How Health Factors Can Cause Drastic Effects On Your Weight Loss Goals

So, you’ve decided to become active, get fit, and drop your weight with the goal of living a healthier and more enjoyable lifestyle. Congratulations! However, if you’re struggling to shed those pesky pounds, it may have something to do with pre-existing health conditions, as opposed to your diet, exercise regimen and overall level of dedication. Yes, these all play important roles when it comes to shedding weight and getting in shape, but if you think some other sinister force may be at work, it may be time to run some tests on your own body to make sure.

There are many health-related factors that can impact your attempt to lose weight, and not all of them are obvious. Some tend to fly so under the radar that they are overlooked by anyone who isn’t a health care provider. Identifying these potential culprits will help you reach your weight loss goals much quicker, which can help you save time, while giving you peace of mind at the same time. Read on to learn about the most common health factors that can disrupt your weight loss goals.

STRESS

Health care providers and physicians the world over have noted direct and irrefutable links between stress and well-being. We already know that stress can affect mental acuity and focus, while potentially triggering anxiety and depression, as well as physical ailments. However, stress can also have a marked effect on body weight.

People suffering from higher-than-normal levels of stress may have trouble shedding pounds due to the fact that the body enters a state of extreme calorie retention. The more pressured and stressed out you feel, the greater the levels of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline in the body. Even if you’re exercising diligently and eating right, your body is holding on to every single calorie in a state of biological panic. Stress reduction is vital not just for weight loss, but for overall mental health as well, so make sure to do everything possible to get it under control.

HORMONE IMBALANCES

Stress hormones can disrupt weight loss by themselves, but what about other hormone imbalances? Both men and women are affected by different sets of hormones which play a vital role in regulating the body’s important functions such as hunger, energy levels, mood and metabolism. If one or more of these hormones are abnormally high or low, they can cause dramatic effects on your body’s weight regulation.

Great news, however! Testing for hormone imbalances is generally a straightforward and easy affair. In fact, DM6 Health has made it a mission to provide the most convenient at-home hormone testing kits available, allowing you to easily test yourself from the comfort and privacy of your own home. Once you identify any hormone imbalances, you may then pursue appropriate treatments to correct the problem.

GUT BACTERIA

It may seem odd to think of your intestines as a weight regulator, but the science behind the notion is irrefutable. The body’s large intestine alone contains an astronomical number of bacteria, fungi and other organisms which aid metabolism, nutrient absorption, the immune system, and weight. 

The problem arises when too much “bad” bacteria, and too little “good” bacteria exists within the gut microbiome. This can make it much harder for a person to lose weight. To remedy the issue, start eating foods such as probiotic yogurts and fermented foods like sauerkraut, which are designed to aid in overall gut and digestive health.

THYROID PROBLEMS

Your body’s thyroid plays one of the most important roles in overall health, and if it isn’t functioning correctly, a host of issues could develop. Some involve hair loss, sleep disturbances and low energy, but another symptom is weight gain or weight loss. The thyroid regulates triiodothyronine and thyroxine, two vital hormones which regulate the body’s metabolism.

If your thyroid is the culprit, you’ll need to get it under control right away so as to avoid any further health issues down the road. The thyroid is one of the most oft-overlooked parts of the body when it comes to diagnosing any of the aforementioned health issues, particularly weight loss. 

VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES

Exercising regularly won’t do much good if your diet is a mess, which is why it’s important to keep track of your vitamin intake. However, it can be extremely difficult to keep track of them, and a deficiency in just one could be hampering your weight loss goals. It’s quite easy to check if you have a vitamin deficiency, and the solutions are very straightforward. You can either increase intake of foods rich in a particular vitamin, or you can take supplements to boost your levels.

It’s recommended that you test for a vitamin deficiency before attempting to diagnose any other issues you may have. The process is very easy, and can be done with one of DM6 Health’s at-home testing kits, which can net you the results you need in no time, so you can start taking steps to correct any imbalances. 

CONCLUSION

Losing weight is a challenge, but it’s a noble and admirable one! Don’t let your body’s health issues hamper your goal of getting fit and enjoying a healthier, more active lifestyle. By eliminating all the culprits mentioned above through testing and treatment, you can optimize your body and make attaining your weight goals that much easier. DM6 Health is here to help, with our amazing at-home testing kits that allow you to skip wait lines at the clinic, while testing yourself in the comfort of your own home. Samples are sent to our fully accredited clinics staffed by trained and licensed professionals who will analyze the data and send you accurate results you can share with your doctor. With summer looming on the horizon, now is the perfect time to shed that weight and get into shape, so don’t hesitate!