7. Obesity
Obesity, medically defined by a body mass index of 30 or higher, wreaks absolute havoc on the body’s endocrine system (13).
Regardless of the cause of a person’s weight gain, the hormonal consequences are almost universal (14):
- increased inflammation as a result of low androgen levels
- lower levels of growth hormone (GH), which leads to further increase in fat tissue
- increased cortisol levels
- thyroid hormone dysfunction
- high leptin levels and corresponding leptin resistance
Gaining muscle, of course, has a much more positive effect on hormone health.
8. Inflammation
While inflammation can be caused by hormonal imbalance, chronic inflammation can also affect every part of the endocrine system (15).
When inflammation spreads beyond the affected site, it is called systemic inflammation. Uncontrolled systemic inflammation can lead to severe endocrine dysfunction, starting with increased levels of stress hormones.
If not treated and managed, the combination of systemic inflammation and hormonal imbalance starts a domino effect leading to multiple organ dysfunctions (16).