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Fat Burning Hormones
Your body produces several different fat burning hormones, and it's important to know what they are
and how they affect your body.
Hormones are substances produced by the endocrine system, which is the system of glands and organs
in the body. Hormones control many functions of the body, such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Here's an overview of the primary fat burning hormones. Two of the hormones, testosterone and human
growth hormone, are also anabolic hormones, which means they increase muscle size and strength.
Testosterone. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, but it's also found in females.
On average, females have about one tenth the amount of testosterone that males do. Testosterone is produced by
the testes in males and by the ovaries in females. Testosterone increases lean muscle mass, decreases body fat,
raises metabolism, boosts energy, and increases bone density and strength.
Testosterone levels in men begin to decline once they get into their forties, and levels in women
begin to decline once they approach menopause.
Short, intense workouts, especially weight lifting, increase testosterone levels. But prolonged
workouts, such as endurance training, can decrease testosterone levels.
Make sure to include a small amount of saturated fat in your diet, as saturated fat is necessary for
normal testosterone production. Also, the mineral zinc aids in the production of testosterone.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH). HGH is produced by the pituitary gland. HGH increases lean muscle
mass, decreases body fat, helps keep bones strong and healthy, boosts energy, and helps in controlling blood
sugar and insulin levels.
Your HGH levels peak somewhere between the ages of 21 and 30, and then decline at about 14% per decade.
Just like with testosterone, short, intense workouts, especially weight lifting, increase HGH production.
It's also important to get a good night's rest, since most of your HGH is produced while you sleep.
Thyroxine. Thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland. Thyroxine raises metabolism, which causes
the body to burn more calories. Thyroxine levels increase by about 30% during exercise and remain elevated
for several hours afterward. Regular exercise also increases your thyroxine levels when you're at rest.
Epinephrine. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is produced by the adrenal glands. Epinephrine
is produced at times of acute stress to enhance our capability of "fight or flight." It increases heart rate,
diverts blood to the muscles, constricts blood vessels, and opens the airways. Epinephrine is also produced
during exercise, where it causes the breakdown of stored carbohydrate and fat so they can be used as fuel.
As you can see, fat burning hormones play an important role in keeping your body fit and healthy. The
best ways to keep your body producing these hormones are simple - regular exercise, healthy eating, and
plenty of sleep.
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