There are generally two hormones that keep people fat…Insulin and Estradiol. These are two of the many hormones that are checked when a person comes in to CMRS for a natural medicine consultation for weight loss. An elevated insulin level is usually indicative of a diet too high in simple carbohydrates. The carbohydrate intake for that particular individual is lowered until the Insulin level falls more in the ideal range.

Insulin is made by the pancreas in response to high blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are generally elevated when a person eats sugar, breads, pastas, grains, and other starchy foods. The best way to lower insulin levels is by eating more protein and less simple carbohydrates. Please beware, however, that eating too much of any food, can raise insulin levels.

This is a key principle for anyone trying to lose weight – keep insulin levels low! Insulin helps the body store fat. For the person desiring to decrease his/her percent body fat, keep insulin levels down. It is that simple.

For many women, the problem is not insulin but estradiol. The woman with high estradiol often has many of the problems that come with this hormone including: menstrual cramps, water retention, irregular menses, fibrocystic breast disease, menstrual headaches, migraine headaches, chronic pain, poor musculoskeletal healing, and weight problems. Estradiol also places the woman at risk for cancer including breast, uterine, cervical, and ovarian cancer. Estradiol is lowered by a low fat, high vegetation diet. This is the classic vegetarian diet, except remember that a diet of too many carbohydrates may contribute to elevated Insulin levels. Leaner sources of protein are incorporated into this diet including fish, chicken, turkey, and soy products, especially Tofu.