Which Hormonal Body Type Are You?

Apples and bananas and pears, oh my!

While knowing which fruit your body most resembles can help you decide if you look best in boot-cut or straight-leg jeans, finding out which hormonal body type you are can really tell you how your body works.

Accumulating fat is directed to certain parts of your body based on what’s happening to certain hormones.

For example; the stress hormone cortisol directs fat deep in your midsection whereas oestrogen directs fat superficially around your hips and thighs, resulting in cellulite.

These body ‘shapes’ can give clues on what the body is attempting to do.

It has been found that alterations or weaknesses in the functions of glands or organs can contribute to different body shapes or distortions, which are largely designed by the accumulation of excess fluid and fat.

Therefore, body distortions may be an indication of underlying health problems.

Improving the function of the appropriate glands or organs can help optimize the body’s performance and contribute to restoring a more normal body shape.

When these glands are not working properly, it is nearly impossible to keep off excess body weight and inches.

This is evidenced by Australia’s obesity epidemic – not to mention our less-than-optimal diet and current state of health.

 

How Hormones Work in The Body

A hormone is a chemical messenger in the human body.

Hormones are produced by endocrine glands in small amounts, released into the bloodstream and carried to other parts of the body, where they cause specific changes in body function.

The endocrine system can get damaged by the insult of years of consuming excess sugar, low calorie diets and exposure to toxic chemicals, which can disrupt or block glandular function.

Over or underproduction of hormones and disrupted communications can contribute to extensive alteration of body functions.

Various body shapes can develop from improperly functioning glands or organs, as described in the four body types below.

Keep in mind that many people may express a combination of these body types.

 

Ovary Body Type

It has been observed that improperly functioning ovaries may be associated with the ‘Ovary Body Type’.

The ovaries produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which control the development of sexual organs and secondary sex characteristics, including the placement of the fat layer around the body.

The ovarian hormones also interact with pituitary hormones to control the menstrual cycle.

When menopause approaches, the ovaries begin to shut down and the adrenal glands take over for the ovaries and produce the same (or precursor) hormones.

If the adrenal glands are weak, the woman may have problems such as weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats or vaginal dryness.

When the ovaries become dysfunctional they can produce an excess of oestrogen, which can cause more fat production or storage.

It has been observed that there may be an association with the ovary body distortion, exhibited by an enlargement of the lower abdominal region (below the belly button), hips and buttocks.

Below is a list of the potential symptoms that can be experienced by a woman with improperly working ovaries:

  • History of PMS
  • Premenstrual Weight Gain
  • Ovarian Cysts
  • Cyclic Fatigue and Brain Fog
  • Cyclic Pain in the Back, Hips or Knees
  • Cyclic Lack of Libido
  • Infertility
  • Hot Flashes
  • Night Sweats
  • Vaginal Dryness
  • Cyclic Acne
  • Cyclic Mood Swings
  • Excessive Menstrual Bleeding
  • Cyclic Constipation

Knowing the state of your female hormones within your body is the key to decreasing weight that is deposited around the hips and thighs.

The Emed Female Hormone Profile tests Oestrogen (E1, E2, E3), Progesterone, Testosterone and DHEA-S.

 

Adrenal Body Type

Adrenal exhaustion can contribute to the overall body shape shown by the Adrenal Body Type.

The adrenal glands are critically important to the human body to protect itself from the destructive effects of acute and chronic stresses.

Hormones produced by these glands help balance blood pressure and blood sugar and stimulate energy production at the cellular level.

If the adrenal glands become exhausted, the body will no longer handle stress efficiently, contributing to physical, mental and emotional symptoms.

Hormones can stimulate excess fat storage around vital organs (e.g., adrenal glands) and contribute to an enlarged midsection.

Excess and chronic stress can lead to adrenal burnout and this stress can come from multiple sources. Physical sources include chemical toxins from the environment affecting our water, food and air.

Nutritional deficiencies can also be created from the dietary intake of excess sugars, carbohydrates and other stimulants.

Some suggest that the synthetic hormones that come to us by way of animal products, drugs or even certain foods, may influence the hormone control systems. Mental and emotional stresses offer their contributions as well.

Below is a list of the potential symptoms experienced by a sluggish adrenals:

  • Difficulty Getting Out of Bed in the Morning
  • Feel Out of Breath When walking Up Stairs
  • Chronic Fatigue Not Relieved by Sleep
  • Body Weight Accumulation Around Midsection
  • Tired All the Time
  • “Buffalo Hump” on Upper Back (Below Base of Neck)
  • Need for Coffee or Stimulants to Wake Up
  • Fluid Retention, Yet Dehydrated (Thirsty)
  • Craving Salty Foods
  • Dizzy When Getting Up Too Quickly
  • Lack of Energy
  • Requiring Increased Effort to Perform Daily Tasks
  • Decreased Sex Drive
  • Decreased Ability to Handle Stress
  • Increased Time Required to Recover from Illness, Injury or Mild Depression
  • Less Enjoyment or Happiness with Life
  • Symptoms Increased if Meals Are Skipped or are Inadequate
  • Mental Thought Process More Fuzzy; Thoughts Less Focused
  • Memory Less Accurate
  • Decreased Tolerance
  • Tired Between 3:00 and 4:00 pm
  • Decreased Productivity

If you think that this sounds like you, then take an Adrenal Hormone Profile Test. This tests cortisol and DHEA-S and can determine the state of your adrenal hormones and if you are in a stage of adrenal exhaustion.

 

Thyroid Body Type

A sluggish thyroid may contribute to the overall body shape shown in the Thyroid Body Type, with fat evenly distributed over the body.

Thyroid hormones help speed up the body’s metabolism for energy production, fat burning, weight loss, mental activity, intestinal function, growth, repair of tissues, absorption of nutrients and the elimination of wastes in the body.

If the thyroid gland does not make hormones available, many body functions may be slowed down, contributing to fatigue, fluid retention and stubborn weight gain.

Even mild thyroid weakness can have harmful effects on the body.

Below is an expanded list of potential symptoms experienced by a sluggish thyroid:

  • Gradual Steady Increase in Body Weight
  • Fatigue, Sleepiness or Lethargy
  • Feeling of Dullness or Poor Mental Focus
  • Constipation or Sluggish Elimination
  • Cold Intolerance or Can’t Stand Sudden Temperature Changes
  • Hair Loss or Coarse Hair
  • Dry Skin
  • Lack of Interest in Life
  • Low Body Temperature
  • Fluid Retention
  • High Cholesterol
  • Chronic Joint and Muscle Pain and Inflammation

Your thyroid hormones (TSH, Free T3 and Free T4) can be measured and assessed with the Emed Thyroid Hormone Profile. This simple blood test will reflect the state of your thyroid and metabolic health.


 

Liver Body Type

The liver, the largest organ of the body, is a major organ of filtration and detoxification.

Some of its hundreds of functions are associated with digestion, sugar storage and regulation, immune system responses, and important components of the blood.

If the liver becomes damaged or weak, it can cause a “pot belly” appearance – a protruding belly, principally caused by the accumulation of fluid, not fat.

There may be an appearance of a roll of fat or bulging just below the rib cage.

A liver type will often crave the very foods that will stress the liver even more – such as, fatty/fried foods, chocolate or alcohol.

Below is a list of the potential symptoms that can be experienced by a liver case:

  • Foggy Brain in the Morning
  • Pot Belly
  • Lower Tolerance to Fatty Foods
  • Burping or Bloating after Eating
  • Constipation and Hemorrhoids
  • Bad Breath
  • Roll of Fat or Bulging Just Below the Rib Cage
  • Sensation of Fullness over the Rib Cage on the Right Side
  • Irritability or Moodiness, Especially in the Morning
  • Sensation of Overheated Body, Especially the Feet, Especially at Night
  • Allergies, Hives or Other Skin Problems
  • Brown Spots or Bright Red Dots on the Skin
  • Gall Bladder Problems
  • Early Morning Insomnia (Awakens before Alarm Rings)
  • Chemical and Food Sensitivities

 

Further Reading: