Hormonal imbalances can cause excess weight in different parts of the body

Latest research shows excess weight may gather in certain areas regardless of how much you diet or exercise, as a result of hormone imbalances. Lifestyle, diet and genetics play a part. Human bodies evolved to react to danger by producing the stress hormone cortisol, to trigger the release of energy for the ‘fight or flight’ response. Excess cortisol sparks the release of energy in the form of fat and glucose. This is redeposited as fat round the waist.

Eat little and often to keep blood sugar levels stable, as fluctuations can trigger cortisol release.  Eat foods with a low glycemic load, such as apples, wholegrain bread or cashews, which slowly release energy. Too much oestrogen can cause fat to build in the buttocks and thighs. Those fat cells manufacture more oestrogen, and, in turn, more fat is stored. Drinking too much alcohol means the liver can’t clear oestrogen from the blood.

Fat ankles are often the result of fluid retention, which can be caused by a lack of progesterone. Progesterone acts as a diuretic, flushing excess liquid from the body. Bulging calves may be made worse by low levels of human growth hormone, which seems to prompt fat storage in the legs.

Foods rich in vitamin E may boost progesterone. These include sunflower seeds and peanut butter. Reduce sodium intake as this is key in regulating blood pressure and fluid levels, which can help with water retention in the legs and ankles. Avoid processed food such as ready meals. And to boost human growth hormone, get plenty of sleep-HGH is only released at night in adults.

A chubby face, as well as a flabby neck, could be down to too little thyroxine, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. An underactive thyroid slows the metabolism, which may cause bloating. Another symptom is a swollen neck, called goitre, where the thyroid gland becomes a visible bump. Taking a supplement with selenium, which helps body use thyroxine more efficiently.

Human produces a hormone called DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), which is converted into testosterone-DHEA helps build lean muscle mass. When testosterone levels drop too low, muscle mass can be replaced with fat-this is noticeable on the upper arms, which have large muscles.
Women's testosterone levels drop with age, peaking in their 20s, then halving by menopause, but certain foods can help. Consume more protein, such as fish, eggs, tofu and nuts. Zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 also promote testosterone production.

The rolls that hang over the back of your bra could be because of low levels of human growth hormone (HGH). During the night, women’s pituitary glands release human growth hormone, which stimulates fat cells to release energy to repair the body’s tissues. Too little HGH and fat cells don’t receive the message to convert fat into energy. Studies show adults who lack HGH often have a high level of body fat around the trunk, especially the back.

Melatonin-rich foods, such as raspberries, can increase HGH secretion by up to 157 per cent. Melatonin triggers the release of hormones that tell the body it’s time for sleep. Another study found foods high in the amino acid glutamine, such as yoghurt, can raise HGH production.
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Breast cancer gene

Breast cancer is caused by complex interactions between a large number of genetic variants and our environment. The inherited component of breast cancer risk is due to a combination of rare variants in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 that confer a high risk of the disease, and many genetic variants that each confer only a small risk.

The newly identified risk regions nearly double the number that are already known, thereby bringing the number of known common variants associated with breast cancer to about 180.
One in five women are in greater danger of getting breast cancer because of faults in their genes. Women are at risk of breast cancer if their mother, daughter or sister has breast cancer.

For one in five women, the errors written into their genes mean they have almost a third higher chance of getting breast cancer. An unlucky one per cent have three times the risk of the other 99 per cent of the population.

These gene changes now have the potential to be incorporated into existing models to accurately predict an individual's risk, and to improve both prevention and early detection of the disease. The study looked at 11.8 million single-letter 'spelling mistakes' in women's DNA which increase their risk of breast cancer.

The researchers discovered nine more variations affecting the gene BRCA1. In total, they have confirmed 107 genetic variants and discovered 72 new ones. The discovery allowed the team to calculate that one in ten women have a 70 per cent higher risk of getting breast cancer.

About 70 per cent of all breast cancers are fuelled by the sex hormone oestrogen and respond to hormone therapies such as tamoxifen.
Others, known as oestrogen-receptor negative, are not affected by the hormone and are more difficult to treat.

In a second study, the researchers found 10 new variants linked to these cancers, the two cancer types are biologically distinct and develop differently.
Breast cancer susceptibility is due to the effect of a large number of inherited genetic variants, each of which may only confers a slight increase in breast cancer risk, when the strongly predisposing genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are not considered.

The study discovered 65 new variants, some of which are common, have each of which has only a small effect on breast cancer risk, but cumulatively they could be very important in altering a woman's risk of breast cancer.
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Facts about male breast cancer

1. Male breast cancer accounts for about one percent of all breast cancer.

2. High estrogen hormone and family history increase the risk of breast cancer in men.

3. A lump under the nipple is the most common symptom of male breast cancer.

4. Most cases of breast cancer in men develop in men who are 60 years and above.

5. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the most common type of male breast cancer.

6. About 85 percent of breast cancer in men have estrogen receptor on their cell membrane

7. A member of mutated genes have been linked to increase risk of male breast cancer.

8. Causes of male breast cancer is unknown

9. Early detection can prevent the spread of male breast cancer

10. Living healthy lifestyle can prevent male breast cancer.

Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of cancer

According to International Journal of Cancer, Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer, a postmenopausal form of disease with a poor prognosis.

In Netherlands, 63,573 women ages 55 to 69 tracked their diets for more than 20 years to detect impact of diet on  related disease. In the course of the study, 3354 women developed breast cancer, after excluding previous history and cases of Cancer, 2321 breast cancer cases were analyzed.

Post-menopausal estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer was 40% less found in women that eat Mediterranean diet regularly.

Mediterranean diet is plant based diet that leads to sound health, strong bones, and prevention of all forms of disease.