Healthy Weight Loss Approach – Hormones Holding You Back?

Take a look in the aisles of the grocery store. We see “fat-free”, “sugar-free”, “carb- free” , and “calorie-free” everywhere. It takes more effort to find the “chemical-free,” doesn’t it? But that is what we truly need in America right now. Foods are becoming more and more chemically altered in an effort to help us lose weight, yet obesity rates continue to soar higher and higher.  This is not a coincidence.

Here’s the thing about hunger.  Hunger isn’t influenced by willpower as much as it is influenced by hormones.  Two major hormones, ghrelin and leptin, influence your cravings. Leptin is a hormone produced by your fat cells, which tells your body that you are full.  Ghrelin is responsible for telling you that your body is hungry.  These two hormones have to be in constant neurological balance for you to know when you are truly hungry and when its time to put down the fork.

When we eat overly processed foods, our bodies don’t recognize them as real food, which causes us to kick out more ghrelin and less leptin.  Now, we’ve already eaten our diet food, yet the brain is still screaming for more.  This is a recipe for disaster.

Chemicals in these “weight-loss foods” can even cause us to get fat. Many diet foods are laden with artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup. Just recently the Corn Refiners Association petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rename high fructose corn syrup to “corn sugar” in an effort to persuade the public into thinking it is a natural product.   Don’t be fooled!  These poisons will actually remain in the body and interfere with the sensors that react to leptin. The overall effect of this is constant hunger, even if your body’s needs have already been met.

So what are we to do? Here is a great way to start:
1. Eat Real Foods – as untouched by man as possible. These are the foods God designed us to eat, and your body knows how to process them properly.
2. Get Adequate sleep.  Sleep will help regulate your body’s ability to heal, hormone patterns, and more.
3. Filter your air and water.  Remove as many environmental toxins from your lifestyle as possible.
4. Exercise.  Daily resistance exercise is critical.
5. Sunshine – we have evolved in the sun and need it to stay healthy.  Hiding behind a smather of sunscreen is dangerous to your health.

Remember – weight loss occurs naturally when we make healthy choices.

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