Unexplained weight gain - Rejuvenate Health Center

Unexplained weight gain is a frustrating issue that many people face. There are various potential causes of mysterious weight gain to consider. Some potential causes include:

• Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones like cortisol, thyroid hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can lead to unexplained weight gain. Hormonal issues like polycystic ovary syndrome or menopause may be to blame. Getting hormone levels tested by an endocrinologist or hormone clinic like Rejuvenate Health Center can help identify hormonal imbalances.
• Medications: Certain prescription medications like steroids, antidepressants, and seizure medications can cause weight gain as a side effect. Talk to your doctor about alternative meds if you notice weight gain after starting a new medication.
• Stress: High cortisol levels from chronic stress can increase appetite, cravings, and fat storage around the abdomen. Managing stress through yoga, meditation, counseling, or other methods may help.
• Poor sleep: Not getting enough sleep alters hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin, stimulating appetite. Aim for 7-9 hours per night. Consider melatonin if needed.
• Insulin resistance: This prediabetic condition makes it harder for insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells. The excess glucose may get converted and stored as fat. Ask your doctor for bloodwork to test insulin, glucose, and HbA1c levels. Losing weight, exercise, and nutrition changes can improve insulin sensitivity.
• Slow metabolism: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), aging, or loss of muscle mass can slow metabolism, burning fewer calories. Boosting metabolism through strength training, HIIT workouts, and eating metabolism-boosting foods can help. Thyroid medication like levothyroxine helps for hypothyroidism.
• Gut health: An imbalance of gut bacteria and inflammation in the GI tract may cause weight gain. Probiotic and prebiotic foods help feed healthy gut bacteria. Ask your doctor about testing for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or food sensitivities.
• Fluid retention: Excess sodium, medications like steroids, hormone changes, and heart or kidney issues can all cause fluid retention and bloating mistaken as fat. Reducing sodium and taking natural diuretics like dandelion root may alleviate fluid retention. See your doctor about possible underlying causes.
• Poor nutrition: Eating excess calories, sugary foods, refined carbs, and unhealthy fats leads to weight gain over time. Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Watch portion sizes using a food scale. Don't drink your calories.

Cause	Potential Solutions
Hormonal changes	Get hormone levels tested, consider hormone replacement therapy if needed
Medications	Talk to your doctor about alternative medications with fewer side effects
Stress	Practice stress management techniques like yoga, meditation, or counseling
Poor sleep	Aim for 7-9 hours per night, consider melatonin supplements
Insulin resistance	Lose weight, exercise regularly, improve nutrition, ask your doctor about medications like metformin
Slow metabolism	Engage in strength training and HIIT workouts, eat metabolism-boosting foods, consider thyroid medication if needed
Gut health issues	Eat probiotic and prebiotic foods, ask your doctor about testing for SIBO or food sensitivities
Fluid retention	Reduce sodium intake, consider natural diuretics like dandelion root, see your doctor about underlying causes
Poor nutrition	Focus on whole foods, watch portion sizes, limit sugar and refined carbs, don't drink your calories

If you're experiencing stubborn, unexplained weight gain, consult with an endocrinologist or specialist clinic like Rejuvenate Health Center. They can help identify potential hormonal or metabolic factors through comprehensive lab testing and tailor an effective treatment plan to help you achieve sustainable weight loss. In conclusion, unexplained weight gain can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, medications, stress, poor sleep, insulin resistance, slow metabolism, gut health issues, fluid retention, and poor nutrition. By identifying the underlying cause and implementing targeted solutions, you can effectively manage unexplained weight gain and improve your overall health and well-being. Don't hesitate to seek professional help from a qualified healthcare provider or specialist clinic if you're struggling with persistent, unexplained weight gain.