Our hormones are key in the optimal functioning of the body. They regulate many and very varied functions such as substance transport, mood, reproduction, and metabolism. But can a diet balance the endocrine system and help us lose weight?
Some of them would be insulin, sex hormones, stress, and mood hormones. Thought as a diet to lose weight and improve people's health, it puts the focus of attention on the relationship between hormonal function and weight loss.
The hormonal diet: a diet to lose weight
The hormonal diet promises weight loss thanks to the re-initiation of hormones. It is based on the idea that the reason that some people find it difficult to lose weight is a hormonal malfunction. Correcting hormonal imbalances in the body is what would allow you to lose weight and keep it off over time.
It also promotes better overall health and detoxification of the body. To achieve this, the key would be eating habits, physical exercise, and nutritional supplementation. Hormonal regulation would be achieved with the food eaten, the time of day when meals are made, and other complementary lifestyle habits.
How does it work?
The diet is designed to be carried out in 3 steps, lasting 6 weeks.
Step 1: 2 weeks detox
In the first step, it is about correcting some eating habits and leaving behind the consumption of some foods and nutrients that are harmful.
Alcoholic beverages, caffeinated beverages, gluten, added sugar, dairy products, red meat, and citrus are not allowed. At the same time, it is recommended to increase the intake of gluten-free vegetables, fruits, fish, soy, vegetable drinks, nuts or whole grains.
In the words of its creator, the diet is defined as a Mediterranean diet with a low glycemic index.
Step 2: food reintroduction
In the second phase, some of the prohibited foods can be reintroduced in the first weeks. The list is long and you always have to pay attention to the individual tolerance of each one of them. It is also encouraged to stop consuming a large number of ultra-processed products.
Step 3: complementary measures to the hormonal diet
Finally, in a third moment, the practice of physical exercise is stimulated to activate hormones and emotional well-being. Likewise, tips are formulated to achieve quality sleep and good stress management.
Is the hormonal diet bad for health?
- If we look at the habits that promote the hormonal diet, we can not say that it is a bad diet or dangerous for health. Carrying out a caloric reduction - without turning our diet into a severe calorie restriction - and promoting the consumption of healthier foods is the basis of many guidelines for losing weight.
- In addition, the consumption of processed foods and beverages is restricted in the hormonal diet. These types of products should not be present in any type of diet, even if weight loss is not sought.
- Another of its strengths is that, apart from focusing on food, it puts the focus of attention on sleep, emotional balance, stress - which we should avoid as much as possible - and physical exercise.
However, it is always recommended that people who want to lose weight follow an individualized program, according to their energy needs and their daily activity. This plan should be gradually adapted to the weight loss achieved.
The problem of hormonal regulation
The main problem of the hormonal diet is that it promises a hormonal regulation that is not clear that it can take place. At the moment, there is no scientific evidence that this is so. There are books on the hormonal diet and how to apply it, but it is not supported by scientific studies.
As we have seen, hormones are involved in the general functioning of our body, beyond the regulation of body weight. That's why pretending to control it just for the purpose of losing weight could backfire.
Furthermore, this diet promotes a great loss of kilos in just two weeks, which would be unhealthy and unrealistic. And it could have a negative impact on the metabolism that would end up generating a subsequent weight gain.
The hormonal diet: another eating plan to lose weight
As we have seen, for the moment, the hormone diet can be classified as a weight loss diet. Although it promotes healthy eating and living patterns, it may not be valid for all people. Not taking into account that many times the rapid reduction of kilos is not a good strategy to lose weight in the long term.
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