6 Best Ways To Reset Your Hormones And Burn Fat

Hormonal imbalance is one of the causes of unwanted weight gain. If you are unable to get rid of the excess body fats despite reducing your calorie intake and staying active, then hormonal imbalance is probably responsible for your woes. Sluggish metabolism and excess fat buildup in the abdomen usually occur when your hormones are unbalanced. Restoring the optimal levels of the thyroid hormones, insulin, cortisol, leptin, estrogen and testosterone can help in eliminating the unwanted fats and reducing the body weight.

Here Are Some Of The Best Ways To Restore The Normal Hormonal Balance And Burn Fats:

1. Eat Complex Carbohydrate

Carbohydrate is the main fuel source for the human body [1] . They are essential for maintaining the hormonal balance. Low or no-carbohydrate diets do not work in the long term as inadequate supply of carbohydrate accelerates muscle loss and hormonal imbalance. Ideally, to maintain the hormonal balance, carbohydrates should comprise 40% of your daily calorie. The best carbohydrates for maintaining hormonal balance are present in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans and nuts and seeds.

2. Eat High Quality Protein

Protein plays an important role in balancing hormones [2] . Your body needs protein to stimulate glucagon production in the pancreas. It regulates blood sugar balance and helps in breaking down the fats stored in the body. The optimal protein level increases glucagon secretion and increases fat burning. To balance hormones and burn fats, approximately 25% of your daily calorie intake should come from protein. Add high quality protein such as poultry, lean game meat, fish and soy to your diet.

3. Eat Vegetables And Fruits

Vegetables and fruits are rich in fibers, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help in hormonal balance [3] . They are especially effective in maintaining the optimal level of the hormone leptin. Leptin regulates appetite. This hormone makes you feel full and stops overeating. Resistance to leptin makes you overeat. To restore your optimal leptin level and hormonal balance, eat at least five servings each of vegetables and fruits daily. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits. However, limit consumption of sweetened canned fruits, fruit juices and dried fruits as they are high in simple sugar and calories.

4. Eat Omega-3 Fat Foods

Omega-3 fats are known to balance hormones and boost weight loss [4] . These polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for production of hormone-like substances that regulate the body’s metabolic processes. Furthermore, these healthy fats help in maintaining the healthy functioning of the body cells and the mitochondria, the energy producing centers of the cells. Omega-3 fat rich foods help in controlling appetite and food cravings that help in improving blood sugar management. Cold water fish is the best source of omega-3 fats. They are also found in flaxseeds, walnuts and whole grains.

5. Eat Probiotics

Your gut health plays an important role in weight loss [5] . The good bacteria present in probiotics help in maintaining the healthy bacterial balance in the gastrointestinal tract. They help the hormones that regulate metabolism to work more efficiently. They also seem to help in inhibiting unintended production of stress hormones that stimulate cravings and increases accumulation of body fats. By boosting the gut health and digestion, probiotics improve absorption of nutrients vital for maintaining the hormonal balance. Plain yogurt, fermented soy foods and sauerkraut are natural probiotics that you can add to your diet.

6. Exercise

In addition to an appropriate diet, exercise helps in hormonal balance and weight loss. Exercise helps insulin to work more efficiently and improves insulin sensitivity [6] . By lowering the insulin level and promoting insulin sensitivity, it helps in muscle growth, which in turn boosts metabolism and fat burning.