The Effect of Estrogen on the Body and What Happens in Its Absence

at 2:43 PM

There is some hard core science involved relating to the subject of estrogens and metabolism, but I will try to make it as readable and understandable as I can.  According to numerous peer-reviewed studies over the past several years, it is apparent that endogenous estrogens (estrogens that our bodies make- even male bodies make some estrogens) are involved in the regulation of body weight.  It has been reported that estrogens regulate body weight and energy metabolism in the same manner as leptin (remember that leptin is a hormone involved in body weight regulation).  The increase in adiposity ( accumulating fat in the body) is probably due to a decline in endogenous estrogens.  On the other hand, studies have shown that estrogen therapy has positive effects on carbohydrate and lipid (fat) metabolism in over-weight-obese younger postmenopausal women.

Other studies indicate that inhibitors of estrogen attenuate the effects of estrogen on reducing body weight.  Which is an indirect support that estrogen can regulate body weight.  In addition, other studies show that estrogen plays an important role in the maintenance of normal insulin sensitivity (a decrease in insulin sensitivity leads to diabetes).

It is not surprising  that part of the problem in obesity is environmental (too many calories, too much sugar, too much of basically everything) but the other factor is genetic.  And some of us are more genetically susceptible to gaining weight than others.  There are many biological factors that affect the differences in our efforts to become and stay lean and I will write about those factors which mainly have to do with insulin in a future post but now I want to help you understand how estrogen can affect body weight.  Well, let's go back to human physiology 101.  All hormones, whether they are fat hormones like estrogen or protein hormones like insulin bind to a receptor.  A receptor is a molecule on the cell membrane or in the nucleus of the cell that the hormone binds to.  As a result of this hormone-receptor binding other biological pathways can get activated or inactivated depending on the hormone.  Estrogen, like other hormones, binds to receptors.  Estrogen receptors like other proteins in the body are encoded by our genes (our DNA).

According to a study published in the journal Metabolism in 2009, certain genetic variations of the estrogen receptor (these variations within a population are called polymorphisms) are highly correlated with prevalence of  obesity and higher BMI (body mass index).

Without talking about the other hormonal factors that affect obesity and over weight, we know at least one factor (absence of estrogen or a polymorphism of its receptor) can possibly lead to weight gain.  So what are we supposed to do?  We already know the answer...

  Let's not get on a 'diet' which by its name, it implies a temporary painful solution that makes us all miserable.  We need to lead a healthier life style; that is, eating less of the processed foods, more of a plant-based diet, and very very few if any fattening carbohydrates (by these I am primarily talking about, sweets, soda, rice, pasta and bread) and be more active most days of the week.

When we have a genetic predisposition to a disease, in this case obesity, it doesn't mean that we can't create and foster environmental factors that don't alleviate some of those symptoms.  As we get older, we need to pay more attention to what we eat and exercise more often and more intensely, of course if there is some sort of an injury to the joints, muscles or tendons, those needs to be addressed first.

But as we get older, we are not doomed to the early morning water aerobics class.  As we age, we need to step it up.  But to step it up and not get injured we need to manage our weight.