“Have you tried “everything” to lose weight but no amount of calorie counting and healthy eating is making the scale budge? You’re not alone. This is the situation for many people, especially women over age 35 who are particularly vulnerable to some hormonal changes that can challenge our best efforts to get slim. According to Dr. Cobi Slater, PhD, DNM, CHT, RNCP, ROHP, author of: The Ultimate Candida Guide and Cookbook: The Breakthrough Plan for Eliminating Disease Causing Yeast and Revolutionizing Your Health! “The most common systemic imbalances that lead to weight loss resistance in women and men are connected to the extremely delicate symphony of hormones. The key players are the thyroid and adrenal hormones as well as estrogen, progesterone, leptin and ghrelin. Once the body regains balance, the weight comes off easily.” Here are five factors she cites as the most common reasons people can’t lose weight even when they’re “eating right”: 1. Thyroid Imbalance If thyroid hormone levels drop so does the rate of metabolism. The result: reduced energy, depression, digestive weakness, constipation and weight gain. 2. Adrenal Imbalance When we experience chronic stress, the adrenal glands respond with a “fight or flight” reaction through the output of stress hormones, which signal fat storage. Adds Dr. Slater, “Long-term stress causes your body to hang on to every calorie it can in preparation for crisis. There are more cortisol or stress hormone receptors in our stomach than any other area. This is the reason that the ‘spare tire’ forms around the abdomen during times of chronic stress.” 3. Female Hormonal Imbalance The balance between estrogen and progesterone can result in fat, especially belly fat storage. Dr. Slater indicates that “as early as 35 years old, our estrogen and progesterone levels can begin to fluctuate. In an effort to preserve fertility for as long as possible, the body hangs on to extra fat – especially in the belly because this fat can make estrogen.” According to her, an estimated 50% or more of the population is in a state of “estrogen dominance” in which progesterone levels are low in comparison to estrogen, resulting in an imbalance that results in weight gain. 4. Insufficient Sleep When we don’t get enough sleep, the hormones leptin and ghrelin can become out of balance. A “Ghrelin is the ‘go’ hormone that tells you when to eat and is responsible for the hunger feelings. When you are sleep-deprived, ghrelin is produced in larger quantities causing an increase in appetite and cravings. Leptin, on the other hand, is the hormone that tells you to stop eating and when you are sleep deprived, less leptin is produced. A leptin deficiency prevents the brain from telling the stomach that you are full!” shares Dr. Slater. 5. Food Allergies or Sensitivities Inadequate digestion along with toxic buildup and the resulting inflammation and food sensitivities can also be a factor in weight that just won’t budge. It’s a form of chronic stress that increases our adrenal hormone cortisol which results in fat storage. Fat stores also buffer toxins from doing damage to our tissues. Many toxins act as hormones in the body, further disrupting our delicate hormonal balance. What does this mean to you? According to Dr. Slater: “You could be eating all the ‘right’ foods that are actually ‘wrong’ for you! Often people are allergic or sensitive to foods that are seemingly healthy.”” “From 5 Reasons You Can’t Lose Weight” By Michelle Schoffro Cook