1. An unhealthy gut

Your microbiome is an intricate ecosystem of trillions of bacteria and fungi that plays a pivotal role in regulating your metabolism and weight. An imbalance in this delicate system, also known as bacterial dysbiosis where there is an overgrowth of harmful bacteria compared to beneficial ones, can inhibit your weight loss efforts. Dysbiosis in the gut has been associated with increased inflammation, altered nutrient absorption, and metabolic dysfunction, all of which can make losing weight seem impossible.

For example, studies have shown (1) that the microbiome of people that are overweight and obese are different from those found in people of a healthy weight. It’s also believed that these alterations are what cause changes (2) in the immune system that feed low-grade inflammation and trigger the metabolic changes that occur with obesity and diabetes.

To support a healthy gut microbiome, start incorporating more fiber-rich foods and tak a daily probiotic supplements to help restore bacterial balance. For a complete guide to healing your gut, check out my article here.

2. Chronic stress

Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol, your body’s stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels disrupt hormone balance and  influence insulin sensitivity and imbalanced leptin levels - a hormone that regulates hunger and satiety. When leptin imbalance occurs, your brain turns on all the hunger signals it can to make up for a falsely perceived food deficit. Everything you eat goes straight into fat storage instead of being used for energy. That’s why you can eat all the “healthy” food you want and exercise like crazy but still have trouble losing weight. 

3. Hormone imbalances

Your hormones are responsible for regulating multiple aspects of weight management. For example, imbalances in sex hormones like progesterone and estrogen can significantly impact your ability to lose weight. That’s because estrogen promotes storing energy as fat in certain parts of your body whereas progesterone supports the metabolism of stored fat so that you burn it off. When progesterone levels are low it can result in weight gain as there is not enough of this hormone to prevent estrogen levels from going haywire.

Your thyroid is also responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism. Conditions like hypothyroidism, where your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, can lead to a sluggish metabolism, weight gain, and difficulty losing weight.

Functional medicine labs like a full thyroid panel that includes TSH, T3, and T4, and sex hormone labs, can help identify the specific hormone imbalances holding you back from long-term, sustainable weight loss.