11 hormones and enzymes that impact belly fat

Fat cells are part of our endocrine system. They release proteins called adipokines, hormones and other substances like enzymes into the bloodstream to signal to the brain its needs. When there are excess fat cells, The signaling becomes confused, over stimulated and fatigued.

Researchers say that the visceral fat on our abdomens (belly fat) is the most dangerous due to the results of what the fat cells are now telling our bodies.

Let’s look at some of the hormones and enzymes released by fats or that impact belly fat.

11 hormones and enzymes that impact belly fat

1.Leptin

Controls appetite by being released into the blood and telling our brain we are full. Overweight and obese people have more leptin in the blood but it appears as though their body ignores the message that they are full and so they continue to eat beyond their calorie intake requirements.

This is known as leptin resistance and it is unclear why this occurs. Leptin influences insulin and an increase in leptin can also induce insulin resistance.

2.Adiponectin

In healthy weight people, adiponectin levels are quite high, but they drop dramatically in overweight and obese people. What adiponectin does in the body is important for weight control, as it encourages the metabolism of fatty acids, lipids and saccharides and prevents atherosclerosis from developing. It also helps to control blood sugar levels and makes the body more sensitive to insulin. If you have smaller amounts of this released, then the metabolism of fats and sugars will be slowed.

3.Resistin

It is unclear of resistins exact role, but scientists think that the more resistin, the more inflammation you will have, as its linked with inflammatory markers.

4.Oestrogen

Most of our bodies Oestrogen is produced in fat cells. If we have excess fat cells, then we produce too much oestrogen, leading to a condition known as oestrogen dominance. This is linked to conditions such as PCOS, and obesity. Fat distribution linked with excess Oestrogen is accumulated around the belly- the “apple” shape.

5.Armoatase 

Which is involved in sex hormone metabolism. It is an enzyme that helps convert testosterone to an oestrogen. It is in lots of cells, not just fat cells, but having excessive fat cells, stimulates more production.

6.Insulin

This hormone is produced in pancreas and tells our body to absorb glucose and helps metabolise fats and carbohydrates. In an overweight or obese person, insulin signals get lost or ignored, known as insulin resistance, and our bodies do not absorb glucose as well as it should. This is linked tometabolic syndrome and type II diabetes.

7.Ghrelin

Ghrelin is known as the hunger hormone. It’s released in the stomach and tells our body we are hungry. It is highest in our body before we eat, and lowest after. It has more roles than that though, and it also inhibits insulin secretion, and decreases thermogenesis to regulate energy expenditure. Unexpectedly, Ghrelin levels are normally lower in people with obesity, and scientists think they are more sensitive to it.

8.Angiotensin 

Is involved in blood pressure control.

9.Lipoportein Lipase

Participates in fat metabolism.

10.Apolipoprotein E

Involved in storage and metabolism of fat.

11.Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1:

Involved in blood clotting, which is one of the reasons why heart disease and stroke are such high risks when obese.

As you can see, being obese triggers your hormones to support you being obese by encouraging more fat cells.

The hormones that impact our appetite and fat metabolism act in reverse when we are obese, and this leads us to higher risk factors of diseases like heart disease.

The good news, it is preventable and reversible through life style and dietary management!

….Check out the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge for example.

Here at The Healthy Mummy we are all about helping mums lose weight and get healthy. Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge has over 4,000 healthy, family-friendly recipes and more than 350 exercises and 24/7 support from fellow mums to help you achieve your goals.