causes emotional eating. Pay attention to when and why you’re stressed and make small changes in your day to better manage this stress. Teach yourself to say “no” when your calendar is full or you’re feeling overwhelmed.

I hope this hormone FAQ answers your questions about how your hormones impact your overall health, well-being, mood, and weight.

If you want to learn more about how I took control of my hormonal health, read my book Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out and watch my video where I talk about hormones, insulin, and your weight.

Stress Fat

Everyone has at least some moments of stress in their life. After all, we’re only human. It’s how we manage and cope with the stress that makes the biggest difference to our health. When the body feels stress it releases a hormone called cortisol that tends to have negative effects on your eating habits.

Cortisol impacts your appetite and decreases the brain’s sensitivity to being full. A big appetite and an insensitivity to fullness is a deadly combo when it comes to controlling your weight. As a result, when people start to feel stress the side effect is overeating without even realizing it! The extra calories from your overeating goes straight to the abdomen where belly fat is stored. In addition to the increased appetite, cortisol also spurs cravings for high carb, sugar and sodium foods – commonly referred to as the pleasure foods. Imagine how hard it is to curve your appetite and eat healthy when your body is constantly craving things like bagels, brownies, or chips.

Think about how much belly fat you have. Does it correlate with the level of stress in your life? We all deal with and manage our stress differently, so find an outlet to reduce your stress and watch the belly fat melt away.

Sleep the Fat Away

Lack of sleep is another big factor which affects cortisol levels and our hormones. If you are going to sleep late or getting less sleep,  your levels of cortisol are higher. High levels of cortisol decrease muscle mass and increases belly fat. Make it a point to try to get 6-8 hours of sleep every night if you want to decrease your chances of gaining belly fat. Your skin, hair, and nails will thank you for it too!

I know sometimes adulthood and parenthood doesn’t allow for 8 hours of restful sleep, and I know stress isn’t always preventable. However, there are lifestyle changes as well as diet and exercise changes we can make to eliminate our body’s instinct to hang onto fat around our belly.

Until next time…

-Xo JJ

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Many researchers have found that the majority of people with weight problems produce too much insulin. For most overweight people, insulin is the enemy. The bottom line for most people is that to get rid of fat they have to reduce their insulin levels. If they want to reduce insulin, they have to take away sugar. Sugar (i.e., refined, starchy carbohydrates) stimulates insulin production. And as we’ve learned from many diet books, reducing carbohydrates is a must. Low-carb diets are initially effective for overweight people because carbohydrates cause the overproduction of insulin, and by cutting out carbs, this overproduction of insulin stops.

However, the key thing to understand is why the body produces too much insulin in the first place. It is due to a hormonal imbalance, which once corrected, will stop the overproduction of insulin in the body. The problem with the low-carb diets is that once you go off those diets, you just gain the weight right back. However, my approach goes further in that it addresses the underlying reason as to why the body is producing too much insulin. Eating fewer carbohydrates helps reduce insulin spikes, but correcting the reason why you produce too much insulin will allow you to address your weight issues once and for all.

Carbohydrates, a key element of the human diet, are abundant in fruits, grains, breads, pastas, cereals, rice, and potatoes. Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy. Carbohydrates are broken down during digestion into a sugar known as glucose. Glucose, the simplest sugar, is the only one that the body can use for energy; every one of the body’s cells needs glucose in order to function. The amount of glucose in your blood is also called your blood glucose level. A normal glucose level in the blood is 80 to 100 mg/dl.

Now, here’s where insulin comes into play. Insulin is a powerful hormone that regulates the glucose levels in the blood. When you have more glucose in your body than your cells need, insulin takes the extra and stores it as fat in the body, allowing your blood glucose levels to return to normal.

Thus, insulin regulates blood glucose levels. But when those insulin levels are too high, it begins storing fat in the body. High insulin levels mean you’ll have more body fat, while low insulin levels mean you’ll have less body fat. Carbohydrates are the foods that cause these insulin spikes that result in excess fat in the body. When you always have unusually high levels of blood glucose in the body, you have a condition known as diabetes, which is potentially very damaging to the body.

Insulin not only regulates blood sugar levels, it also triggers a biological switch that turns off the production of muscle and turns on the production of fat, particularly around the waist and belly area. That’s why you’ll often hear insulin called the fat-storage hormone. Insulin also interferes with the breakdown of fat cells, making it even more difficult for your body to lose weight.

The discussion of insulin’s role in weight gain is one of the most important discussions in my new book, Lose Weight Without Dieting and Working Out! I even provide a quiz to help you determine if elevated insulin levels are causing excess fat storage in your body. Many people find their permanent solution to weight loss in that one section alone. Could this be what is causing you to gain weight?

JJ Smith (www.JJSmithOnline.com) is a nutritionist and certified weight-management specialist who has been featured on The Montel Williams Show, The Jamie Foxx Show and on the NBC, FOX, CBS and CW networks. Her advice has also been featured in the pages of Glamour, Essence, and Ladies Home Journal. Since reclaiming her health, losing weight, and discovering a “second youth” in her forties, bestselling author JJ Smith has become the voice of inspiration to women who want to lose weight, be healthy, and get their sexy back! JJ may be contacted by email at info@jjsmithonline.com and on Twitter: jjsmithonline and Facebook Page: RealTalkJJ