The CDC says about 38 percent of American adults are considered clinically obese and 71 percent are overweight.

Research shows that hormone imbalance can have a huge impact on this back-and-forth weight gain. Now wellness experts are seeing how balancing the hormones can help with weight loss.

In her hormone therapy clinic, Terri Deneui says the benefits of hormone replacement therapy go beyond increased energy levels, mood and libido. She is a nurse practitioner with Evexias Medical Centers and says, "After we would get their hormones balanced and some key nutrients in their thyroid, they would come back the next time and say, 'Wow I've lost ten to 15 pounds and I didn't even try, what's that about.'"

That's what happened to brandy, a nurse practitioner, who had no energy, and a pattern of losing and gaining weight over and over.

Brandy Prince says, "I was obese at 208 pounds and I felt terrible, I felt terrible about myself, I got out of bed every morning and everything just hurt."

Using pellets that are inserted under the skin, Brandy got testosterone, which helped her build muscle and her thyroid levels were increased. She slept better and she lost weight, eventually more than 50 pounds.

Prince says, "So the weight loss was not something that i expected or anticipated, but it was definitely a wonderful benefit."

Deneui says, "Hormones and what's going on inside the body at the cellular level where metabolism actually happens has got to be a part of any kind of weight loss regime, otherwise you are just gonna be spinning your wheels."

Prince says, "It's not just my physical size, but my entire confidence, and my self-esteem has changed. I'm not the same person."

Doctors say this type of hormone therapy has minimal risk factors and few side effects, although patients with a history of breast or prostate cancer may need further evaluation and doctors may consider alternate options for those patients.

Read more:
Balancing hormones and weight loss - UPMatters.com

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